The Triadic Heart of Śiva: Kaula Tantricism of Abhinavagupta in the Non-Dual Shaivism of Kashmir

by Paul Eduardo Muller-Ortega

This book explores one of the most explicit and sophisticated theoretical formulations of tantric yoga. It explains Abhinavagupta's teaching about the nature of ultimate reality, about the methods for experiencing this ultimate reality, and about the nature of the state of realization, a condition of embodied enlightenment. The author uncovers the conceptual matrix surrounding the practices of the Kaula lineage of Kashmir Shaivism.

The primary textual basis for the book is provided by Abhinavagupta's Paratrisika-laghuvrtti, a short meditation manual that centers on the symbolism of the Heart-mantra, SAUH.

"Muller-Ortega's approach is good, clear, intelligent, and perceptive. The translation of the Paratrisika-laghuvrtti given in the appendix, being the first English translation of this short but important text, is a very useful contribution to the study of Kashmir Shaivism, and so are the long and numerous quotations in the text of other works, as yet untranslated into English, of Abhinavagupta." -- Andre Padoux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris

Paul Eduardo Muller-Ortega is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University.

Genres: Hinduism, Religion

342 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1988

About the author

Professor Paul Muller-Ortega, Ph.D., is recognized internationally as one of the world’s most highly respected and renowned academic scholars in the field of Indian Religion and Hindu Tantra. He is the founder of Blue Throat Yoga which teaches the elegant Svatantra philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism along with the practice of Neelakantha Meditation. For more than forty years, Paul has been a pioneer in the technology of Consciousness, lecturing and teaching about meditation and Indian philosophy to hundreds of thousands of people in North and South America, Europe, and India. Through his books, articles, essays, commentaries, and translations, Paul has earned a reputation for his unparalleled scholarly authenticity, as well as being a charismatic teacher with a remarkable capacity to convey esoteric truths and teachings in ways that are fully accessible, relevant, and comprehensible to the western mind.

Reviews

[Todd Settimo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dry rendering of Kashmir Shaivism but a valuable addition to the literature available to a western audience.

[Ekabhumi Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interested Kashmir Shaivism, the Trika, and/or Classical Hindu Tantra should read this book. If only because it has been so highly influential in shaping public opinion on these topics. What is quoted and written here by Paul have been echoed by my teachers and speakers for years. Reading this book felt like encountering someone you've heard about but never met. It's not an easy read for beginners, but once you have a grasp of the basic concepts non-dual Shaivism and common Sanskrit terms, it's a joy.

[Simon Cantin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very deep rendering on this beautiful tradition. It is not the most accessible book though, be sure that you like more academic books before diving into this one. If you are like me you will enjoy it again and again !

[Ellen Stansell, PhD, RYT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, readable, in-depth, sensitive, fascinating!

[Egemen]

very insightful and uplifting