Specific Principles Of Kashmir Saivism

Specific Principles of Kashmir Saivism throw, a clear light on the aspects of Trika Saiva philosophy that remain either untouched or not well-clarified in other schools. Starting with a discussion of the theistic absolutism of the Trika system, B.N. Pandit guides us through Abhinavagupta's critique of the primary cosmogonic theories of his time--the materialist realism of Samkhya, the momentary-idealism of Vijnanavada, and the vivarta theory of Advaita Vedanta--en route to establishing the Kashmir Saiva theory of theistic reflectional manifestation as a unique and supremely logical cosmogonic system. Like the topic of cosmogony, several other important principles are unique developments of the Trika system. These topics include: Spanda, Saktipata, the classification of beings, aesthetics, the notion of Sabdabrahman, the relation of the five pranas to the four states of consciousness, and Trika yoga. This book illuminates these topics on the basis of the writings of the primary masters of the school, including Vasugupta, Kallata Bhatta, Somananda, Utpaladeva, and Abhinavagupta. In addition, the author has included a chapter on the vilasa principle as expounded in the Neo-Saiva philosophy (Abhinava-Saivadarsana) of Acarya Amrtavagbhava. This work also includes an index, extensive glossary, and appendix of Sanskrit quotations, making it an invaluable source book for beginners and scholars alike.