Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism:

The technical science of Vigyan Bhairava or Spandakarika:

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra is one of the ancient Indian scripture. It is considered as one of the finest and highest knowledge available for enlightenment. This book consist of conversation between Lord Shiva (Bhairava) and Adi Shakti (Devi, Bhairavi). Devi asks Shiva about his reality, he replies with techniques, to experience enlightened point of view by oneself, about going beyond mind, into pure state of conscioussness.. Lord Shiva answers  Devi to understand the nature of God, Creation, how to achieve Shiva state. It was practiced by Shivites specially those following Kashmir Shaivism. The knowledge was transmitted to and adopted by Siddas, Yogis and Rishis, Buddhists, Greeks and Sharanas who achieved enlightenment using these techniques.

As per kalpa system this knowledge is older than time itself, given from Shiva to Shakti and later to saptarshis. Shiva's 112 sutras of meditation given to Devi, in response to her queries about the nature of reality, in Vigyan Bhairva Tantra, a five thousand years old treatise, are comprehensive and complete. The textization of the scripture is recent and the manuscript found was from Kashmir, 

 Acharya Abhinavgupta:

Acharya Abhinavgupta in 5th -6th century wrote the scriptures and also his bhashyas on them. 

Lord Shiva given 112 different methods to understand divine consciousness and merge with it. They consists of very easy practices like some breathing techniques, gazing at panchabhootas like earth, water, nature, sky and inner mind, its philosophical explanation. These methods are dharna (concentration) which will develop into dhyana (meditation). In this way human beings bounded by a limiting body and mind can understand their true nature and become one with divine. The main aim of this method is to gain the state of Shiva directly by concentrating on ourselves realizing the mantra ''SHIVOHAM" or I am Shiva.  If  the practitioner is unable to get divine consciousness then the practitioner have to meditate in various other methods given by Lord Shiva in this book to reach Turiya state and gradually reach to higher states. All practices are to merge Individual Consciousness of practitioner with Universal divine Consciousness of God. To reach the state of Supreme God Lord Shiva is by means of Shakti or Kundalini Devi. Most of methods are very easy can be practiced by anyone.

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra  mean the "Technique of Going Beyond". Vijnana means consciousness, Bhairava means the state which is beyond consciousness, and Tantra means the method. Vijnana Bhairava Tantra is the method of going beyond consciousness.

It's a conversation between Shiva and Parvati where supreme Shiva guides her through 112 techniques to reach him.

Techniques:

These 112 techniques consists of several variants of breath awareness, concentration on various centers in the body, non-dual awareness, mantra chanting, imagination and visualization and contemplation through each of the senses.  

Sadhaka may choose any one of the techniques which he can understand and practice those that suits him effectively or combine  2–3 techniques for faster realisation.These hundred and twelve are the basic methods.You can create new combinations. Any number of combinations is possible.

But going beyond consciousness does not happen only by repeating and mastering techniques ! It happens by grace of ParaShiva.Though devotion (Bhaktiyoga), knowledge(Jnanayoga) and technique (Kriyayoga)are important in initial states. Love and Total surrender are the most vital elements for achieving the final goal of Unification. Osho said  'On the path of will there are methods –these one hundred and twelve methods. 

On the path of surrender, Surrender itself is the method, there are no other methods – the last and ultimate method is  you have surrendered. 

He talks of love as another method: 'Love itself is the greatest method, but this type of love is difficult almost impossible. Here Love means putting yourself out from your consciousness, and in the same place, where your ego has been in existence, putting someone else. Replacing yourself by someone else means love –as if now you are not and only the other is.'

