Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism (Kaśmir Śaivism) is a school of Śaivism consisting of Trika and its philosophical articulation Pratyabhijña, one of the various Hindu philosophies.Flood, Gavin. D. 2006. The Tantric Body. P.56,62,63,66,68,146 It is categorized by various scholars as monisticKashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme, Swami Lakshman Jee, pp. 103 idealism (absolute idealism, theistic monism,The Trika Śaivism of Kashmir, Moti Lal Pandit realistic idealism,The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism, Mark S. G. Dyczkowski, pp. 51 transcendental physicalism or concrete monism.)
The goal of Kashmir Shaivism is to merge with Shiva, the deity who represents Universal Consciousness, to realise one's already existing identity with him by means of wisdom, yoga and grace.Mishra, K. Kashmir Saivism, The Central Philosophy of Tantrism, , pp. 330-334Vijnanabhairava verse 109, dh 85, trans. by Jaidev Singh, p.98
"Kashmir Shaivism has penetrated to that depth of living thought where diverse currents of human wisdom unite in a luminous synthesis." - Rabindranath Tagore (9 May 1861 - 7 August 1941) Nobel Prize in Literature (1913).
==Origin==
Kashmir Shaivism arose during the eighthKashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme, By Lakshman Jee or ninth century CE.For Kashmir Shaivism arising in the ninth century see: Basham, p. 110.The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism, By Mark S. G. Dyczkowski, pp. 4 in Kashmir and made significant strides, both philosophical and theological, until the end of the twelfth century CE.The Trika Śaivism of Kashmir, Moti Lal Pandit, pp. 1
==Concepts==
===Philosophical overview===
Somananda, the first theologian of monistic Saivism, was the teacher of Utpaladeva, who was the grand-teacher of Abhinavagupta, who in turn was the teacher of Ksemaraja.Flood, Gavin. D. 2006. The Tantric Body. P.66
Kashmir Shaivism is philosophically similar to yet distinguished from Advaita: both are non-dual philosophies that give primacy to Universal Consciousness (Chit or Brahman).Pratyãbhijñahṛdayam, Jaideva Singh, Moltilal Banarsidass, 2008 p.24-26 However, in Kashmir Shaivism, all things are a manifestation of this ConsciousnessThe Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism, By Mark S. G. Dyczkowski, p.44 but the phenomenal world (Śakti) is real, existing and having its being in Consciousness (Chit),Ksemaraja, trans. by Jaidev Singh, Spanda Karikas: The Divine Creative Pulsation, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.119 while Advaita Vedanta holds that the supreme, Brahman, is inactive (niṣkriya) and that the phenomenal world is an illusion (māyā).Consciousness is Everything, The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Swami Shankarananda pp. 56-59
Kashmir Shaivism is a householder religion based on a strong monistic interpretation of the Bhairava Tantras (and its subcategory the Kaula Tantras).Flood, Gavin. D. 1996. An Introduction to Hinduism. P.164-167 (In contrast, the similar Advaita Vedanta is based on the Upanishads and Brahma Sutras.Deutsch, Eliot. Dalvi, Rohit. 2004. The Essential Vedanta. Bloomington: World Wisdom. pg. 97) There was additionally a revelation of the Siva Sutras to Vasugupta. Kashmir Saivism claimed to supersede Shaiva Siddhanta, a dualistic tradition which scholars consider normative tantric Shaivism.Flood, Gavin. D. 2006. The Tantric Body. P.61 The Shaiva Siddhanta goal of becoming an ontologically distinct Shiva (through Shiva's grace)Flood, Gavin. D. 2006. The Tantric Body. P.122 was replaced by recognizing oneself as Shiva who, in Kashmir Saivism's monism, is the entirety of the universe. 
The point of view of Kashmir Shaivism can be summarised in the concepts of citi, mala, upaya and moksha, as follows.
# Citi: Universal Consciousness (citi) is the fundamental stuff of the universe.Consciousness is Everything, The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Swami Shankarananda 77-78 This Consciousness is one and includes the whole. It could also be called God or Shiva.
