Kashmir Shaivism

By Dr. Virendra Kazi
Email: lalleshwari_int_trust@hotmail.com

We Seek the Grace of Lalleshwari (Lal-Ded)
While expounding the relevance of Kashmir Shaivism our deepest gratitude goes to Lalleshwari (14th century saint poetess), 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. Let us open our heart to her, submit to her and seek her grace.
Introduction
This unique philosophy is fascinating the world because it addresses these very issues, which are quite relevant to present times. It leads to highest level of self-realisation. It gives a practical art of living because all the aspects of life are integrated and taken in totality. Thus, rather than negation and denial, it celebrates life. A thrill of self confidence, the spirit of bliss, surpassing all barriers of creed, colour and gender, no look back, no regret, the inner journey, see everything as creation of God, etc.- these are features of Kashmir Shaivism. It can create upliftment at individual level and lead to love and harmonious World.

Param Shiva – The Ultimate Source
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.

Process of Universal Manifestation -from Godhood to Manhod
From Param Shiva let us come to universal manifestation; let us have a look at this creation of Lord. Kashmir Shaivism postulates 36 categories or tattvas to explain the process of cosmic evolution. We should keenly focus our attention on this process of universal evolution or universal experience, i.e., from Godhood 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.

Shiva Tattva is first manifestation of divine process and support of all things in the manifest world, like the canvas of a painting.

Shakti Tattva 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.

Purusha and Prakriti is limited being and his nature due to limitations of Maya. This leads to various mental operations, ascertaining intelligence, sense perceptions, etc. The process is complete finally with the gross Panch Mahabutas as referred above.

Bondage and Liberation through Divine Grace (Shaktipath).
What is source of pain and frustration- duality and moving away from Godhood! Frankly, it is individual’s self-forgetfulness or ignorance of his/her own perfection. Rather, the Divine Sport makes him/her accept limited desires and experience their consequences, thus leading from bondage to bondage. So, it is natural that we must strive from bondage to liberation or moksha and go back to Godhood. For this there has to be Shaktipath- the descent of Divine Grace. However it must always be remembered that descent of the Divine Grace - Shaktipath - is independent of human efforts.

Ways to earn Divine Grace - Trika Yoga.
In order to earn Grace, one has to undergo spiritual discipline, known as Upyas or Trika Yoga. 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.

The aim is to undergo a practice which unites the Individual with the Universal” by means of interesting and blissful practices as taught in Shaiva scriptures. 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.

Depending upon potential of individual the practices (Yoga) have been categorised as supreme, higher, medium or inferior means.

Anupaya: This yoga is supreme means- immediate through the speediest descent of God’s grace. So in this path to liberation no active process on the part of the individual is involved.

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