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Principle of Shakti in Kashmir Shaivism (Study)

by Nirmala V. | 2016 | 65,229 words

This page relates ‘Metaphysical Motifs of Shakti� of the thesis dealing with the evolution and role of Shakti—the feminine principle—within the religious and philosophical framework of Kashmir Shaivism. Tantrism represents an ancient Indian spiritual system with Shakti traditionally holding a prominent role. This study examines four major sub-streams: Kula, Krama, Spanda, and Pratyabhijnā.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 2.1 - The Metaphysical Motifs of Śپ

[Full title: Reflective Awareness and Freedom: The Metaphysical Motifs of Śپ]

Kashmir Ś establishes two fold conceptualizations of Śپ viz., absolute and relative. It is also represented as the central theme of new theory introduced by the philosophy named (difference unity).[1] The absolute reality of monistic Ś is the ʲś-who acts as possessor of the dynamic nature called Śپ. The competence of Śپ indeed is referred to as emerged in the forms of awareness and reflective awareness. The self as well as the reflective awareness of the supreme consciousness are usually known through the connotations viz., ś and ś. The universe according to Śaivite monism is the manifestation or Vimarśa of Ś the supreme reality. Vimarśa is the form of Śپ, with whom Ś in the form illuminative awareness (Prakāśa) coined the expression and one who is filled with ś and ś (śśmaya).[2]

Śپ has manifold forms and speculations. Awareness and freedom are her two aspects by the description of which, all the other phases will be revealed. Vimarśa[3] is the term used to indicate the power which is capable of knowing self and others as same with itself.

An exact definition of this is given by Raffaele Torella as;

This key word in ٲⲹñ system designates the act through which consciousness, instead of passively reflecting its object as a mirror actively grasps itself as being the consciousness of ‘this� or ‘that�.[4]

This dynamic feature of supreme consciousness, in a distinct perspective, is identified through the expression of ٲԳٰⲹ (freedom) which has a central role in the shaping of the idealistic realism of Śaivite thought.

Svātantrya is commonly defined as the characteristic of the supreme Ś, which altogether is demonstrative of the dynamic principle, that makes Ś ever dynamic i. e., a form of Śپ. Svātantrya is a term that embraces manifold meanings in various contexts. Monistic Ś philosophy-especially its theory of ūṇa (completeness) is said to be hinged on this single pillar called ٲԳٰⲹ. The unique position of this concept is rendered by the notion of ٲԳٰⲹvāda and is used to indicate the whole system of monistic Ś.[5] There are many definitions attributed to ٲԳٰⲹ such as īḍ�, ԲԻ岹 etc. But ultimately ٲԳٰⲹ is nothing but the ‘lordly act� of Ś.[6]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

For major grounds and concerns of the formulations of this new system, see Navjivan Rastogi, Op.cit., pp.4-7.

[2]:

But in a deeper sense, every awareness-as the supreme or as the multitude-is an action and therefore both should be marked as the representation of Śپ itself. But conventional exegetical standards keep ś as Ś and ś as Śپ. Otherwise either the supremacy of Śپ could be agreed or the supreme should be predicted as Śپ. To find out the ‘awkwardness� in such alternative thoughts, refer to Śdṛṣṭi, III. 1-2.

[3]:

There are numerous terms like 峾ś, ٲⲹś and so on used as substitutes of ś.

[4]:

Raffaele Torella (Ed.), The Īśvaraٲⲹñkārikā with Author’s ṛtپ: Critical Edition and Annotated Translation, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 2002, p. xiii.

[5]:

See Chapter. 5, in this study. Also compare with the demonstration of 𳦲ī.

[6]:

ٲԳٰⲹmetanmukhya� tadaiśvarya� 貹ṣṭ󾱲Բ� |, Īśvaraٲⲹñkārikā, I. 1. 4cd. For a detailed Śپ-centered examination of freedom, see, Chapter 6 in this study.

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