In this module, students are introduced to the study of Śrīvidyā within the broader context of tantric traditions. We explore what defines a tradition as “tantric” (i.e., esoteric), and examine a range of Śaiva and Śākta-Śaiva tantric traditions that predate the worship of Tripurasundarī.

We also delve into key elements of tantric practice and explore the geographic and historical contexts that shaped Śrīvidyā. Finally, we outline the types of evidence that scholars use to uncover the historical development of a religious tradition, in preparation for the next unit, which investigates the historical precursors to Śrīvidyā.

In this module, we explore the earlier worship of Nityā goddesses and Kāmadeva, the god of love. Building on the instructor’s translation of unpublished manuscripts, we examine several visualizations of the Goddess and study these precursors to Śrīvidyā, along with the significant role that imagery connected to love and desire played in the later tradition.

We investigate shared iconographic elements, the portrayal of female sexuality, and how it was incorporated into the religious tradition. Additionally, we explore the symbolism of colors in visual analogies, the role of sacred sounds and ritual speech in Tantric practice, and the use of metaphors drawn from the natural world. This foundational study sets the stage for the next unit, in which we turn our attention to some of the tantras of Tripurasundarī.

In this unit, we study the earliest tantras (scriptural texts in the form of a dialogue) focused on the worship of Tripurasundarī. In these texts, the teachings are relayed by Śiva to the Goddess, for the benefit of tantric practitioners who happen to overhear the discourse.

The Vāmakeśvarīmata tantra is the earliest extant text that outlines the ritual structure of the Śrīcakra, where Tripurasundarī and her retinue of subordinate goddesses are located. We also examine the Yoginīhṛdaya (Heart of the Yoginī), the second oldest extant scripture centered on Tripurasundarī. This text marks a major turning point in the early history of this Śākta tradition—its reinterpretation within the context of non-dual Śaivism. This shift represented a doctrinal reorientation on a significant scale. From this point on, non-dualism became an integral component of Śrīvidyā scriptures and commentaries.

In the final module, we review existing scholarship on the contemporary tradition, exploring differences in how modern teachers interpret Śrīvidyā, the degrees of secrecy and access, attitudes towards ritual purity and transgression, and the spread of both tantric and popular worship of Tripurasundarī beyond India and Nepal.

We also sample devotional texts dedicated to this Goddess and conclude by examining what has allowed this tradition to endure and adapt to cultural changes, while remaining remarkably stable in its ritual practices.