Masters of Kashmir Shaiva Lineage ( 8th Century -11 th Century ) – 19th -20 th Century

 

Teachings of Shiva Trika Philosophy in ancient times were transmitted verbally from generation to generation   not with the help of written texts. First Written Kashmir Shaiva Text is Shiva Dhristi in 8th Century by Acharya Somananda.

The Term Kashmir Shaivism was used for Kashmir Shaiva Trika Philosophy from 1911 onwards when Kashmir Shaiva Text Studies (KSTS) was implemented by Maharaja Pratap Singh at the request of Swami Ram.

 

Eminent Shaiva Masters of Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy and their Major works.

 

  • Acharya Vasugupta – (800 – 850 CE) – Acharya Vasugupta was the author of the Shiva Sutras, an important text of the Advaita tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. He also wrote the Spanda Karikas as a commentary on the Shiva Sutras.
  • Acharya Somananada -(875 – 925 CE) –Acharya Somananda was disciple of Acharya Vasugupta. He started Spanda School of Thought of Kashmir Shaivism. He was author of Ist Philosophical Text of Kashmir Shaivism Shiv Dhristi – A Text in seven volumes.
  • Acharya Utpaldeva ( 900 -950 CE ) – Acharya Utpladeva was author of Shivastotravali and some more important texts of Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy.
  • Acharya Abhinavagupta  (924 – 1020 CE) –  

Acharya Abhinavagupta was one of India‘s great Shaiva Masters and philosophers. He is credited with the authorship of as many as fifty works, only some of which survive to the present day. The two most important philosophical writings were the Paratrishika-Vivarana and the Tantraloka. Paramarthasara, a philosophical composition of 105 verses based on the Karikas of Shesha. Other philosophical works were Tantrasara, Gitartha-Sangraha (commentary on the Bhagavad Gita), and Malinishloavarika. In addition to his philosophical discussions, he wrote contributed to rhetoric with his commentary on Bharata’s Natya Shastra (Abhinavabharati), poetics with his commentary on Anandavardhan’s Dhvanayloka (the Locana), aesthetics, drama, dance, and linguistics.

 

The poet Madhuraja asserted that Abhinavagupta was the incarnation of Bhairava-natha Shiva. Swami Lakshmanjoo considered Abhinavagupta the pride of Kashmir and the final authority on all aspects of Shaivism. Today his works and teachings continue to deeply influence discerning people worldwide.

 

Acharya Abhinavagupta in one of his concluding verses of Patanjali’s Paramarthasara says

“O MY DEVOTEES! ON THIS PATH OF SUPREME BHAIRAVA, WHOEVER HAS TAKEN A STEP WITH PURE DESIRE, NO MATTER IF THAT DESIRE IS SLOW OR INTENSE; IT DOES NOT MATTER IF HE IS A BRAHMIN, IF HE IS A SWEEPER, IF HE IS AN OUTCAST, OR IF HE IS ANYBODY; HE BECOMES ONE WITH PARA-BHAIRAVA.”

  • Acharya Kshemraja- ( 980 -1050 CE ) Acharya Kshemraja was disciple of Acharya Abhinavagupta .  His original works include Paraparveshika and Pratyabhijnahridayam.  Acharya Yograja was his student.

 After this there was a break in chain of Kashmir Shaiva masters   in last 700 years and after that with grace of Lord Shiva again, we had revival of Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy in Kashmir.

 

1.Swami  Mansa Ram (Manakak) – ( 1820-1890)

Sri Manas Ram Monga ( ManaKak as he was called) who was a great mystic saint of the time in Kula system of Kashmir Shaivism. He had great spiritual attainments and wanted that philosophy to spread through a line of disciples. Being a Siddha Yogi and eager to transmit the knowledge to a capable person who understood this subtle philosophy, the master found the true disciple in Swami Ramji and transmitted Yoga to him by his divine touch.

2 Swami Ram –( 1854-1915)  –   Swami Ram not only displayed mystical leanings from his very childhood but also evinced keen interest in learning scriptures. He received early education at home from his own learned father who perfected his knowledge of Sanskrit and Karmakaand. After he had acquired a clear comprehension of the school of philosophy by his intelligence and hard work, destiny brought him in contact with a great mystic-seer, Shri Manas Ram Monga, popularly known as Maneh Kak. Being a Siddha, Maneh Kak found in Swami Ram a deserving Shishya who, he felt, had the potential of understanding and apprehending the subtleties of Trika system. The guru was convinced that the boy Ram was the most deserving person to transmit his knowledge and experience to others through time-tested guru-shishya parampara.

So intense was his Sadhana, he never moved out of his place for 20 long years.

Swami Ram was Paramguru of Swami Lakshmanjoo. He established his Ashram as Swami ram Trik Ashram at fatehkadal, Srinagar in 1885 from house donated by his disciple Pt Narayan Dass Raina, father of Swami Lakshamanjoo.

3 Swami Mahtab kak – ( 1880-1947)- Swami Mehtabkak was disciple of Swami Ram and Swami Ram Entrusted Young Lakshmana under guidance of Swami Mehtbkak before attaining Mahasamadhi.

Swami Mehtabkak  was spiritually elevated Shiva Master and gave initiation to our master Swami Lakshmanjoo.

4 Swami Lakshmanjoo  ( 1907-1991)-    Swami Lakshmanjoo from a young age had leanings towards spirituality.  He Learnt initilally Sanskrit from Pt Maheshwar Nath Razdan  and later Shivastotravali and other Shaiva texts initially from Swami Mehtabkak. Swamiji practiced intense Sadhna or several months in seclusion ,  moved to upper Ishber Ashram with him parents in 1934 and then later 1n 1962 to Ishwar Ashram, Ishber Nishat from where he taught Kashmir Shaiva texts to various Indian and western scholars for revival of ancient Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy and laid the foundation of Ishwar Ashram Trust in India and Universal Shaiva Fellowship in USA.