Extracts from the Kularnava Tantra

The origin of the five Amnayas is from the five faces of Siva:

Sri Isvara said:
'' I have produced the five Amnayas [Great Traditions] from my Five Faces:
Purva [East]- amnaya,
Paschima, [West]- amnaya,
Daksina [South]- amnaya,
Uttara [North]- amnaya
and Urdhva [upwards facing]- amnaya.
These are the Five Amnayas and all are famous as the paths for Emancipation.'"

Distinctions of Amnayas
''The central Truth of Purva Amnaya is Srsti [creation],
of Daksina is Sthiti [maintenance],
of Pascima is Samhara [destruction],
and that of Uttara is Anugraha [compassion].''

Distinctions of Amnayas on the basis of Paths
''The Path of Purva is Mantra Yoga
of Daksina is Bhakti yoga
of Paschima is Karma Yoga
and of Uttara is Jnana Yoga.''

Distinction of Amnayas on the basis of the number of Principles
''The principles of Purva Amnaya are twenty-four,
of Daksina Amnaya are twenty-five
of Paschima Amanaya are thirty-two,
and the principles of Uttara Amnaya thirty-six''.

In Urdvamnaya there is absence of all of the above:
''Oh Kulnayike! There are none of these in the Urdvamnaya,
being directly from Siva there is no existence of karmas left in it.
Urdvamnaya can only be known from the lips of the Guru.''

Fruits of the knowledge of Amnayas:
''Whoever knows even one of the Amnayas becomes undoubtedly Emancipated.
They become the very Siva themselves.''

The Uttaramnaya is associated with the Himalayan regions, especially Kashmir. Most
branches are Shaivite in nature, but the Uttarakaulas are Shaktas, devoted to the Goddess aspects.