Swami Lakshmanjoo

In the summer of 1987, Swamiji began compiling what he con-sidered to be the most important verses (ślokas) from the variousscriptures (śāstras) that he had studied throughout his life. Althoughthese verses are primarily from Kashmir Shaivite sources, Swamijialso included verses from Vedāntic texts such as the Yoga Vāsiṣtha andthe Rāmāyaṇa. Every Sunday, he would reveal the meaning of one ortwo of these verses to his devotees in Kashmir.The following year, Swamiji traveled to Nepal with his nephew, Inder Krishen Raina, to meet with John and Denise Hughes andtheir two children with the express intent of sharing these importantverses with them. He gave daily lectures, translating and explainingthe essence of these verses. We are eternally grateful to John for hisvigilance in recording Swamiji's revelation of these special verses.During one of Swamiji's lectures, John asked him why he had com-piled these different verses. Swamiji replied, "I compiled these ślo-kas with the intention of sharing them with you." When asked aboutthe references for these verses, Swamiji said, "It is not for research. Itis for your daily recitation. Maybe sometime you will experience thesestages. Treat it as another independent book for your recitation. It willbe helpful to you in sādhana (contemplative practice).

In the summer of 1987, Swamiji began compiling what he con-sidered to be the most important verses (ślokas) from the variousscriptures (śāstras) that he had studied throughout his life. Althoughthese verses are primarily from Kashmir Shaivite sources, Swamijialso included verses from Vedāntic texts such as the Yoga Vāsiṣtha andthe Rāmāyaṇa. Every Sunday, he would reveal the meaning of one ortwo of these verses to his devotees in Kashmir.The following year, Swamiji traveled to Nepal with his nephew, Inder Krishen Raina, to meet with John and Denise Hughes andtheir two children with the express intent of sharing these importantverses with them. He gave daily lectures, translating and explainingthe essence of these verses. We are eternally grateful to John for hisvigilance in recording Swamiji's revelation of these special verses.During one of Swamiji's lectures, John asked him why he had com-piled these different verses. Swamiji replied, "I compiled these ślo-kas with the intention of sharing them with you." When asked aboutthe references for these verses, Swamiji said, "It is not for research. Itis for your daily recitation. Maybe sometime you will experience thesestages. Treat it as another independent book for your recitation. It willbe helpful to you in sādhana (contemplative practice).

Swami Lakshmanjoo fue un fil sofo y santo autorrealizado. Fue el ltimo exponente de la tradici n monista que ahora se conoce como shaivismo de Cachemira. Dedic su vida a elevar a sus disc pulos iluminando para ellos intelectual y pr cticamente el camino que lleva a la autorrealizaci n. Pata jali, el autor de los Yoga S tras, fue quien compuso originalmente el Param rthas ra, "La esencia de la Reali- dad supremaAbhinavagupta, el exponente m s venerado del shaivismo de Cachemira, revisit y expandi este texto para revelar los puntos principales de esta profunda filosof a.En este libro, Swami Lakshmanjoo traduce y revela la obra de Abhinavagupta con una comprensi n clara y profunda.

Tantrāloka is the voluminous masterwork of the 10th-century philosopher-saint, Abhinavagupta. It is a veritable encyclopedia of non-dual Shaivism, a spiritual treasure trove containing a glorious synthesis of all the schools that make up Kashmir Shaivism. This second volume includes chapters two and three, dealing with anupāya, the means (upāya) where there is nothing to be done for attaining oneness with Universal Being, and śāmbhavopāya, the means requiring supreme awareness. Being the last master in the direct line of Abhinavagupta, Swami Lakshmanjoo is singularly able to reveal the true meaning of this otherwise difficult (or inaccessible) text. In the accompanying audio, the sincere student can hear the words of a master who lived and breathed Kashmir Shaivism in its fullness.

Tantrāloka is the voluminous masterwork of the 10th century philosopher-saint, Abhinavagupta. It is a veritable encyclopedia of non-dual Shaivism, a spiritual treasure trove containing a glorious synthesis of all the schools that make up Kashmir Shaivism. This second volume includes chapters two and three, dealing with anupāya, the means (upāya) where there is nothing to be done for attaining oneness with Universal Being, and śāmbhavopāya, the means requiring supreme awareness. Being the last master in the direct line of Abhinavagupta, Swami Lakshmanjoo is singularly able to reveal the true meaning of this otherwise difficult (or inaccessible) text. In the accompanying audio, the sincere student can hear the words of a master who lived and breathed Kashmir Shaivism in its fullness.

