The Way to Supreme Bliss (24th Chapter of Paramanandatantram being an exposition of the Path to Self-realization)

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About the Book:

The Way to Supreme Bliss. (24th chapter of paramanandatantram being an exposition of the Path to Self-realization) Translated with extensive notes by Samvid. This is a companion volume to the "Essence of Tripurarahasya", containing in a short compass, the most effective practices leading the sadhaka to Self-realization. Mahesvaranandanatha has written an excellent commentary on this esoteric work which is an invaluable guide to the understanding of this crowning chapter of paramanandatantra. Samvid's translation and notes closely follow this superb commentary of a great scholar and initiate of the srividya school. This work will serve as a reliable guide to all spiritual seekers in their practice since it gives the quintessence of sadhana for Self-realization and liberation.

About the Author:

This important work forming part of Paramanandatantram is held as an authoritative treatise on Srividya worship the most important branch of the Sakta tradition. Like most other tantrika works, it is in the form of a conversation between Siva and his Consort Devi.

Mahesvaranandanatha wrote an excellent and extensive commentary on this esoteric work of the Srividya tradition in the Kali Year 4929 (177 years ago). Mahesvaranandanatha, being a full initiate of the Srividya School and a great scholar, has given the authentic interpretation of the entire work (consisting of 3322 Verses). Though the, consisting of 25 chapters is full of ritualistic details the 24th Ullasa containing 219 Verses and titled "Adhyatma-kathana" gives a concise but complete account of the knowledge which liberates the sadhaka and the means to realize it so that the ultimate purpose of Srividya worship can be achieved by the sadhaka in his or her life time.

Mahesvaranandanatha's detailed commentary is an invaluable guide to the understanding of this crowning chapter of the work.

This authoritative work will serve as a reliable guide to all spiritual seekers in their practice since it gives the quintessence of sadhana for self realization and liberation.

Publisher's Preface:

We are happy to publish this important work forming part of Paramanandatantra, an authoritative work on Srividya worship. It is a work of great practical value to all spiritual seekers following the paths of Yoga, Vedanta, Srividya worship or Self-enquiry as expounded by Sri Ramanamaharsi. In a short compass, it gives the essence of the most effective means to Self-realization which is the ultimate goal of all spiritual effort. The translation and notes by Samvid incorporate the gist of the authentic interpretation given by Mahesvaranandanatha supplemented by traditional teachings on the topics dealt with in the book. We trust that all spiritual seekers will welcome this publication.

Samata Books

Introduction:

Paramanandatantra is an important tantrika work which is held as an authoritative treatise on Srividya worship, the most important branch of the Sakta tradition. Like most other tantrika works, it is in the form of a conversation between Siva (in his manifestation as Bhairava) and his consort, Devi. The Saubhagya tradition of Srividya worship considers this work as complete and independent, dealing with every aspect of Srividya worship culminating in Self-realization. Mahesvaranandanatha (which is the Diksa name of Cintamanisarma) wrote an excellent and extensive commentary (titled "Saubhagyanandasandoha") on this esoteric work of the Srividya tradition in the Kali year 4929 (177 years ago). Mahesvaranandanatha, being a full initiate of the Srividya school and a great scholar, has given the authentic interpretation of the entire work (consisting of 3322 verses), replete with mantra-s, esoteric elements of worship and yogic and meditative practices of great value not only to sadhaka-s of the Srividya tradition, but to the followers of other schools of worship as well. The acme of Srividya worship is Self-realization by transcending physical and mental limitations and achieving absorption in transcendental undivided Consciousness which is the Ultimate Reality. This is the ultimate goal of all spiritual sadhana.

Though the work consisting of 25 chapters if full of ritualistic details with all the mantra-s, yantra-s mudra-s and other auxiliary elements used in worship, the 24th Ullasa containing 219 verses and titled "Adhyatma-kathana", gives a concise but complete account of the Knowledge which liberates the sadhaka and the means to realize it so that the ultimate purpose of Srividya worship can be achieved by the sadhaka in his or her lifetime. Mahesvaranandanatha's detailed commentary is an invaluable guide to the understanding of this crowning chapter of the work.

An authentic edition of the original work and the commentary has been published by the Research Institute of Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, which has been consulted by the translator in preparing this translation and notes. In this work, the verses are preceded by short statements introducing the subject (marked I) and followed by the translation (marked T) and notes (marked N) based on the commentary of Mahesvaranandanatha. The translator hopes that this presentation of this little known, but authoritative work will serve as a valuable guide to all spiritual seekers in their practice since it gives the quintessence of sadhana for Self-realization and Liberation.

The philosophy of the work, in common with most saktatantra-s, derives from the monistic school of Kashmir Saivism. But the translator has avoided the complex philosophical discussions based on this school included in the commentary since the work is mainly intended to guide the seekers in their spiritual practice.

Samvid