# Mala: Consciousness contracts itself. The one becomes many. Shiva becomes the individual (jīva). This contraction is called mala (impurity). There are three malas, the mala of individuation (Āṇava mala), the mala of the limited mind (māyīya mala), and the mala of the body (karma mala).Kashmir Shaivism, The Central Philosophy of Tantrism, Kamalakar Mishra p284The Doctrine of Vibration, An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism Mark S.G.Dyczkowski p156
# Upāya: An individual caught in the suffering of embodied existence, afflicted by the three malas, eventually yearns to return to his or her primordial state of Universal Consciousness.Consciousness is Everything, The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Swami Shankarananda 118 To attain this, he or she undertakes seemingly difficult sādhana or spiritual practice. While most other paths observe offering incense and external objects to the deity, this path takes on to offering breaths. The individual controls his heart and pulse by reducing it significantly. The final stage is renouncing consumption of food and water. As a result, he/she connects the state of the supreme in the form of Shiva which results in purification of the body and generation of ojas. However, Kashmir Shaivism describes four methods (upāya-s): āṇavopāya, the method of the body, śaktopāya, the method of the mind, śāmbhavopāya, the method of Consciousness, and anupāya the ‘methodless’ method.Kashmir Shaivism, The Central Philosophy of Tantrism, Kamalakar Mishra p339-350
# Mokṣa: The fruit of the individual's sādhana is the attainment of Self-realisation (mokṣa). In Kashmir Shaivism, the state of liberation (mukti) is called sahaja samādhi Consciousness is Everything, The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Swami Shankarananda 98,150 and is characterised by the attainment of unwavering bliss-consciousness while living one's ordinary life.Kashmir Shaivism, The Central Philosophy of Tantrism, Kamalakar Mishra p179The Doctrine of Vibration, An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism Mark S.G.Dyczkowski p191
===Anuttara, the Supreme===
Anuttara is the ultimate principle in Kashmir Shaivism, and as such, it is the fundamental reality underneath the whole Universe. Among the multiple interpretations of anuttara are: "supreme", "above all" and "unsurpassed reality".Para-trisika Vivarana, Jaideva Singh, pages 20-27 In the Sanskrit alphabet anuttara is associated to the first letter - "A" (in devanagari "अ"). As the ultimate principle, anuttara is identified with Śiva, Śakti (as Śakti is identical to Śiva), the supreme consciousness (cit), uncreated light (prakāśa), supreme subject (aham) and atemporal vibration (spanda). The practitioner who realizes anuttara through any means, whether by her own efforts or by direct transmission by the Grace of Shiva/shakti, is liberated and perceives absolutely no difference between herself and the body of the universe. Being and beings become one and the same by virtue of the "erotic friction," whereby subject perceives object and in that act of perception is filled with nondual being/consciousness/bliss. Anuttara is different from the notion of transcendence in that, even though it is above all, it does not imply a state of separation from the Universe.The Triadic Heart of Shiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, pag. 88
===Aham, the Heart of Śiva===
Aham is the concept of supreme reality as heart. It is considered to be a non-dual interior space of Śiva, support for the entire manifestation,, Jaideva Singh, page 194 supreme mantra, Jaideva Singh, page 180 and identical to Śakti., Jaideva Singh, page 127
===Pratyabhijña===
Pratyabhijña is the philosophical articulation of Kashmir Saivism. Pratyabhijña literally means "spontaneous recognition", as it does not have any upāyas (means), that is, there is nothing to practice; the only thing to do is recognize who you are. This "means" can actually be called anupāya, Sanskrit for "without means". Ksemaraja, the student of Abhinavagupta, uses a mirror analogy to explain Pratyabhijña.
===Kaula===
Although domesticated into a householder tradition, Kashmir Saivism recommended a secret performance of Kaula practices in keeping with its heritage. This was to be done in seclusion from public eyes, therefore allowing one to maintain the appearance of a typical householder.Flood, Gavin. D. 2006. The Tantric Body. P.14
===Svatantrya, self-created free will===
The concept of free will plays a central role in Kashmir Shaivism. Known technically as svātantrya it is the cause of the creation of the universe - a primordial force that stirs up the absolute and manifests the world inside the supreme consciousness of Śiva.
