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Index Page
by Jayaram V
Abhinavagupta was a famous Kashmiri Philosopher, who lived
some time between
the 10th and 11th century AD.
Through his immortal compositions and commentaries in Sanskrit, he
played an important role in the revival of Kashmiri Saivism. He codified and systematized the tantric principles, practices and
philosophy of Kashmiri Saivism and established its underlying connection
with the Vedic tradition. He is also recognized for his contribution in
the field of arts. His Abhinavabharati, a commentary on the Natyasastra
(a treatise on dance) of Bharata Muni, is regarded as an authoritative
classical work on the subject. According to tradition, he was born in a Brahmin
family, to Vimala and Narasimhagupta, who were great devotees of Lord
Shiva. He acquired the knowledge of various Shastras from over 15
teachers belonging to different traditions including Vaishnavism and
Buddhism.
Followers of Saivism revere Abhinvagupta as a Siddha Yogi of highest
calibre, who brought to light the secrets and
transcendental awareness of Shaktipath or the path of Shakti, made
popular in recent times by Swami Muktananda and Swami Nityananda.
According to Abhinavagupta, the world was permeated with the presence of
Shiva and Shakti and man could realize the presence of the same
divinities within himself by regulating his sensory experience and by
coming into contact with his inner vision and divine sound currents. The
importance of sense organs, our mundane existence and our sensory
experiences on the path of liberation should not be undermined. The body
and the mind were important instruments in achieving higher
transcendental states. They were the playground in which Shakti would
play out her dutiful role and ultimately facilitate the inner
transformation by the grace of Siva. There was no need to discard them
or treat them harshly. Some of his important works are:
- Tantraloka, The World of Tantra. It deals with the
principles and practices of Kashmiri Saivism
- Tantrasara, The Essence of Tantra, which summarizes in
prose many concepts and practices of Tantraloka.
- Devotional poems on such topics as consciousness, universal
self, transcendental experience, various inner and outer divinities
and finally Siva and Shakti.
- Philosophical works on Pratyabhigna and other subjects.
- Commentaries such as Natyasastra of Bharatamuni and works
of some famous ancient authors such as Kalidasa and Anandavardhana.
Suggested Further Reading
Footnotes
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