Hindu Tantra – Vasugupta

According to Hindu Tantra and Tantra Yoga, Vasugupta (860–925) is the author of the celebrated Shiva Sutras.



Vasugupta is believed to have accumulated vast knowledge and acknowledgment through his direct realization of the Godhead. A native of Kashmir and was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, one night Vasugupta is said to have seen Shiva in a dream.



Shiva, in the dream, instructed Vasugupta to go to a particular place called Harvan.
    
There in a forest of Myna Vasugupta came upon a large rock snuggled by the side of a small stream.



Just by a touch of Vasugupta’s hand the huge rock turned over, revealing the mysterious Shiva Sutras to him. This rock came to be called Shankar Pal or the rock of Shiva. Even to this day pious Kashmiri Saivas worship at the holy place. Vasugupta is also said to have written the Spanda Karikas; this is a commentary on the Shiva Sutras. Vasugupta is reputed to have paved the way for later scholars for a cultural and religious renaissance in Kashmir. This is said to have continued for 4 centuries until the aggressive advent of Islam.

Vasugupta is credited with being the founder of that system of Hindu Tantra and Tantra Yoga called Kashmir Shaivism. This spiritual treasure is said to have been gifted by God to the sage Vasugupta. The goal and purpose was the upliftment of humankind; which is why, it is considered to be one of Kashmir Slavism’s most important scriptures.

The Shiva Sutras of Hindu Tantra and Tantra Yoga – called Kashmir Shaivism – are divided into 3 parts. These 3 parts are said to correspond to the 3 means for attainment of liberation as taught in the Kashmir Saivism. These 3 means are for traveling from a person’s limited consciousness to the Universal Supreme consciousness.