Auspicious Wisdom: The Texts and Traditions of Srividya Sakta Tantrism in South India

Rooting itself in Kashmir Shaivism, Srividya became a force in south India no later than the 7th century, and eventually supplanted the Trika as the dominant Tantric tradition in Kashmir. This is the first comprehensive study of the texts and traditions of this influential school of goddess-centered, Sakta Tantrism. Utilizing canonical works, historical commentaries, and the interpretive insights of living practitioners, this book explores the theological and ritual theories that form the basis for Srividya practice and offers new methods for critical and comparative studies of esoteric Hinduism.