Tantra Sara: The Essence of Tantra (A Poetic Rendering)

Tantra Sara, "The Essence of Tantra", was composed by Abhinavagupta as an encapsulation of his entire philosophy. Abhinavagupta lived sometime during the period of 900-1050 CE, and spent most of his life in Kashmir. He is often considered the foremost exponent of the school known as Kashmir Shaivism.

The Tantra Sara, as the term "săra" indicates, is the "essence" of tantra, of Abhinavagupta philosophy. In its 22 chapters, we are presented with a darsana , a vision, in which all and everything is woven into a complete tapestry of spirituality. Tantra Sára is extremely terse and replete with the technical terms. This is demonstrative of Abhinavagupta genius; consciousness and Nature are described in extraordinary detail. He was a scientist of spirituality in the highest degree.

PREM PRAKASH was born in America and has been a yogi his entire adult life. During his first pilgrimage to India in this lifetime, he was granted a subtle experience of the Divine Mother at an ashram outside Haridwar, on the banks of the Ganga. Since then, he has tried to live his life in Her presence, participating in the lila of the Divine Couple.

Prem Prakash has received initiation from several gurus from authentic lineages. He is the author of many books, magazine articles, essays, poems and songs. His writings and teachings are the result of his own practice and experience. Philosophy is not for intellectual gymnastics; it is meant to inspire and be practically applicable.

In addition to being a yogi, Prem Prakash is also a woodsman, carpenter, mechanic, and a champion powerlifter. He has taught yoga to the diverse groups including the general public, children, seniors, teenagers, and he works with the college athletes to help them fulfill their potential. Most of all, he approaches relationships in the bhavana, the emotional mood, of friendship.

Prem Prakash has received recognition for making a contribution to the transmission of yoga from India to the Western world, including being awarded the title, "Yogi Raj", by the Institute of the Himalayan Tradition.

I would like to thank the fine people at Motilal Banarsidass Publishing for all of their hard work in the publication of this book. Most notably, Mr. Rajendra P. Jain, and Ms. Atika Jain. The writer is often given credit, but this book should be appreciated as the result of the efforts of the entire team involved in its production. These two individuals deserve tremendous credit for the inspiration and presentation of this Tantra Sara.

The Tantra Sara, "The Essence of Tantra," was composed by Abhinivagupta as an encapsulation of his entire philosophy. Abhinivagupta lived sometime during the period of 900-1050 CE., and spent most of his life in Kashmir. He is often considered the seminal exponent of the school known as Kashmir Shaivism. It can be difficult to discern factual details of his life as, is often the case, biography is mixed with hagiography. We can positively conclude that he studied with gurus from across the land, and his philosophy is both comprehensive and his unique contribution based on his personal realization.