“True knowledge liberates; rituals and austerities serve only as preparation.”
The quote above is our paraphrase of verses 1.112–116. There is no public-domain English translation to show, so read the Sanskrit verses in the Sanskrit text, Tantrik Texts vol. V (1917) (opens in a new tab).
About the text: Kularnava Tantra
The Kularnava Tantra is a Sanskrit text of the Kaula tantric tradition, framed as Shiva answering the goddess's questions, and dated by one reference work to between 1000 and 1400 CE. Its 17 chapters deal with the Kula path, the guru and disciple, initiation and worship.
More from the Kularnava Tantra
- “Faith is the cornerstone of the Kaula tradition.”
- “Faith in the Guru accelerates spiritual progress.”
- “The Guru removes ignorance and imparts light.”
- “Liberation requires intense effort and divine grace.”
- “The Guru removes ignorance and imparts divine wisdom.”
- “Self-realization transcends intellectual knowledge.”