Home > Society > Religion in India > Schools of Kashmir Shaivism
Schools of Kashmir Shaivism
Schools of Kashmir Shaivism evolved under the four great Masters of Shaivism who separated the Tantric philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism and taught it under four forms. The four schools are Paratyabhigna School, Krama School, Kula School and Spanda School. These four schools are ultimately not all that different as all of them have the common goal of helping the Sadhak to attain Universal God consciousness.

Share this Article:

Kashmir Shaivism is a school of Philosophy that developed in Kashmir. Also known as the Trika Philosophy, it rests on the three energies of Lord Shiva. The system of Kashmiri Shaivism is based upon Tantras spoken by Lord Shiva. These Tantras are divided into three classes- one class is that of the monistic tantras. They are called Bhairava Tantras; the second group of Tantras is founded on the mono-dualistic aspect of Kashmir Shaivism. These Tantras are called Rudra Tantras; the third class is based on dualistic Shaivism. These Tantras are called Shiva Tantras.

The philosophy of these Tantras was re-originated at the beginning of Kaliyug by Sage Durvasa. Many centuries later this Tantric philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism was taught by the four great Masters in four Great Schools, Paratyabhigna School, Krama School, Kula School and Spanda School.

Paratyabhigna means Recognition. The realisation of what one has always been in one`s essential, timeless nature. This system was expounded in Kashmir by Somananda.

The Krama School is grounded in space, time and form. Its purpose is to develop such strength of awareness that one transcends the circle of time, space and form and thus becomes timeless, space-less and formless. This thought of the Krama School of Shaivism was taught by Shri Erakanatha.

The third school of Kashmir Shaivism is called the Kula system. The purpose of this school is to discard Individual Energy and to enter into blissful energy of the totality. Thisi thought was re-orginated and taught by Sumatinatha in Kashmir.

The fourth, the Spanda School of this system was re-originated in Kashmir by Vasaguptanatha. Spanda means `Vibration` and the system which goes by its name directs the aspirant to concentrate on each and every movement in this world. Even the movement of a blade of grass will carry you to God-consciousness.

These four schools are not too different or separate from each other. All four carry the Sadhaks to the one and that is Universal God-consciousness. This thought of Kashmir Shaivism is so great, world-affirming and Universal that it has deeply impressed many western minds too, holding out as it does the wonderful vision of this whole Universe as nothing but the Blissful energy of an all pervading consciousness, Lord Shiva.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India

Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.
Iyer Brahmin
Iyer Brahmins are originally from Tamil Nadu of South India. The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences.
Barai Caste
Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently for Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste discloses the mixed elements that formed the caste.
Dangi Caste
Dangi Caste is largely distributed in the high land regions, and the word Dangi is said to have originated from the geographical features of their territory. Main occupation of the members of Dangi Caste is cultivation.
Nadar Caste
One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
Kumbhakar Caste
Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels.
Gujjars in Maharashtra
Gujjars in Maharashtra have several sub-castes. Here, in this state the Gurjars are listed as a separate caste. They are included in the Maharashtra OBC list.
Awasthi Brahmin
Awasthi is a surname or a family name of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins in the Indian continent.
Bhoyar Caste
Bhoyar Caste is largely found in the Central Provinces of the country. Traditional occupation of Bhoyars is agriculture. They are good cultivators and mostly grow sugarcane.
Gujjars in Mughal Era
Gujjars in the Mughal era enjoyed great power. Further their power increased with the decline of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor.
Origin of Vaishnavism
Origin of Vaishnavism shares its attributes to many sources and religious evolution, dating back to pre-Vedic epoch.