Principle of Shakti in Kashmir Shaivism (Study)
by Nirmala V. | 2016 | 65,229 words
This page relates ‘Introduction� 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.
Introduction
It has evidently been established in the previous chapter that the principle of Śپ has undergone a notable change over time within the system of Kashmir Ś. It may also be noted that the change happened in the case of Śپ has the nature of subordination. Generally, change, of any kind, obviously is formulated by specific causes. The theory, that all the actions or deviations are brought about on account of some causes, is not exclusive to the thinkers of early Greek or western culture alone, but is an intrinsic theme of Indian philosophical systems too.[1] Nevertheless the causes for the evolution of Śپ deserve to be examined certainly, for the very principle bears a unique position in the history of religious philosophic thought, not of India only but of the whole human civilisation. Although Śپ is a philosophical theme, here the problem is being examined by concentrating on the historical and cultural causes of its evolution rather than the philosophical ones.
While probing into the reasons for the process of subordination of Śپ in the various schools of Kashmir Ś two are the major problems encountered. The first is the unavailability of authentic sources of the cultural history of ancient Kashmir. Available materials in this subject are not sufficient to arrive at a definite conclusion since they give vague information. The second is the fact that the cultural influences do not occur only on a particular domain alone of the social life, but it happens commonly to all layers of human life.
It may be pointed out here that the evolution to a certain extent is a continuous process than a merechange which simply indicates some kind of transformation. So the phases through which the process occurred may be considered as the causes which act as the connecting fragments of its whole sequential structure. Hence, there are several causes and effects in the process of the evolution of Śپ principle that need to be discussed deeply. Thus, in the present chapter, the sources of Kashmir Ś of the above said period are being used as the main tool for the analysis of the problem to be addressed; and being a common realm, the experiences suffered by the entire Tantrism are considered as the derivative causes. Therefore the classification and categorization as per chronological order of the texts coming under Śaivite Tantrism are not seriously dealt with. The division based on the nature of the content also is subject to criticism.[2] The age that owed to the awakening of this intensive and vast literature is calculated as between 9th and 11th centuries CE; and hence the same is hoped to be the best time in which the noticeable change in the position of the concept of Śپ has occurred. These works also may be considered as the foundations of the conceptual change of Śپ principle since there are some solid evidences in them for the creation of changes in it.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Causation is one of the central problems in all the orthodox and heterodox systems (except 첹) of Indian Philosophy. Thus extensive discussions can be found on the nature, definitions, classifications and issues about the causation theory in different streams of Indian philosophy.
[2]:
As the treatises are constituted of wide variety of content, their categorisation into different groups based on their philosophy is inappropriate.