Tripurarahasyam : The Secret Beyond The Three Cities (An Exposition of Transcendental Consciousness): Sanskrit text with English Translation

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Tripurarahasya, of which sage Haritayana is the author, is said to consist of 12000 verses in three sections: (1) Mahatmyakhanda dealing with the Greatness of goddess Tripura in 6687 verses, (2) Jnanakhanda dealing with Supreme Knowledge in 2163 verses and (3) Caryakhanda dealing with the conduct of a worshipper. The last mentioned section of the work is not traceable. The present translation of the section on Knowledge is based on the excellent commentary on the work called Tatparyadipika written in the year 1831 A. D. by a great scholar and initiate of the Srividya school of Sakta-s, named Srinivasa, hailing from South India.

Though the work is affiliated to the Sakta School of worship, the philosophy expounded in it is absolutely colourless, without any sectarian stamp, religious or intellectual. In fact, this work is of as much importance to Sakta-s of the Srividya school, as Yoga-Vasistha is to Vedantin-s Without entering into dialectical disputations, if one should dispassionately examine the philosophy and the methodology of both the works, he may find a lot of similarities. The ultimate goal of both the works is the same, viz., the realisation of the non-dual Self which is Pure Consciousness.

A brief account of the background of the work may be relevant here. Sage Haritayana narrates to Risi Narada the teachings of the great ascetic Dattatreya to Parasurama, the famous personality of the itihasa-s and Purana-s. these teachings constitute the entire work. Parasurama was first initiated into the worship of Goddess Tripura by Dattatreya. After sincerely practising the daily rituals and other disciplines of an initiate for twelve years, serious doubts arise in the mind of Parasurama regarding human life, the Universe and the way to lasting happiness. He again approaches Dattatreya for clearing his doubts. Seeing that Parasurama-'s mind, having been purified by his religious disciplines, is fit for the highest knowledge, Dattatreya reveals to him the way to enlightenment through many fabulous and interesting stories interspersed with the liberating Knowledge.

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 from the points of view of the means adopted and the end realized, there is no difference. One hears, reflects on and practices the teachings of a scripture solely for the attainment of the fruit viz., cessation of all sorrow and liberation from bondage. Tripurarahasya serves this purpose as indicated in the following verses in the first chapter:-

"3. I shall tell you now the most wonderful section on Knowledge, having heard which a man never again comes to grief anywhere.

4. This (scripture) has been well-ascertained after considering thoroughly the Wisdom of the Vaidika, Vaisnava, Saiva, Sakta and Pasupata lore.

5. Nothing else would ascend (or get at) one's heart like this Wisdom-teaching as ascertained by the preceptor Sri Dattatreya for his disciple Bhargava.

6. And 7. This scripture is abundantly made interesting (with stories) and is endowed with reasoning and perceptibility. If someone of deluded understanding does not know (the Truth) even by what is told here, he is absolutely ill-fated and is only an (inert) pillar without doubt. He cannot have Knowledge even if ascertained by Lord Siva in person.

No further words are needed to bring out the importance and usefulness of this work to bring out the importance and usefulness of this work to persons aspiring to realize God who is the non-dual Self.

The translator has attempted a faithful translation of the verses without sacrificing their exact sense as brilliantly expounded by the Commentator Srinivasa in his Tatparyadika. In the opinion of the translator, paraphrases or free renderings, especially without the text being given alongside, do not help in appreciating the depth and import of the teachings. Sometimes, they mislead rather than enlighten. However, a literal translation may not sometimes be quite readable due to the difference in the idioms of samskrta and English. Notwithstanding this limitation, the translator has attempted a faithful translation without offending the English idiom very much. Explanatory notes have been added where necessary.

The translator firmly believes that this work is capable of guiding a spiritual aspirant in his path, if approached with eagerness and reverence. He was drawn to this work after coming to know that Sri Ramana Maharsi, one of the greatest sages of the 20th century spoke approvingly of this work and recommended it to his devotees. He hopes that this translation along with the Text will be welcomed by students of Vedanta as well as agama (or Tantra) philosophy.

The translator has consulted the authentic edition of the Text and the Commentary published by Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, in preparing this work. Sanskrit words in the translation are transliterated with diacritical marks.

Back of the Book

In Vedantic tradition, a steadily Self-A ware Sadguru imparts knowledge about he inner perception which would enable the disciple to share the same state, the same beatitude. The disciple should be eager and bursting to know and have unqualified faith in the guru's guidance. We find expressions of this unbroken tradition of guru and disciple in 'Yogavaasishtha', 'Sri Bhagavad Gita' and in this sacred work. The disciple is made aware of the ever-existing Self. This was done by Sri Vasishtha to Sri Rama, by Sri Krishna to Arjuna and in this work by Sri Dattatreya to Sri Parasurama.

Dattatreya takes Parasurama step by step from ignorance born of identification with the body to sahaja Samadhi chiefly through four stories and some parables. As a result, what is usually regarded as difficult to comprehend is made easy. One would be emboldened to enquire into the true nature of the 'I' consciousness and abide naturally as 'That'.

One cannot thank enough 'Samvid' and his facile and knowledgeale pen. Seekers of the spiritual path may be familiar with his translations of 'The Essence of Yogavaasishtha', 'Prabodhasudhakara' and 'The Vision and The Way of Vasishtha'.

This book is a faithful English translation of all the 2163 verse of the 'Jnanakhanda' of 'Tripurarahasyam' dealing with Transcendental Consciousness and is being published along with the authentic text. One might say that, in this book, 'Samvid' has excelled himself. Small wonder, for the book has been inspired by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Samvid's dedication reads: "Dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi who lived constantly in sahaja Samadhi, held as the ultimate Perfection by Tripura-Rahasya."