In the history of Western representations of Hindu Tantra the writings of Andre Padoux are a watershed mark signifying the coming of age of the discourse.

His writing have finally sloughed off the negative and simplistic views of Hindu tantra. His work opens an enormous corpus of writings to the West.

Where before Woodroffe's translations, drawn haphazardly from many divergent and conflicting sectarian groups, were virtually the only viable representations available to the West, Padoux has interjected a prolific set of texts and interpretations into our discussions.

His work is drawn primarily from 'High Hindu tantra' sources from the Kashmir Shaivite traditions, particularly the systematizing work of Abhinavagupta. His selection of this highly intellectual version of Hindu Tantra is extremely significant as it sets the tone for what is being discussed by contemporary academics.