Influence on Tamil Shaivism:

Tirumular was a Tamil Shaivite mystic and writer, considered one of the sixty-three Nayanmars and one of the 18 Siddhars. His main work, the Tirumantiram  which consists of over 3000 verses, forms a part of the key text of the Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, the Tirumurai. His original name was 

Sundara Nathar. He was a yogi who travelled from Mount Kailash to meet his contemporary sage Agasthya in Pothigai Hills. He was well versed with Kashmir Shaivism and Nath parampara. While on his way, near Sathanur village at Cauveri Delta area he saw a group of cows crying. He went near the cows to discover that their cowherd, Moolan, was dead, having been bitten by a snake. He was very touched by the sight of the cows that he wept in sorrow and decided to use his yogic power and move his soul from his body to that of the dead cowherd's, leaving his own body inside a tree log. On waking up in the body of the cowherd, the cows became happy; then he navigated them to the village. He then returned to the place where he left his body, to return to his own body. To his surprise, his actual body had disappeared from the tree log, and was nowhere to be found. At this moment, he heard a divine voice. Lord Shiva told Sundara Nathar to spread his teachings through the body of Moolan; because of the simple dialect of a cowherd man Tamil can be easily understood by common people.

Influence on 12th century Sharanas:

 The 12th century Sharanas were influenced by Kashmir Shaivism. They incorporated Kriyayoga or techniques, Love and Total surrender to ParaShiva from Kashmir Shaivism.  This Love is that of Kundalini Shakti to her consort Shiva and hence this is known as "Sharana Sati, Linga Pati" in Shivayoga of Sharanas. Total surrender is called as "Dasoham" ( I am Dasa ) by Basavadi  Sharanas of 12th century. As per doctrine of Sharana dharma " Total merging in Shoonya can be achieved by Dasoham and not by Soham or Shivoham". Soham and Shivoham mantra help in reaching Turiya state but to reach Turiyateeta state Dasoham or total surrender to ParaShiva and unsurpassed Love are are required  to dissolve Aham or Self and to help in merging with Ultimate Reality.

 Kashmir Mandyavapur king Mahadev Bhoopal (Moliganath Marsinh ?), queen Gangadevi and King's sister Nijadevi joined jangamas sent by Guru Basavanna. They reached  Kalyan the capital of Kalachuri Bijjala's kingdom to join and discuss about forming the new religion. They were so impressed with the Anubhava mantap's discussions and Guru Basavanna 's epic work  that they stayed back here till their last breath and helped in formation of the new religion. As Kayaka was a must to participate in Anubhava mantap, King became wood cutter and was named as Molige Marayya and Queen became Molige Mahadevi and princess Nijadevi became Bontadevi. Bontadevi started stiching bonte or Shawl (koudi) and supplying as her Kayaka. All three have written many exquisite vachanas and also participated in Anubhava mantap discussions. There is a sculpture of Molige Marayya at Banavasi Madhukeshwar temple along with other sharanas.They attained lingaikya at Molkera near Kalyan in Bidar district.

Influence on Paul Peps:

Paul Peps had  alluded to these sutras as pointers to meditation in the last part of his book ’Zen Flesh Zen Bones’. 

Influence on Osho :

Osho who had to through knowledge of this book called this method as  "the supreme doctrine –without any doctrine.”

It is said all meditations of the world originated from this text.  Osho's transformed the sutras  from the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra into effective meditation techniques. Osho said: 'They are complete –one hundred and twelve techniques. They have taken in all the possibilities, all the ways of cleaning the mind, transcending the mind. Not a single method could be added to Shiva’s one hundred and twelve methods.’

The commentary by Osho, is an amazing revelation of the art and science of meditation. He has  researched and experimented into the effects of these 112 techniques of meditation, on human consciousness.

Influence on Buddhism:

According to Osho, Buddhist techniques of meditation are actually taken from Vigyan Bhairav Tantra.  Tantra Vidya or different techniques,  meditation came to Buddhism from Nath sampradaya, Kashmir Shaivism.

Influence on Greek philosophy:

It is said Greek philosopher Pythogorus  and many more attained enlightenment  even just by following half a shloka.

The technical science of Vigyan Bhairava or Spandakarika is eternal in every kalpa in several multiverses. Shiva out of his benevolence gives these 112 miraculous technical formulas for our Enlightenment.

 ✍️ Dr Prema Pangi