About Kshemaraja
Lived 975 – 1025 (aged 49–50). Kshemaraja was a philosopher.
Rajanaka Kṣemarāja (क्षेमराज) (late 10th to early 11th century) was a philosopher disciple of Abhinavagupta, who was considered a master of tantra, yoga, poetics, and dramaturgy. Not much is known of Kṣemarāja's life or parentage. His chief disciple was a sage known as Yogāraja.
Kṣemarāja's magnum opus was the Pratyabhijñāhṛdayam ('The Heart of Self-Recognition'). In this text, Kṣemarāja explains the main tenets of the Pratyabhijñā philosophy in a succinct set of sutras for students. The work occupies the same place in Kashmir Shaivite or Trika literature as Sadananda's Vedantasara does in Advaita Vedanta.
Works Pratyabhijñāhṛdayam Spandasandoha Spandaniraya Svacchandoddyota Netroddyota Vijnanabhairavoddyota, a commentary on the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra Shivasūtravimarśinī, a commentary on the Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta Stavacintamanitika Parapraveshika Tattvasandoha. Pratyabhijñāhṛdayam consists of 20 aphorisms plus a commentary by Kṣemarāja himself. Translations are given by:
Chapter 18 is also commented on by .
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Kshemaraja's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Kshemaraja?
Indian philosopher
When was Kshemaraja born?
Kshemaraja was born in 975 in Kashmir.
When did Kshemaraja die?
Kshemaraja died in 1025.
What was Kshemaraja's occupation?
Kshemaraja was a philosopher.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kshemaraja. https://biography.guide/kshemaraja/
MLA: "Kshemaraja." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kshemaraja/.
Chicago: "Kshemaraja." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kshemaraja/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:28 UTC