Kaula or Kula describes a type of Hindu tantrism reckoned by Gavin Flood to derive from Kapalika or "shmashana asceticism", and to divide into northern, eastern, southern and western schools across the subcontinent. The Kaula tradition is sometimes more simply divided into two main branches, Purva Kaula and Uttara Kaula. The Kaula lineage is closely linked to the Siddha and Natha traditions.

Kaula or Kula describes a type of Hindu tantrism reckoned by Gavin Flood to derive from Kapalika or "shmashana asceticism", and to divide into northern, eastern, southern and western schools across the subcontinent. The Kaula tradition is sometimes more simply divided into two main branches, Purva Kaula and Uttara Kaula. The Kaula lineage is closely linked to the Siddha and Natha traditions.