Kashmiri Shaivism

Paramashiva

• 22.07.2026 • 5 min. reading • 15 просм.

• 22.07.2026 • 5 min. reading • 15 просм.

Paramaśiva (Paramaśiva) is the supreme, absolute reality and ultimate metaphysical ground in the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism, the transcendent and simultaneously immanent aspect of divine consciousness, which is both undifferentiated unity (akhanda) and the source of all manifestations and forms of the universe. Etymology The term "Paramaśiva" consists of two Sanskrit words: "parama" — "supreme," "ultimate," "transcendent," and "śiva" — "auspicious," "gracious." Thus, its literal meaning can be translated as "Supreme Shiva" or "Ultimate Auspicious Reality." Linguistically, the root "śiv" goes back to the Vedic tradition

Maya Tattva

• 22.07.2026 • 5 min. reading • 16 просм.

• 22.07.2026 • 5 min. reading • 16 просм.

Māyā-tattva (Sanskrit: माया तत्त्व, māyā-tattva) is the threshold tattva through which boundless Consciousness voluntarily assumes “measurability” and allows the experience of difference, so that the one nondual Reality begins to be perceived as a multiplicity of subjects and objects. In Kashmir Shaivism, māyā is not an “error” or an external enemy of the Absolute—it is Paramaśiva’s own power of self-limitation, which makes possible experience, the path of recognition, and the ultimate revelation of freedom. Etymology The word “māyā” derives from the Sanskrit root √mā—“to measure,” “to measure out,” “to proportion,” “to es

Kashmir Shaivism

• 22.07.2026 • 17 min. reading • 73 просм.

• 22.07.2026 • 17 min. reading • 73 просм.

Kashmir Shaivism (kāśmīra-śaivadarśana, kāśmīra-śaivadarśana) is a unique philosophical and religious system within the Indian spiritual tradition that emerged in the Kashmir region around the 8th–9th centuries CE. This school, also known as Trika (trika) or Trika Shasana (trika-śāsana), is a non-orthodox non-dualistic (Advaita) branch of Shaivism, distinct from both the dualistic schools of Shaivism and Advaita Vedanta. Kashmir Shaivism offers a distinctive vision of reality in which absolute consciousness—Shiva (śiva) or Paramashiva (paramaśiva)—is regarded as the sole reality, while the manifested world is understood no

Kula

• 21.07.2026 • 3 min. reading • 12 просм.

• 21.07.2026 • 3 min. reading • 12 просм.

Kula (kula) in the Trika doctrine denotes the wholeness of the manifested multiplicity, a “family” of principles (tattvas) and energies apprehended as a single living whole. The transcendent pole of this wholeness is called akula (ākula), which is identical with Paramaśiva. The traditional path of practice based on these principles is called Kaula. In short: kula is manifested integral reality; akula is its supremely transcendent source (Paramaśiva); Kaula is the corresponding path and school. Terminology and Etymology Etymology. The word “kula” derives from the idea of “gathering/containing” (the root √kul) and in classic

Kalaa-tattva

• 21.07.2026 • 8 min. reading • 19 просм.

• 21.07.2026 • 8 min. reading • 19 просм.

Kalā-tattva (Sanskrit: कलातत्त्व, kalā-tattva) is one of the five kañcukas arising from māyā-tattva and contracting Shiva’s boundless power of action into an individual, partial capacity to act; at the level of experience, it manifests as the inner feeling: “I can do only a little.” As a cosmological principle, kalā-tattva denotes that particular “limit” through which the universal freedom of action becomes the restricted ability to perform only certain actions, only under certain conditions, and only through limited means. Etymology The word “kalā” derives from the root kal, meaning “to calculate,” “to order,” “to produce

Ishvara-tattva

• 21.07.2026 • 4 min. reading • 14 просм.

• 21.07.2026 • 4 min. reading • 14 просм.

Ishvara-tattva is the fourth of the five pure tattvas (shuddha-tattvas) in the system of 36 Tattvas of Kashmir Shaivism, denoting the level of Divine Consciousness at which the objective aspect of manifestation becomes clearly defined and is experienced in the formula “This is I,” with the energy of pure knowledge (Jnana-shakti) predominating. Etymology The term Ishvara (Sanskrit: ईश्वर, Īśvara) derives from the root īś, meaning “to own,” “to rule,” “to be capable,” or “to possess power.” In classical Sanskrit usage, īśvara means “ruler,” “lord,” or “master.” Combined with tattva (“suchness,” “ontological principle,” “real

Idam

• 21.07.2026 • 4 min. reading • 15 просм.

• 21.07.2026 • 4 min. reading • 15 просм.

Idam (Sanskrit: इदम्, idam) — “This,” the pole of objectivity in nondual experience, associated with Aham. In the Trika system, it is precisely the polarity of “I — This” that explains the unfolding of the universe and the very act of cognition as the relationship between the knower, the knowable, and the means of knowledge. Etymology The term derives from the Sanskrit demonstrative pronoun idam, meaning “this; given, present.” In philosophical usage, a distinction is made between idantā — “this-ness, objectivity” and ahantā — “I-ness, subjectivity.” This pair forms the basis of every experienced field of awareness: “that

Encyclopedia of Kashmir Shaivism

• 21.07.2026 • 2 min. reading • 13 просм.

• 21.07.2026 • 2 min. reading • 13 просм.

Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Kashmir Shaivism—a unique treasury of the nondual philosophy and practical teachings of Trika Darshana “The true nature of this world is nothing other than the nature of Shiva, filled with pure Consciousness and freely manifesting through its Shakti.” Abhinavagupta, Tantraloka This encyclopedia is a systematic collection of knowledge about the unified tradition of Kashmir Shaivism (also known as Trika) in all the diversity of its schools, concepts, and practices. Here you will find academically accurate yet accessible explanations of complex philosophical concepts, an overview of the traditio

Vimarsha

• 21.07.2026 • 5 min. reading • 13 просм.

• 21.07.2026 • 5 min. reading • 13 просм.

Vimarsha (vimarśa) is a fundamental concept of Kashmir Shaivism denoting the self-reflexive aspect of pure consciousness, its capacity for self-awareness and self-expression. Vimarsha is the dynamic, active aspect of the Absolute, through which the light of consciousness knows itself and manifests the entire diversity of the universe. Etymology The Sanskrit term “vimarsha” (vimarśa) derives from the prefix “vi-” (vi-), denoting particular intensity or diversity, and the root “mrish” (mṛś), meaning “to touch,” “to feel,” or “to reflect.” Its literal meaning is “a special touch,” “intense sensation,” or “complete awareness.”

Vidya-tattva

• 21.07.2026 • 7 min. reading • 12 просм.

• 21.07.2026 • 7 min. reading • 12 просм.

Vidyā-tattva (Sanskrit: विद्यातत्त्व, vidyā-tattva) is one of the five kañcukas arising from Māyā-tattva and limiting the omniscience of universal Consciousness to the partial, selective knowledge of the individual subject. In lived experience, it is recognized as the persistent feeling, “I know only a little” and “I do not know this,” which makes reality seem assembled from fragments, while knowledge always feels incomplete and in need of external supports. Etymology Vidyā (vidyā) derives from the Sanskrit root √vid (विद्), meaning “to know,” “to recognize,” “to discover,” and “to make clear.” Grammatically, the word is a