KASHMIR SHAIVISM

[Guest guest]

Namaste and thank you ever so much for sharing this with us !

Om Namah Shivaya

Kanti

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

KASHMIR SHAIVISM

 

 

History tells us about great ancient civilizations. Where

have they gone? To museums, pyramids, history books, Discovery

Channel, etc? But Indian civilization, the ancient creed and

culture, can still be found in every village of India - alive and

kicking!

Kashmir was seat of learning along with Benaras in ancient

Northern India. After a great spell of learning at Benares

discerning people would go to Kashmir for higher studies and

perfecting their philosophies and practices. The Sharda Peth was one

of the famous centres.

The Doctrine Of Recognition ( finding or discovering

yourself as one with the Almighty) also called Pratibhigana Darshan

has been given a popular name by renowned oriental scholar J. C.

Chatterjee as KASHMIR SHAIVISM. In West this fascinating philosophy

is also called by this name.

This philosophy in the present form can be traced to the

eighth Century Sage, Vasugupta to whom Shiv Sutras were revealed.

His famous descendents were Somananda, Utpaldeva and Abhinavgupta

who finally gave a concrete shape and foundation to this philosophy.

Kashmir Shaivism occupies a distinguished position among

the various schools of religious creed and thought. This universal

philosophy focuses on relation between God, Nature and Man, which

overcomes all the barriers of diverse human-cultures. It leads to

the highest level of self-realisation, revealing the inner most

secrets of the nature of Self. All the aspects of life are

integrated and taken in totality. Thus, rather than negation and

denial, it celebrates life.Kashmir Shaivism is the school of

Indian philosophy which can inspire us for both material and

spiritual progress. Rather, the approach is from theory to practice.

Indeed, it leads us to the real " Art of Living".

 

Kashmir Shaivism is presently evoking deep interest in

West, with lot of pioneering research work at leading universities.

It is a matter of concern that nothing much is done in the land of

discovery of this philosophy. We should seriously ponder over this

situation and consider the importance of this philosophy in our

present strife-torn world. A thrill of self confidence, the spirit

of bliss, surpassing all barriers of caste, creed and gender, no

look back, no regret, the inner journey, see everything as creation

of God, etc - how prominently and conceptually these are emphasised

in Kashmir Shaivism. It should be our solemn endeavour to present

this ancient philosophy in common man's language so that a

resurgence takes place with the goal of Upliftment of individual,

social, national and world as a whole.

The prime focus of Kashmir Shaivism is on the Ultimate

Reality called Param Shiva. This basic point is to recognise this

source from which emanates everything and into which merges

everything. Param Shiva is beyond description, beyond all

manifestation, beyond limitation of form, time and space. He is

eternal, infinite, all pervading, all knowing and all powerful. In

fact, this reality is ineffable and beyond all descriptions.

After our stress on this basic reality called Param

Shiva, let us seek and understand this philosophy. Kashmir Shaivism.

It is a process of recognising or discovery of individual soul as

one with the Universal Being through correct knowledge of

the "Descend" from Godhood to manhood. The next is "Ascend" or going

back to Godhood. Lastly great stress is given to "Devotion" towards

the Ultimate Reality called Param Shiva.

As regards the Great Descend, Kashmir Shaivism

postulates 36 categories or "tattvas" to explain the process of

cosmic evolution or universal experience, i.e., from God hood to

veiling or obscuring force of nature called Maya Shakti leading to

various psycho - physical elements and finally the Panch Mahabhutas -

five great elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.

The first outward manifestation of the divine creative

energy is called "Shiva - Tattva". It is the initial creative

movement of Paramasiva and is support of all things in the manifest

world, like the canvas of a painting. Next, the "Shakti-Tattava" is

active or kinetic cosmic energy that effects the divine

consciousness into action.

"Maya" is the veiling or obscuring force of nature that

creates a sense of differentiation. As such, it makes universal

consciousness which is unity, appear as duality and multiplicity.

The result of the limitation of Maya are "Purusha" and "Prakriti",

the limited being and his nature. Here the dual world of mind and

matter is permanently established. This follows various mental

operations, ascertaining intelligence, sense perceptions, ego, etc.

The process is complete finally with the gross Panch Mahabutas as

referred above.

Now, let us consider the Ascend or going back to

Godhood. What is source of pain and frustration- duality and moving

away from Godhood! So, it is natural that we must strive to go back

to Godhood. For this there has to be Shaktipath- the descend of

Divine Grace. In order to earn Grace, one has to undergo spiritual

discipline, known as "Upyas" or Trika Yoga. Depending upon potential

of individual, these means or yoga have been categorised with

particular emphasis as Anupaya(supreme means- Bliss), Shambopaya

(higher means- Will), Shaktopaya(medium means- Knowledge) and

Anvopaya(inferior means- Action). However, it must always be

remembered that descend of the Divine Grace-Shaktipath- is

independent of human efforts.

