by Virendra Qazi
The
philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism occupies a
distinguished position among the various schools
of religious creed and thought. It provides the
complete analysis of human personality and delves
into the deepest and most comprehensive psychology
of man. In this way, it makes the greatest
contribution to furthering of human understanding.
In fact, this universal
philosophy focuses on relation between God, Nature
and Man, which transcends all the barriers of
time, place and diverse human-cultures. It leads
to the highest level of self-realisation revealing
the inner most secrets of the nature of Self. It
integrates all the aspects of life, which are
taken in totality. Thus, rather than negation and
denial, it celebrates life. Kashmir Shaivism is
the only school of Indian philosophy which can
inspire us for both material and spiritual
progress. Besides making valuable contribution to
the Indian culture, it is the highest spiritual
philosophy discovered and expressed in the world.
No doubt, Kashmir
Shaivism is presently evoking deep interest in
west, with lot of pioneering research work at
leading universities in Europe and the United
States. It is a matter of concern that nothing
much is done in the land of its birth, rather land
of discovery of this philosophy. We should ponder
over this situation and consider the importance of
this philosophy in this 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
at individual, social, national and world as a
whole. We can conclude without any hesitation that
Kashmir Shaivism is the religion of tomorrow.
DEFINITION
Kashmir Shaivism is a
process of discovery of individual soul as one
with the Universal Being through a process based
on : Correct knowledge of the exact nature of
universal elements. Practice in Trika Yoga. A
highly affectionate and devotional attitude
towards the Absolute Reality.
It is a religio - philosophical system elaborated
mostly in the Pratyabhijna Darsana, which means
re-cognition of self. Siva voluntarily adopts self
- velling and becomes a jiva. The problem for the
jiva is to recognise his self as Siva. The
Pratyabhijna philosophy first gives a description
of ultimate reality, shows how it descends to the
level of the jiva or empirical individcual and how
the jiva can recognise himself as Siva and become
liberated.
Param Shiva is the
ultimate reality who is the nature of Bliss itself
and all complete in Himself. He 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.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF
SAIVA YOGA
Saiva Yoga is not a
practice in suppression of the functions of mind
as taught by Patanjali. It is a practice in
uniting the individual with universal by means of
interesting and blissfull practices as taught in
Saiva scriptures. In fact, out-wardly one may
perform the age old, traditional or vedic rituals
but inwardly he has to seek the exact truth
through some yogic practices taught in Trika
System. Maintaining the semblance of an ordinary
house holder he has not to make any show of the
powers aroused through its practice. There is no
restriction based on caste, creed, gender etc. in
eligibility for initiation in the Saiva yoga. Even
a lowest caste can become a disciple or even a
preceptor if he attains sufficient success in this
practice.
RELEVANCE OF KASHMIR
SHAIVISM
No nation can achieve its
desired national aims without the help of a
suitable philosophy. A deep rooted philosophy can
urge and inspire a nation towards its national
aims. The ancient Indian philosophy took
comprehensive view of human life and was
practicable in that ancient social set up, served
well for thousands of years and India continued to
be a prosperous country flourishing in religion
and philosophy. However, subsequently, impact of
many great thinkers have led us from faith to
reasoning, practice to theory, etc. We were taken
from a practical path of all round progress
towards an idealistic path of mere theories and
suitable only for few people. The result of this
idealistic approach by rulers and thinkers has
been invasion and destruction at the hands of more
practical and powerful foreigners.
Kashmir Shaivism is the
only school of Indian philosophy which can inspire
us for both material and spiritual progress. It
can serve as a sound basis for our national aims
of establishing a welfare state. This philosophy
is to be presented in the present day style in the
light of the psychology of the youngest
generations of our nation. The message for them is
that world should be accepted in totality. No
problem of society, state, nation and individual
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 lord Krishna, as depicted
in Mahabharata is a glowing example of practical
Shaivism.
LALLESHWARI - HER
SPIRITUAL GEMS
While expounding the
relevance of Kashmir Shaivism our deepest
gratitude goes to Lalleshwari, whose teachings
give a unique opportunity to have insight into
this mystic philosophy. She conveyed its essence
in a simple way for benefit of the humanity.
Emanating from the basic
Creed of Kashmir Shaivism she stresses positive
acceptance of the material world rather than the
philosophy of escapism. 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
realize God.
CONCLUSION
Let us work for
upliftment as our goal. With our own self - effort
we should change and strive for enlightenment. Let
this change permeate from man to family, to state
and nation as a whole. Leading to universal good
this will usher in peaceful and conflict free
world.
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