This book presents the historical account of its teachers. To make the reading easy and intelligible its technical terms are explained. The book also explains how Pratyabhijna system was formulated and developed by the great teachers. It contain also essence of Ksemaraja's book Pratyabhijna-hrdaya which explains both the philiosophy and ways of Siva realisation and even a layman can understand what Pratyabhijna is. The book also presents a brief survey of the argument and explains the relevance of Pratyabhijna. The book contains a glossary of technical terms and bibliography to make the reading comprehensive.

"In this world there are some devoted people who are undeveloped in reflection and have not taken pains in studying difficult works, but who nevertheless aspire after the enlightenment that blossoms forth with the descent of Sakti. For their sake the doctrine of recognition is being explained briefly."--Ksemaraja The word pratyabhijna means recognition. All individuals are divine, but they have forgotten their real nature and are identified with their psycho-physical mechanisms. This teaching is meant to enable them to recognize their real nature. It offers the spiritual practice through which they can realize their true Selves. This book occupies the same place in Saiva or Trika literature that Vedantasara does in Vedanta. It avoids all polemics and gives a succinct form for the main tenents of the Pratyabhijna system.

The Paratrisika (or Paratrimsika) is a short Tantra which has been held in the highest esteem by Kashmir Saivism or Trika. After Somananda, Abhinavagupta has written two commentaries on it, a short one (Laghuvrtti) and an extensive one the present Vivarana which is presented here for the first time in an English translation. The Paratrisika Vivarana is one of the most fascinating but also most difficult texts of the Kashmir Saiva School, and of the mystical philosophical literature of India as a whole. It deals with Ultimate Reality (anuttara or para) and with the methods of realization, centred above all in the theory and practice of the mantra. Abhinavagupta displays here his great exegetical genius and presents a penetrating metaphysics of language, of the Word (vak) and its various stages in relation to consciousness. His language reflects in a luminous fashion the mystical experience contained in this text. The present translation of Abhinavagupta's masterpiece will not only be a milestone in the study of Kashmir Saivism, but it also makes available one of the major mystical texts of the Indian tradition to readers interested in philosophy and spirituality. For more information, please head to www.mlbd.co.in

Commentary and supercommentary, with text, on Īśvarapratyabhijñā, classical verse work, expounding the Trika philosophy in Kashmir Sivaism, by Utpala, fl. 900-950.