Tantraloka

Authored by the great master of the great Maheśvara, the venerable Ācārya Abhinavagupta.

Accompanied by the commentary titled 'Viveka' Discernment, authored by the venerable Ācārya Jayaratha.

A horizontal decorative divider with a central diamond-shaped floral motif and tapered ornamental ends.

The First Chapter

A horizontal decorative divider, identical to the one above, separating the chapter heading from the verse.

From whom the diversity of the universe arises, in whom the planes of bliss and consciousness are established, whose supreme power alone manifests as all this, of such a nature—may that Reality, the non-dual essence of the Trika the threefold system of Kashmir Shaivism, full of absolute freedom, reveal itself within my mind, destroying the veil covering the mystery of the teachings and scriptures of Śiva. [1]

Note 1: Some manuscripts read "From whom the diverse activities..." while others read "The essence of the Trika is the non-dual reality...".