Invocation of Well-Being original: "Svasti-vacika"

A remarkable philosophical thought-process ascended to the pinnacle of fame in the world under various names, such as Trika-darshana Trika philosophy, Krama-darshana Krama philosophy, Kaula-mata or Kaula-tantra, and Svacchanda-tantra. It became established in Kashmir during the early medieval period. Within only three centuries, it made both its theoretical and meditative aspects invincible. By defining liberation as the recognition of the self’s own nature original: "sva-rupa ki pehchan", this philosophy attained immense popularity and became well-established among scholars and practitioners as Pratyabhijna-darshana Philosophy of Recognition.

However, the speed with which this philosophy associated with Shaiva-tantra reached the peak of perfection and popularity was matched by the speed with which it became obsolete and nearly unknown. The reason for this was the destruction of the Sarasvata intellectual/literary environment of Kashmir, which was besieged by the terror of the Islamic religion. Due to the exodus of brilliant thinkers, practitioners, and commentators, and the destruction of social welfare, this great philosophical thought remained limited to only a few texts. Its meditative aspect almost vanished entirely.

Although the Pratyabhijna-darshana of Kashmir is considered to have been established by Acarya Utpaladeva, its tradition proves to be even earlier than Utpala. In the auspicious opening verses of his Shivadrushti-vrutti, Utpaladeva himself identifies Acarya Somananda, who originated from the Triyambaka lineage, as his teacher—

Located in the middle of the pearl-like pure lineage of Sri Triyambaka,
This is a reflection of the knowledge of Sri Somanandanatha.

(Ishvarapratyabhijna-vivrti, Mangala 2)

I am establishing the connection of words in the Shivadrushti-prakarana,
Which was elaborated by the Guru in the Ishvarapratyabhijna.

(Shivadrushti-vivrti, Mangala-shloka 3)

In this way, this new, well-formed path has been revealed by me,
Just as it was spoken by the great Gurus in the Shivadrushti-shastra.

(Ishvarapratyabhijna-karika, 4.16)