Light on the Tantras

original: "Śrī Tantrāloka"

Even while in this body, I am truly liberated. I take refuge in my heart in that True Teacher original: "sadguru", who is a venerable ocean of welfare original: "Śrīmat-Kalyāṇa-vāridhi"; a double-meaning referring to his father and teacher, Kalyanaraja, by whose mere droplets of compassion [I have attained this state]. ||2||

Whose command, like a crest-jewel worn by all kings upon their heads, has swiftly taken refuge in my heart, even though it was hardened by the heavy burdens of worldly existence. ||3||

I have not set out here to win the status of an author, nor to display an unprecedented skill in speech. Rather, my desire is that through the deep study of this work's meaning, the seeker might gain a refinement of thought-constructs vikalpa-saṃskāra|The process of purifying or 'polishing' the mind's conceptual frameworks so they no longer obscure the non-dual truth. ||4||

Line 1: Manuscript G reads: "...I am [liberated] because of the glance of even a small portion of his grace. I bow to the venerable Kalyanaraja, my father and teacher."

Line 2: Manuscript B reads "shriye" implying 'for the sake of splendor'. After this verse, Manuscript G shows two additional verses as follows:

By those teachers, experts in the secret of the Shaiva scriptures original: "Śiva-śāsana-āgama", with deep hearts and rising mercy, glances were cast upon me by those friends of the wretched with unerring speech, eyes reddened by compassion.

Thus, the secret essence of all things spoken by Shiva took refuge in my mind through the cultivation of that inner state, quickly finding a home even though my heart was hardened. These two verses are linked as a pair (yugmam).

Line 3: Manuscript A reads "mūrdhni taṃsa iva"; Manuscript B uses the neuter form "uttaṃsam."
Line 5: Manuscript G reads "māptumnāstapurvam."
Line 6: Manuscript G reads: "The wise have set out to spread their own skill."
Line 8: Manuscript G reads: "My desire" instead of "Our desire".