In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Drutarasa (द्रुतरस) refers to the “liquefied essence (of Awareness)”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñāvivṛtivimarśinī (KSTS vol. 65, 327–331).—Accordingly, “When, further, these elements of prāṇa, body, etc., [already] penetrated by the elixir of Awareness, are thoroughly permeated [by it], they are [then] ‘digested’ like the element of gold [is by mercury], by which [process] their purifier, the ‘liquefied essence’ (drutarasa) [of Awareness] as it were, alone remains—then that too is the state Beyond the Fourth”.

Note: That Abhinavagupta was aware of the basics of alchemy is confirmed by his use of the compound drutarasa, for according to Houben, “initially the mercury remains as fluid as before it started to ‘eat’ the gold etc. but at a certain point its viscosity increases significantly... [it] remains fluid or druta [only] as long as it is not saturated.” Clearly, Abhinava wishes to emphasize that here this saturation does not occur, that Consciousness must be understood purely as a catalyst (something that effects change but is not itself affected): it remains as it is, a dynamic “fluid” essence (druta-rasa = cid-rasa).

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Druta, Rasa, Raca.

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