Kashmir Shaivism emphasises that one has to discover

the inner "Bliss". Let us not suppress the senses, do not torture

the body or mind, etc. Forcible control will lead to adverse effect.

Be as you are. When one discovers inner bliss he/she will give up

fascination for outer worldly enjoyments. Outwardly one may perform

the age old traditions but inwardly he/she has to seek exact truth

through the practices taught in Trika Yoga. There is no restriction

based on colour, creed, gender, etc. in eligibility for initiation

in this Yoga.

As regards "Devotion", it is an essential aid to all

the practices. An aspirant not blessed with devotion for the Lord

can not succeed in the practice or Saivayoga. After inculcating the

principles and treading the path as explained above, we should

surrender and submit to the Ultimate Reality. This will, no doubt,

lead us to the ultimate goal.

 

This philosophy is very relevant for present times. It

inspires us for both material and spiritul progress. It stresses

positive acceptance of material world rather than the philosophy of

escapism. Thus it can serve as a sound basis for organising our

lives. We can rather say that God has made man in His own image. It

is His Own Maya Shakti which makes man to see differently.

Therefore, real joy can be gained as we live in this world and go

about our work. Avoiding suppression and denial like great

puritans, we should exercise moderation in living and turning away

from the ambition of wealth, power and pleasures of senses. This

will prepare us for the inward journey to realise God.

The youth should remember that no problem of individual, society or

nation is to be ignored. A person can not succeed in any aim of life

if he shuts his eyes towards these problems. The whole life of Lord

Krishna as depicted in Mahabharta is a glowing example of practical

Shaivism.

We may enjoy tasteful worldly objects as per the tradition

but consider or ponder over their origin from "the Divine Glory".

This will enable us to look for God in every individual, see

everything as His creation, etc., leading to maximum love and

harmony.

Even as elderly persons we should be totally in world yet

totally liberated from within. This example incorporated in our

lives will definitely create an inspiration for others.

Concluding, let us work for upliftment as our goal. With our

own effort we should change and strive for enlightenment. Let this

change permeate from person to family, to state and nation as a

whole. Leading to universal good this will usher in a peaceful and

conflict free world.

Virendra Qazi, C-2 / 2284, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

( virendraqazi )

Phone:- 6133936, 6892972.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/18/2003 9:25:35 PM Central Standard Time, THUNDERHEALS

writes:

 

> Dear Nileshji:

>

> I simply make malas and am not a Shaivite Scholar in the least.

> But those who love Lord Shiva perceive that the ultimate reality is

> Prakaasha and Vimarsha. Prakaasha is Eternal Light without which nothing

> can appear and is Shiva.

> Vimarsha is Shakti, the mirror in which Shiva realizes His own grandeur,

> power and beauty.

>

> All of Creation comes from these two.

> To realize Shiva is the Highest Consciousness.

>

> In the 13th Century, There was a great saint from the Maharashtra State of

> India named Jnaneshwar Maharaj. He acheived Liberation through his devotion

> of Lord Shiva and wrote an ecstatic commentary of the Bhagavad Gita that is

> called the Jnaneshwari.

>

> He also wrote a beautiful and powerful treatise called "The Nectar of Self

> Awareness". In it he has a truly blissful explanation of the Divine Dance

> of Shiva and Shakti. It is a beautiful example of Shaivite understanding.

> It is very long. I will share excerpts.

>

> "I offer obeisance to the God and Goddess, the infinite parents of the

> Universe.

> The Lover out of boundless Love has become the Beloved.

>

> They sit together on the same ground, wearing the same garment of Light.

> From time past rembrance they have lived thus - United in Bliss.

> How sweet is their Union. The whole world is too small to contain them, yet

> they live happily in the tiniest particle.

> Each is an object to the other and both are subjects to each other. Only

> when together do they enjoy happiness.

>

> Through Her, the absolute Void became the Primal Person and She derived Her

> existence from Her Lord. Shiva formed His beloved Himself and without Her

> Presence no Person exists.

>

> She made evident the Glory of Her Lord by Spreading out Her own Body Form

> and He made Her famous by concealing Himself.

>

> Jnanadev says: "I honor the primal pair of Shiva and Shakti Who, by

> partaking of the sweet dish of name and form, shed light on the Essence

> that supports them. Embracing each other, they merge into one, as darkness

> and light at the breaking of the dawn.

>

> My homage is that of a golden ornament worshipping gold. When salt

> dissolves, It becomes one with the Ocean; when my ego dissolved, I became

> Shiva and Shakti."

>

> (Shri Jnana Devaji is far more eloquent than I will ever hope to be) :-)

>

> Om Namah Shivaya,

> Kanti

>

>

>