In Svātantrya all conscious subjects are co-participant in various degrees to the divine sovereignty. Humans have a degree of free will limited by their level of consciousness. Ultimately, Kashmir Shaivism as a monistic idealist philosophical system views all subjects to be identical - "all are one" - and that one is Śiva, the supreme consciousness. Thus, all subjects have free will and are god/divine but can be ignorant of this. Ignorance too is a force projected by svātantrya itself upon the creation and can be removed by svātantrya and also by Self-knowledge.
One function of svātantrya is granting divine grace - śaktipāt. In this philosophical system, spiritual liberation IS accessible by mere effort, but can be guided by the will/grace of god (i.e. the liberated, the masters). Thus, if the disciple finds such a master, he need only surrender himself and await divine grace to eliminate the limitations that imprison his consciousness.
Causality in Kashmir Shaivism is considered to be created by Svātantrya along with the universe. Thus there can be no contradiction, limitation or rule to force Śiva to act one way or the other. Svātantrya always exists beyond the limiting shield of cosmic illusion, māyā.
==The Siva Sutras==
The first great initiate recorded in history of this spiritual path was Vasugupta (c. 875-925).For dating of Vasugupta as 875-925 see: Flood, p. 167. Vasugupta formulated for the first time in writing the principles and main doctrines of this system.
A fundamental work of Shaivism, traditionally attributed to Vasugupta, is the Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta.For the Shiva Sutras as a foundational work and classification as agama, see: Tattwananda, p. 54. Traditionally, these sutras are considered to have been revealed to Vasugupta by Shiva.For belief that these are revealed scriptures, see: Tattwananda, p. 54. According to myth, Vasugupta had a dream in which Shiva told him to go to the mountain in Kashmir. On this mountain he is said to have found verses inscribed on a rock, the Shiva Sutras, which outline the teachings of Shaiva monism. This text is one of the key sources for Kashmir Shaivism.For summary of the dream leading to the discovery of the Shiva Sutras, and their importance as a key source, see: Flood (1996), p. 167. The work is a collection of aphorisms. The sutras expound a purely non-dual (advaita) metaphysics.For characterization of the content as purely advaita metaphysics, see: Tattwananda, p. 54. These sutras, which are classified as a type of Hindu scripture known as agamas, are also known as the Shiva Upanishad Samgraha (Sanskrit: ) or Shivarahasyagama Samgraha.For alternate names and and classification as agama, see: Tattwananda, p. 54.
==Classification of the written tradition==
The first Kashmiri Shaiva texts were written in the early ninth century CE.Dyczkowski, p. 4.
As a monistic tantric system, Trika Shaivism, as it is also known, draws teachings from shrutis, such as the monistic Bhairava Tantras, Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta, and also a unique version of the Bhagavad Gita which has a commentary by Abhinavagupta, known as the Gitartha Samgraha. Teachings are also drawn from the Tantraloka of Abhinavagupta, prominent among a vast body of smritis employed by Kashmir Shaivism.
In general, the whole written tradition of Shaivism can be divided in three fundamental parts: Āgama Śāstra, Spanda Śāstra and Pratyabhijñā Śāstra.The Trika Saivism of Kashmir, Moti Lal Pandit, pag. IX
1. Āgama Śāstra are those writings that are considered as being a direct revelation from Siva. These writings were first communicated orally, from the master to the worthy disciple. They include essential works such as Mālinīvijaya Tantra, Svacchanda Tantra, Vijñānabhairava Tantra, Netra Tantra, , Rudrayāmala Tantra, Śivasūtra and others. There are also numerous commentaries to these works, Śivasūtra having most of them.The Trika Saivism of Kashmir, Moti Lal Pandit, pag. X
2. Spanda Śāstra, the main work of which is Spanda Kārikā of Bhatta Kallata, a disciple of Vasugupta, with its many commentaries. Out of them, two are of major importance: Spanda Sandoha (this commentary talks only about the first verses of Spanda Kārikā), and (which is a commentary of the complete text).