Los Shiva Sutras, otorgados por Dios al sabio Vasugupta para la elevaci n de la humanidad, es uno de los textos m s importantes y reverenciados del shaivismo de Cachemira. Swami Lakshmanjoo ofrece al lector una visi n penetrante del viaje glorioso del Despertar Supremo; el viaje desde la individualidad limitada hasta la unidad absoluta con Dios. Basando su interpretaci n en el comentario esot rico del principal disc pulo de Abhinavagupta, Kshemaraja, y bas ndose en su propia experiencia, Swami Lakshmanjoo nos muestra el camino a casa.

"Even if you are already drowned in the cycle of the ocean of repeated births and deaths, when you once find attachment (love) and devotion for Lord Shiva, then you have found that Cintamani jewel." Swami Lakshmanjoo"The Magical Jewel of Devotion in Kashmir Shaivism - Stava Cintamani" as revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo, is a sublime and unique hymn addressed to 'Lord Shiva', whom the author, Bhatta Narayana, clearly holds as the Supreme Reality. Though these hymns are both practical and deeply philosophical, the constant theme that runs like a thread through the one hundred and twenty verses is that love and devotion towards Lord Shiva is everything.That Bhatta Narayana composed his hymn with the intention of introducing his audience to the richness of the path of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism is clearly visible in his unique interpretation of the ancient and highly revered Gayatri mantra: "I don't care to possess that effulgent light (tat savitur varenyam) of the three worlds (bhuh, bhuvah and svah), and I don't need my intellect elevated to the state of universal understanding (dhiyo yo nah pracodayat); I want only for that effulgent light to direct me on the path of Shaivism - that is all I long for - and that is the only favor I ask of Gayatri."In this book Swami Lakshmanjoo shares with us the secrets gleaned from the ancient masters of the oral tradition of Kashmir Shaivism.

"Even if you are already drowned in the cycle of the ocean of repeated births and deaths, when you once find attachment (love) and devotion for Lord Shiva, then you have found that Cintamani jewel." Swami Lakshmanjoo "The Magical Jewel of Devotion in Kashmir Shaivism - Stava Cintamani" as revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo, is a sublime and unique hymn addressed to 'Lord Shiva', whom the author, Bhatta Narayana, clearly holds as the Supreme Reality. Though these hymns are both practical and deeply philosophical, the constant theme that runs like a thread through the one hundred and twenty verses is that love and devotion towards Lord Shiva is everything. That Bhatta Narayana composed his hymn with the intention of introducing his audience to the richness of the path of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism is clearly visible in his unique interpretation of the ancient and highly revered Gayatri mantra: "I don't care to possess that effulgent light (tat savitur varenyam) of the three worlds (bhuh, bhuvah and svah), and I don't need my intellect elevated to the state of universal understanding (dhiyo yo nah pracodayat); I want only for that effulgent light to direct me on the path of Shaivism - that is all I long for - and that is the only favor I ask of Gayatri." In this book Swami Lakshmanjoo shares with us the secrets gleaned from the ancient masters of the oral tradition of Kashmir Shaivism.

"Even if you are already drowned in the cycle of the ocean of repeated births and deaths, when you once find attachment (love) and devotion for Lord Shiva, then you have found that Cintamani jewel." Swami Lakshmanjoo"The Magical Jewel of Devotion in Kashmir Shaivism - Stava Cintamani" as revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo, is a sublime and unique hymn addressed to 'Lord Shiva', whom the author, Bhatta Narayana, clearly holds as the Supreme Reality. Though these hymns are both practical and deeply philosophical, the constant theme that runs like a thread through the one hundred and twenty verses is that love and devotion towards Lord Shiva is everything.That Bhatta Narayana composed his hymn with the intention of introducing his audience to the richness of the path of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism is clearly visible in his unique interpretation of the ancient and highly revered Gayatri mantra: "I don't care to possess that effulgent light (tat savitur varenyam) of the three worlds (bhuh, bhuvah and svah), and I don't need my intellect elevated to the state of universal understanding (dhiyo yo nah pracodayat); I want only for that effulgent light to direct me on the path of Shaivism - that is all I long for - and that is the only favor I ask of Gayatri."In this book Swami Lakshmanjoo shares with us the secrets gleaned from the ancient masters of the oral tradition of Kashmir Shaivism.

