| SHAIVISM
of Kashmir has developed between the eight and the twelfth centuries of
the Christian era. This comparatively younger philosophy has tried to explain
all such ambiguities which the ancient philosophers have failed to resolve.
Like Advaitavedanta it is monistic, like Vaishnavism it is
theistic, like yoga it is practical, like Nayaya it is logical
as also appeasing like Buddhism. Kashmir Shaivism is, therefore,
idealistic and realistic in essence, strongly advocating a pragmatic approach
to life.
Tantras have
been revealed by Lord Shiva through his five mouths namely Ishana,
Tatpurusha,
Sadyojata,
Vamadeva,
and Aghora. These very five mouths represent his five energies namely
Chitshakti
(consciousness), Anandashakti (Bliss), Ichhashakti (will),
Jnanashakti
(knowledge) and
Kriyashakti (Action) respectively. When these aforesaid
five energies of Lord Shiva unite with each other in such a way that each
of these takes bold of the rest simultaneously, they reveal sixty four
Bhairvatantras
which are purely monistic. This very approach explained in these Tantras
is called
Kashmir Shaivism or
Trika philosophy. |
