Vasugupta was an influential philosopher and scholar in ancient India, known for his contributions to the field of Shaivism, a major tradition within Hinduism that worships Shiva as the supreme god. He lived around the 9th century CE in the region of Kashmir and is best known for authoring the Shiva Sutras, a foundational text that outlines the principles of Kashmiri Shaivism. His teachings emphasized the importance of direct experience and realization of the divine, advocating for a non-dualistic understanding of reality. Vasugupta's work has had a lasting impact on various spiritual and philosophical traditions, influencing later thinkers and practitioners in the realm of Indian philosophy.