Kashmir Shaivism

Publications by Bhagawaan Gopinath Ji Trust Bhagawaan Gopinathji Trust is designed to be a vehicle for spreading the message of "Bhagawaan Consciousness" - Universal brotherhood; Love and Welfare for All, Hate and ill-will for None; Progress in Life based on Spiritual Values. >>>		Lal Ded: The great Kashmiri Saint-poetess Editor: Dr. S.S. Toshkhani. This book represents the proceedings of a National Seminar on "Remembering Lal Ded in Modern Times" conducted by Kashmir Education, Culture and Science Society in New Delhi on 12 November, 2000. >>>

Lalleshwari - Excerpts from Gems of Kashmiri Literature and Kashmiriyat Lalleshwari did not preach any religion, she even disdained ritual. She projected a way of life quite in harmony without cultural traditions, in which a happy amalgamation was made of what was good in Buddhism and even Islamic. >>>		In the Abode of Saints The land of Kashyap Rishi standing aloft the northern periphery of the Punyabhumi, called Bharat, has been described as the jewel in the crown of the Indian subcontinent. No wonder then that this land of absorbing beauty has, of yore, been the home of gods and goddesses and saints and seers. >>>

Bhajan Books - Govind Amrit - Govind Amrit Sagar - Our Guru Dev		Bhajan Albums - Govind Amrit - Amrit Varshun

Saints And Sages of Kashmir The saints of Kashmir are to Kashmiri Pandits their ancestors and they represent their heritage. Each Pandit has a 'gotra', a link to his clan, established by a Reshi, a saint long ago. >>>		Mystic Trends in Kashmiri Poetry Kashmir has given a lot to the Indian Poetics and Literature. Kashmir has produced many Sanskrit scholars and mystics. The cultural life of Kashmir has had the impress of great mystics. >>>

Shaivistic and Bhakti Roots of Kashmiri Religion To understand the religious divide in the Vale it is necessary to go back to the Shaivite roots of the popular religion. It is important to note that this tradition fits squarely within the greater Indian tradition. The Rigveda presents a monistic view of the universe where an understanding of the nature of consciousness holds the key to the understanding of the world. >>>		Kashmir Saivism Kashmir Saivism, with its potent stress on man's recognition of an already existing oneness with Siva, is the most single-mindedly monistic of the six schools. It arose in the ninth century in Northern India, then a tapestry of small feudal kingdoms. Maharajas patronized the various religions. Buddhism was still strong. Tantric Shaktism flourished toward the Northeast. Saivism had experienced a renaissance since the sixth century, and the most widespread Hindu God was Siva. >>>

Kashmir Saivism and its Echoes in Kashmiri Poetry Kashmir Saivism, like Mahayana Buddhism, has played a key role in the assimilation of different cultures in Central Asia, while adopting the logic of the Buddhist Acharyas; it refuted the fundamental concept of Shunyavad and looked upon the creation of the absolute as real and as the manifestation of the light of intelligence or universal consciousness. >>>		Kashmir Shaivism versus Vedanta - A Synopsis Vedas, which are considered revealed knowledge through the medium of Indian seers (rishis), are revered as mother of all religions in India. They form the matrix of all the theistic philosophies of Indian religions including Kashmir Shaivism. Therefore, the objective here is not to compare Vedas with Kashmir Shaivism but to present their complementary roles in the development of post-vedic India. >>>

Saivism in Prospect and Retrospect The circuitous upper valley of Vitasta, is the famous Kashmir in the Himalayan region. There are Harimukh ( Haramukta ) and Amarnath mounts, branches off from the great Himalayas a little further east, proceeds due south and encircling the sources of Vitasta, turns north west, where it is called Pir Pantsal or Panchaldhara now Banihal range ). >>>		Salient Features of Kashmir Monistic Shaivism Shaivism of Kashmir has developed between the eight and the twelfth centuries of the Christian era. This comparatively younger philosophy has tried to explain all such ambiguities which the ancient philosophers have failed to resolve. Like Advaitavedanta it is monistic, like Vaishnavism it is theistic, like yoga it is practical, like Nayaya it is logical as also appeasing like Buddhism. >>>

Shaivism & Kashmir's Doctrine of 'Recognition' (Pratyabhijna) Kashmir Shaivism & Its Three Divisions:Kashmir Shaivism on the whole, represents a particular religio- philosophical school of the valley. There are three main divisions of the school corresponding to the division of its literature into three Shastras : (1) the Agama Shastra, (2) the Spanda Shastra and (3) the Pratyabhijna Shastra. No. (1) Agama Shastra is believed to be of divine origin. >>>		Fundamental Aspect of Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism The six systems of Hindu Philosophy are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Saankhya, Yoga, Mimaamsa and Vedanta. There are also many other schools of thought in India, but all are the variations of these six systems termed the Hindu Philosophy. >>>

Tantricism in Kashmir Nature has lavishly endowed Kashmir with certain distinctive favours which hardly find a parallel in any alpine land of the world. Set in the womb of the Himalayas and gifted with beautiful and inspiring natural scenery, it emerged as a highly advanced seat of learning from very early times, taking its place along with the famous Universities of Taksasila and Nalanda. >>>		Kashmir Tantrism Tantra Shastra is one of the most misunderstood subjects not only in India but throughout the world. In popular thought and imagination a Tantrik is a person who dabbles in strange, awful and mysterious rites involving visits to cremation grounds and use of wine and women. He is feared also because he is credited with powers of inflicting harm as also of bringing relief and good fortune. >>>

Kashmir Saivism In this article we shall essay a brief exposition of the vision of Reality, the destiny of man, and the way and discipline leading to that destiny, as formulated in the system of spiritual philosophy known as Trika-sasana or Trika-sastra or simply Trika, and, more rarely, also as Rahasya-sampradaya and Tryambaka-sampradaya. It must have been an important system at the time of Madhavacarya to merit an inclusion as Pratyabhijna-darsana in his compendium Sarva-darsana-sangraha. >>>		Kashmir Shaiva Darshana �Kashmira parvati paroksha, tat swami ch Maheshwara� Kashmir is as beautiful as Parvati manifest, and who�s Lord is Shiva himself. This ancient proclamation from the scriptures of Kashmir, and duly recorded by Kalhana in the Rajtarangani, tells in the most intimate terms of the presence of Shiva and Shaivism in Kashmir. Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3

Articles by Virendra Qazi		Articles by Jankinath Kaul 'Kamal'

Other Suggested Readings References on Kashmir Shaivism. >>>		A seminar on Kashmir Shaivism A Seminar conducted by NSKRI >>>

Kashmir Shaivism: Hymn to Shiva Shakti Hymn to Shiva Shakti >>>		Kashmir Shaivism Website Swami Lakshman Joo's official website. >>>