... the prakasha is the primordial light beyond and behind all manifestations...
The primoridal light is known by a great variety of terms in the non-dual Kashmir Shaiva tradition... The variety of words for light employed by the Shaiva traditon may be thought to derive from the continuous attempt to describe the essentially indescribable contents of yogic experience which include great varieties of powerful and subtle phenomena of light.
(pp. 95-96)
In the Paratrishika-laghuvritti Abhinavagupta explicitly identifies the Heart as the locality where one may find repose in the prakasha-vimarsha:
... Heart is called the place where there is a repose in the pure light and pure consciousness...The gleaming light of the Heart activated by the practice of the mantra severs the knots of the Heart and true knowledge of the Self is attained. Once released, however, this light can in no way be held back: it is unconcealable and unbounded. It begins to spread out from the inner reality of the Heart and invades the entire structure of finiteness. When this happens it transforms the inertness of finitude into the vibrancy of life.When the Heart is free of stains and a light occurs which illuminates the Supreme plane, by immersion in this shining light, one obtains identity with the Supreme Shiva, that is, with counsciousness.
(pp. 98-99)
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