Acharya Abhinavagupta---Shankara Of Kashmir
On Abhinavagupta Jayanti, Nirjala Ekadashi (June 2, 2020)
Acharya Abhinavagupta---Shankara Of Kashmir
Bhairav Stotra Of Abhinavagupta
A humble homage to a great Kashmirian Shiva Acharya!
The Bhairav Stotra unfolds the secret of Atam-Janana, the conscious realization of the communion between the man and Paramatma. Abhinavguta gave expression to the Vedic truth, Lord Krishna, revealed to Arjuna in the Mahabharta war. Svetasvatara Upnishad says; “He Who at the beginning of creation projected Brahma (the Creator, the primal Universal Consciousness), and Who delivered unto Him the Vedas, seeking libration, I go for refuge into that Effulgent One, whose light turns the Understanding towards the (infinite) Atman.”
Abhinavgupta wrote a commentary on Bhagwad Gita, as well. Besides these, he wrote many other works, in all forty one works are written by him. There is traditional belief, among Kashmiri Pandits, that Abhinavgupta had written a commentary on Yoga Vasistha. However, at present Isvara Prathyabhijna Vimarsini is taken his last work.
According to G.T. Deshpande, the absolute Monistic thought of India flowed through two currents, namely the Advaita Vedanta of Shankara and Shiva Darsana of Abhinavgupta. One started from Nigma (Veda) and the other from Agama. But ultimately they met in the same point, in the form of realization of the Absolute as one. Abhinavgupta’s place among the expounders of Monistic Shaivism is the same as that of Adi Shankaracharya in expounding the Advaita Vedanta. For Shaiva in Kashmir, he is the final authority in the matter of Shaiva thought and ritual and is rightly known as Shankara of Kashmir!
Abhinavagupta left his mortal frames along with hundreds of his disciples when he entered the sacred cave at Bheerwah and disappeared. “While entering the cave, he recited verses from the Bhairva Stotra”. The Bhairva Stotra of Abhinavaguta reveals the Advaitic truth, which forms the foundation of the Shiva Darshan.
The English translation of the verses is given below;
1. “Having become one with Thee, I adore you in the heart of my heart. You are the first cause, of projection, sustenance and dissolution of the Universe and the protector of the destitute; everything sentient and un-sentient stands pervaded by you; you are one with the self, one and only one without beginning and end;
2. By virtue of the power of your grace, I experience whole of this universe as one with Thee, and since you are always everyday of mine, whole of the (Universe) is nothing but myself;
3. Despite the fact that the forces of the agents of ‘Karma’ which are extremely terrifying, delusory and very difficult to resist are at work, there is no question of getting over-awed by them in the world, for mine own self, Thine own self and the world have gained concurrence.
4. O, Ye, God of death! Don’t cast your terrifying glance on me. By serving and remembering Lord Shiva, I have verily become the embodiment of the powers of the Bhairava.
5. All pervading darkness of ignorance is cut as under by the rays of your knowledge which is well-developed and verily one with you. O Ye! The destroyer of death and the God of death, I bow to Thee, I am not at all frightened by the malevolent spirits of Karma.
6. The rays of the truth and awareness have risen and pervaded all the categories and elements of this Universe. I have gained repose of senses by depending on the (divine) nectar of Thine transcendentality.
7. O Lord! When my mind falls a victim to such affliction as cause awful pain to my body, I being one with you, a shower of transcendental nectar in the form of hymns comes into being (which destroys the pangs of pain).
8. O Shankara! It is true by observing fasts, giving charity and practicing austerity, afflictions are destroyed. But by concentrating on the supreme nectar of your philosophy, a soothing stream flows in my mind.
9. After having attained your absolute glorified beauty--- a stage attained with great difficulty---- my awareness joyfully dances, sings and feels blissful.
(English rendering of Bhairva Stotra of Abhinavgupta is by Sh K L Swaroop)
Contributeded By Sh Chaman Lal Gadoo
Photograph: Acharya Abhinavagupta Courtesy-Daily Excelsior