3. Pratyabhijñā Śāstra are those writings which have mainly a metaphysical content. Due to their extremely high spiritual and intellectual level, this part of the written tradition of Shaivism is the least accessible for the uninitiated. Nevertheless, this corpus of writings refer to the simplest and most direct modality of spiritual realization. Pratyabhijñā means "recognition" and refers to the spontaneous recognition of the divine nature hidden in each human being (atman). The most important works in this category are: Īśvara Pratyabhijñā, the fundamental work of Utpaladeva, and Pratyabhijñā Vimarśinī, a commentary to Īśvara Pratyabhijñā. Īśvara Pratyabhijñā means in fact the direct recognition of the Lord (Īśvara) as identical to one's Heart. Before Utpaladeva, his master Somānanda wrote (The Vision of Siva), a devotional poem written on multiple levels of meaning.The Trika Saivism of Kashmir, Moti Lal Pandit, pag. XI
==Prominent sages of Kashmir Shaivism==
===Abhinavagupta===
All the four branches of the Kashmiri Shaivism tradition were put together by the great philosopher Abhinavagupta (approx. 950-1020 ADTriadic Mysticism, Paul E. Murphy, page 12). Among his important works, the most important is the Tantraloka ("The Divine Light of Tantra"), a work in verses which is a majestic synthesis of the whole tradition of monistic Shaivism. Abhinavagupta succeeded in smoothing out all the apparent differences and disparities that existed among the different branches and schools of Kashmir Shaivism before him. Thus he offers a unitary, coherent and complete vision of this system. Due to the exceptional length (5859 versesTantric Studies in Memory of Hélène Burnner, Alexis Sanderson, page 371) of Tantraloka, Abhinavagupta himself provided a shorter version in prose, called Tantrasara ("The Essence of Tantra").
===Jayaratha===
Another important Kashmiri Shaivite, Jayaratha (1150-1200 AD,Introduction to the Tantrāloka, Navijan Rastogi, page 92), added his commentary to Tantraloka, a task of great difficulty which was his lifelong pursuit.Introduction to the Tantrāloka, Navijan Rastogi, page 102 He provided more context, numerous quotes and clarifications without which some passages from Tantraloka would be impossible to elucidate today.
==Related Teachings==
===Krama===
The term krama means 'progression','gradation' or 'succession' respectively meaning 'spiritual progression'The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page 6 or 'gradual refinement of the mental processes'(vikalpa),The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page 7 or 'successive unfoldment taking place at the ultimate level', in the Supreme Consciousness (cit).The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page 12
Even if the Krama school is an integral part of Kashmir Shaivism, it is also an independent system both philosophically and historically.The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page 2,3 Krama is significant as a synthesis of Tantra and Śākta traditions based on the monistic Śaivism.The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page x As a Tantric and Śakti-oriented systemThe Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page 3 of a mystical flavor,The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page 5 Krama is similar in some regards to Spanda as both center on the activity of Śakti, and also similar with Kula in their Tantric approach. Inside the family of Kashmir Shaivism, the Pratyabhijñā school is most different from Krama.The Krama Tantricism of Kashmir, Navijan Rastogi, page 4,5
The most distinctive feature of Krama is its monistic-dualistic (bhedābhedopāya) discipline in the stages precursory to spiritual realization. Even if Kashmir Shaivism is an idealistic monism, there is still a place for dualistic aspects as precursory stages on the spiritual path. So it is said that in practice Krama employs the dualistic-cum-nondualistic methods, yet in the underlying philosophy it remains nondualistic. Krama has a positive epistemic bias, aimed at forming a synthesis of enjoyment(bhoga) and illumination(mokṣa).
===Spanda===
The Spanda system, introduced by Vasugupta (c. 800 AD), is usually described as "vibration/movement of consciousness". Abhinavagupta uses the expression "some sort of movement" to imply the distinction from physical movement; it is rather a vibration or sound inside the Divine, a throb.Spanda-Kārikās, The Divine Creative Pulsation, Jaideva Singh, page XVI The essence of this vibration is the ecstatic self-recurrent consciousness.Spanda-Kārikās, The Divine Creative Pulsation, Jaideva Singh, page XVIII
The central tenet of this system is "everything is Spanda", both the objective exterior reality and the subjective world.Spanda-Kārikās, The Divine Creative Pulsation, Jaideva Singh, page XVIIThe Triadic Heart of Shiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 118 Nothing exists without movement,Kashmir Shaivism, The Secret Supreme, Swami Lakshman Joo, page 136 yet the ultimate movement takes place not in space or time, but inside the Supreme Consciousness(cit). So, it is a cycle of internalization and externalization of consciousness itself,The Triadic Heart of Shiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 120 relating to the most elevated plane in creation (Śiva-Śakti Tattva).
