This biography of one of the charismatic Indian siddhas, or tantric adepts, prominent in the tantric lineages that were conveyed to Tibet, particularly those concerning Cakrasaṃvara and Vajravārāhī, was compiled by the renowned Tibetan historian Jonang Tāranātha from both written and oral sources. He describes Kṛsṇācārya's training with his own guru, Jālandharipa, his exploits in various parts of India, which included discovery of the Saṃpuṭatilaka Tantra, and his eventual untimely death. His life, which is interesting as much for its setbacks as for its successes, is typical of the siddha tradition to which he belonged. Of the various yogic traditions which flourished in the different regions of India, Kṛsṇācārya was largely responsible for propagating the Caryā tradition in the East. Summarized accounts of Kṛsṇācārya's main male and female disciples, as well as sundry other stories concerning the order of Caryāpa yogis, are also recounted here.
