Tripurarahasyam, of which sage Haritayana is the author, is at present available in two parts: (1) Mahatmyakhanda dealing with the greatness of Goddess Tripura in 6687 verses and (2) Jnanakhanda dealing with Supreme Knowledge in 2163 verses. Srinivasa has written an excellent commentary called tatparyadipika on the jnanakhanda which is the subject matter of the present work. He was a great scholar and initiate of the Srividya school of worship, the philosophy expounded in it does not have any sectarian stamp, religious or intellectual. Its chief concern is with the nature of Consciousness and the Ultimate Reality and the liberation of the individual by realizing it. The advaita (or non-dual) philosophy of the Saktatantra-s and Kashmir Saivism is lucidly explained in the work through many fabulous and interesting stories interspersed with a logical exposition of Transcendental Consciousness which is the Ultimate Reality. There are a few fundamental differences between the philosophy of the non-dual Self presented in this work and that of the traditional teachers like Gaudapada and Sankara. But the end sought to be achieved is the same, viz., cessation of all sorrow and liberation from bondage through the realization of the Self which is Pure Undivided Consciousness, the Ultimate Reality. Great sages like Sri Ramanamaharsi have referred to this work as a valuable text capable of guiding a spiritual aspirant in the path of Self-realization. The voluminous nature of the work containing many narratives interspersed with philosophical discussions have acted as a deterrent to the proper study and appreciation of its greatness. This work is an attempt to present in a condensed and simple form the philosophical foundations of spiritual practice as laid down in the Srividya school of saktatantra-s in the words of Tripurarahasya, providing the necessary links in the text for its proper understanding. Throughout this work, I stands for introduction to the passages that follow, T for the translation of the verses, N for notes thereon and L for the link connecting the earlier passages with the latter. The translations and notes are based on the brilliant commentary of Srinivasa in his tatparyadipika. While condensations are no substitutes for the original work, they provide the opportunity for spiritual sadhaka-s to appreciate the philosophical foundations of their sadhana and its Goal. This increases their conviction about the Goal to be realized and the value of their Quest.
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