In order to describe the connotations of the Spanda concept, a series of equivalent concepts are enumerated, such as: self recurrent consciousness - vimarśa,The Triadic Heart of Shiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 119 unimpeded will of the Supreme Consciousness (cit) - svātantrya, supreme creative energy - visarga, heart of the divine - hṛdaya and ocean of light-consciousnessThe Triadic Heart of Shiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 146 - cidānanda.
The most important texts of the system are Śiva Sutras, Spanda Karika and Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra.Kashmir Shaivism, The Secret Supreme, Swami Lakshman Joo, page 137
==The Revival of Kashmir Shaivism in the 20th Century==
Kashmir Shaivism went underground for a number of centuries. While there may have been yogis and practitioners quietly following the teachings, there were no major writers or publications after perhaps the 14th century. In the 20th century Swami Lakshmanjoo, himself a Kashmiri Brahmin, helped revive both the scholarly and yogic streams of Kashmir Shaivism.Kashmir Shaivism, The Secret Supreme, Revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo His contribution is enormous. He inspired a generation of scholars who made Kashmir Shaivism a legitimate field of inquiry within the academy.“Foreword”, Lance E. Nelson in Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism, John Hughes, pp.xxii-ivConsciousness is Everything, The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Swami Shankarananda pp. 47-8
Acharya Rameshwar Jha, a disciple of Swami Lakshmanjoo, is often credited with firmly establishing the roots of Kashmir Shaivism in the learned community of Varanasi. Rameshwar Jha with his extraordinary creativity, innate familiarity with the ancient texts and personal experiences was able to provide easy access to abstruse concepts of non dualistic Kashmir Shaivism to the layman and scholars alike. His original writings of Sanskrit verses have been compiled and published as books Purnta PratyabhijnaPratyabhijna Press Varanasi, Publishers Arun Krishna Joshi, Vijay Krishna Joshi, Nichi bag Varanasi and SamitSwatantram.
Nor should the contribution of Swami Muktananda be overlooked.Lal Ded: The great Kashmiri Saint-poetess, Proceedings of the National Seminar Conducted by Kashmir Education, Culture and Science Society. p12 While himself not belonging to the direct lineage of Kashmir Shaivism, Muktananda felt a great affinity for the teachings which were validated by his own direct experience.Play of Consciousness – A Spiritual Autobiography, Swami Muktananda,p117 He encouraged and endorsed Motilal Banarsidass to publish Jaideva Singh's translations of Shiva Sutras, Pratyabhijnahrdayam, Spanda Karikas and Vijnana Bhairava.Swami Durgananda,‘To See the World Full of Saints’ in Meditation Revolution, Brooks, Durgananda et al, pp96-97Siva Sutras – The Yoga of Supreme Identity, Jaideva Singh p iv He also introduced Kashmir Shaivism to a wide audience of western meditators through his writings and lectures on the subject.Swami Durgananda, ‘To See the World Full of Saints’ in Meditation Revolution, Brooks, Durgananda et al, pp.96-97Secret of the Siddhas, Swami Muktananda, Chapters 9-37
==Contemporary Kashmiri Saivites from Kashmir==
*Lalleshwari (1320-1392)
*Bhagwan Gopinath (1898-1968)
*Swami Lakshman Joo (1907-1991)
==Bibliography==
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==Notes==
==References==
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* Triadic Heart of Siva: Kaula Tantricism of Abhinavagupta in the Non-Dual Shaivism of Kashmir (Suny Series, Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir)
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==External links==
* David Peter Lawrence (2005) Kashmiri Shaiva Philosophy, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
* Piyaray L. Raina, Kashmir Shaivism versus Vedanta – A Synopsis
Category:Hindu denominations
Category:Kashmir Shaivism
Category:Theistic Indian philosophy