Tripura Tantra (Sri Vidya): Its Philosophy and Path of Sadhana

Summary

Y. S. Shastri’s extensive article introduces the Tripura Tantra, focusing on the Śrī Vidya tradition of worshipping the goddess Tripurasundarī as the supreme reality. He begins by situating Śrī Vidya within the broader Tantric landscape and emphasises that liberation (mokṣa) is the ultimate goal, even in the Śākta context. The philosophy of Śrī Vidya synthesises non‑dualism with the worship of the Divine Mother, positing that consciousness and energy are one and that the universe is a manifestation of the goddess’s will. Shastri explains key metaphysical concepts such as the tripartite division of the cosmos (macrocosm, microcosm and causal state), the equivalence of Śiva and Śakti, and the role of the Śrī Cakra as a diagrammatic representation of reality. He then outlines the stages of sādhanā: initiation by a guru, mantra‑japa, worship of the Śrī Yantra, meditation on the deity’s form and attributes, and internal realisation through kundalinī awakening. The article references classical scriptures like the Bhavanopaniṣad and commentaries by Bhāskararāya to illustrate the importance of purity, devotion and knowledge. Throughout, Shastri emphasises that Śrī Vidya practice harmonises ritualistic devotion with philosophical inquiry, leading devotees from external worship to internal identity with the goddess.