Tripura Rahasya: The Secret of the Supreme Goddess (Spiritual Classics) [Paperback]

Sri Ramanananda (Author)

Book Description

Series: Spiritual Classics | Publication Date: September 6, 2003

A beautifully realized synthesis of the ancient tradition of Advaita Vedanta and Tantra.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ably translated into English ... Tripura Rahasya ... is a dialogue of instruction given by guru Dattatreya to his truth seeker Parasurama. -- Midwest Book Review

Demonstrates the ... non-dual marriage of Vedanta and Tantra that ... characterizes the Goddess traditions of India ... deserves a thoughtful, heartfelt reading. -- Thomas B. Coburn, St. Lawrence University

Tripura Rahasya was considered by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi as one of the greatest works that expounded Advaita philosophy. -- Major A.W. Chadwick, OBE (Foreword to the 1959 edition)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: World Wisdom (September 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941532496
• ISBN-13: 978-0941532495
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Spiritual Masterpiece, June 9, 2005

By 

Thomas - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tripura Rahasya: The Secret of the Supreme Goddess (Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

Tripura Rahasya translates as: The Mystery Beyond the Trinity (the trinity referring to the three states of consciousness: waking, dreaming and deep sleep).

This book is so profound and so moving that it almost has a sense of being alive. It resonates so deeply within, that it feels like an ancient friend guiding you. It is that profound. In the introduction, it is confidently stated that by merely reading this book even just once, enlightenment/self-realization is guaranteed (although not necessarily right away).

This is truly one of the greatest and most marvelous spiritual books around. It is a classic in India, and was regarded by Ramana Maharshi as being a primary spiritual textbook. The book is wonderful in that it is both theoretical (philosophy) and practical. It is well structured and strictly logical in its form, and therefore well suited to the modern rational mind.

The book starts off with the basics (who am I, what is the nature of the world, etc.) and systematically builds to a deeper and more clear understanding of reality, magnificently elucidating the highest and purest knowledge of non-duality (advaita, oneness). It is not an easy book though, and every page needs to be pondered over and meditated upon; and then...applied.

The book Asserts that one's true nature is pure intelligence, which is unlimited, undivided, self-luminous and blissful. This definition of the Self corresponds with the definition given by the philosophy of Vedanta; which is: existence, intelligence and bliss (Sat, Chit, Ananda).

The following quote from the introduction characterizes the non-dual message of the book: "There cannot be manifestation beyond the Supreme Intelligence; therefore Cosmos and the Self are only the same, but different modes of reality. Realisation of the Truth is thus quite simple, requiring only constant remembrance on these lines.... that Reality is not incompatible with the world and its phenomena, and that the apparent ignorance of this Truth is itself the outcome of Reality so that there is nothing but Reality."

Tripura Rahasya has a timeless quality to it. It is at least a thousand years old, but is probably much older. The Indian sage Sankara quotes from it, and he was around in the 9th century. The language is ancient and magical, and has the power to transform consciousness.

Consider yourself fortunate to have come in contact with this amazing book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One needs no other scripture other than the Tripura Rahasaya, August 15, 2007

By 

Pradeep Sebestian "Krish" (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tripura Rahasya: The Secret of the Supreme Goddess (Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

After reading and understanding this scripture, one becomes a Jnani, a knower of the ultimate truth. Then for that person it is just a matter of depleting his/her karma and being alert not to cause more Karma. Karma can be depleted fastest by the practice of Mahavtar Babaji Kriya Yoga for householders who cannot practice fulltime the contemplation/concenteration method prescribed in the Tripura Rahasaya.
If one reads the Tripura Rahasaya and at the same time realizes/comprehends the truth, then there is no need for anything else other than holding their attention/awareness in the spiritual heart(located at space below the sternum) or awaring awareness itself.
Then one feels supreme peace and is liberated. Then it is upto oneself to do what one pleases, either remain in samadhi or perform natural actions forever in eternity. Either way the person becomes a yogi in sahaj samadhi, which is the ultimate samadhi in which one neither accepts or rejects and just becomes part of the ultimate stream of ...

(3 other great liberating scriptures are "Yoga Vasistha" , "Amrithanubhava" and "Ashtavakara Gita"(actually should be Janak Gita)

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dialogue of instruction given by the guru Dattatreya, January 5, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tripura Rahasya: The Secret of the Supreme Goddess (Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

Ably translated into English by Swami Sri Ramananda Saraswathi, Tripura Rahasya: The Secret Of The Supreme Goddess is essentially a dialogue of instruction given by the guru Dattatreya to his the truth seeker Parasurama. Through a series of stories that can be read with amusement and the greatest of imaginative pleasures, the tales also provide a series of wisdoms and insights that illustrate and represent theological implications within Hindu theology and Goddess traditions. Tripura Rahasya is a confidently recommended addition to Comparative Religion collections in general, and Hindu Studies reading lists in particular.