That eternal Supreme Knowledge is both the cause of salvation, and the cause of the created’s bondage in this world. She is the Isvari of the Isvaras of all.
Arthur Avalon in Principles of Tantra translates the passage thus:
That eternal (Supreme) Vidya is both the cause of salvation, and the cause of Jivas’ bondage in Samsara. She is the Isvari of the Isvaras of all.
My notes:
This is the gist of the Tantras. The Tantras stress on the feminine aspects of the Godhead.
Isvari — literally, female God.
Isvaras — male gods (this is not a reference to any polytheism but used here to undercut patriarchy)
Samsara — Falseness of this world (lit. “the vanity or emptiness of the visible world)
Image: Keyway
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