This profound text is concerned with the philosophy and practice known as Kashmir Shaivism. On account of its size and scope it is a veritable encyclopedia of non-dual Shaivism.Why was the Tantraloka written? In answer to this question Abhinavagupta tells us that, although in the schools of Kashmir Shaivism there are many wonderful and important ways and methods for attaining the supreme reality, yet in his time not even one was still existing. All of those ways and methods were lost. It is for this reason that he was requested by his colleagues and disciples to create a text that would illuminate and clarify all of these ways and methods of Kashmir Shaivism. To accomplish this, Abhinavagupta composed the Tantraloka, a text, which he tells us is filled with the complete explanation of the ways and methods associated with Kashmir Shaivism. That is to say that the philosophical understanding on the level of the intellect might have been existing, but the actual practical means or methods to be used to attain the supreme reality - oneness with Universal Being - to which they all pointed was lost. Abhinavagupta was intent, therefore, to revive the true understanding of these very important teachings, to make the practices that they embodied live again. For what is the use of a map if you have no way to reach the destination? Thus, Abhinavagupta gave us the Tantraloka to remedy this situation.The Tantraloka is composed of thirty seven chapters (ahnikas). Each chapter has it's own distinct topic. In this present volume - chapter one - Abhinavagupta lays the groundwork for the rest of his Tantraloka. Here are some of the topics Abhinavagupta examines in the first chapter: - The important Masters of the schools of Kashmir Shaivism. - The differentiated perception of all the means and methods (upayas). - The difference between knowledge, ignorance and liberation. - The essence of what is to be recognized, i.e., the real object to be known. - The oneness of Shiva and His energy (Shakti). - Introduction to the means and methods (upaya) for attaining full and pure knowledge where you perceive your nature as one with the universe. - True liberation in Kashmir Shaivism. - A discussion of the four states of means (upayas).- Three variations of absorption or trance (samavesha) as mentioned in the Malinivijaya Tantra. - The contents of each of the thirty seven chapters of Tantraloka.

Features/Benefits: - Includes free downloadable audio of original lectures. - Bhagavad Gita means The Song of God. It is a 700-verse Hindu scripture from the epic Mahabharata. - This is one of the most important of all Hindu scriptures. - This translation, as seen through the lenses of Kashmir Shaivism by the great Master Swami Lakshmanjoo, teaches that we ourselves are warriors in a great battle for liberation. This treasure of knowledge was one of the last works by Swami Lakshmanjoo. He said, "It was a new revelation of the supreme secrets, hidden in the Kashmiri recension of the Bhagavad Gita." Based on Abhinavagupta's commentary of the Gitarthasamgraha, "The Essence of the Gita", Swamiji declared that, "this revelation was initiated by his direct experience of the state of Universal God Consciousness. Here Swamiji reveals the unique and liberating teaching of Kashmir Shaivism which proclaims; "Freedom from all our miseries, as Abhinavagupta boldly declares, can neither be obtained through renunciation of the world, nor by hatred of the world, but by experiencing the presence of God everywhere." At last, the secret and profound meaning of the Bhagavad Gita "The Lord's Song" is being made available for the spiritual illumination of all humankind.

Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening- Includes free downloadable audio of original lectures.- A collection of 77 aphorisms that form the foundation of Kashmir Shaivism.- The version herein contains the commentary of the 10th century philosopher and mystic Kshemeraja, and is revealed to us by the fully realized master Swami Lakshmanjoo.The Shiva Sutras, gifted by God to the sage Vasugupta for the upliftment of humanity, is one of Kashmir Shaivism's most important and revered texts. Swami Lakshmanjoo gives the reader a penetrating vision of the glorious journey of the Supreme Awakening; the traveling from limited individuality to absolute oneness with God. Basing his rendering on the esoteric commentary of Abhinavagupta's chief disciple Kshemaraja and drawing on his own experience, Swami Lakshmanjoo shows us the way home.