The Shaiva System of Philosophy is a school of Hindu philosophy that worships Lord Shiva as the supreme. It is one of many schools in the tradition of Hinduism. The Shaiva system of Philosophy and Yoga is generally known as Agama. The word Agama means a traditional doctrine or system which is handed down from a Guru to the disciple. The word “Agama” has thus come to denote Shaivism, the beliefs and practices that are said to have been given by Lord Shiva to his disciples in an unbroken line from ancient times.
Kashmir Shaivism in general is known as Siva-shasana or Sivagama.
The non-dualistic Saiva system of Kashmir is known as Trika-Shasana or Trika-shastra or Rahasya-sampradaya. Sometimes this is also known as Triyambaka sampradayam. The words shasana and shastra are very significant. Shastra means “possession of knowledge” and is often translated as “science.” It is the most important division of Vedas. Both contain the root word shasa in Sanskrit which means discipline, which is an essential characteristic in Hinduism. It is also a more accurate translation than science because it captures the true meaning behind the word. Shasana or Shastra means teaching containing rules for discipline. A Sastra was not simply a way of thought but also a way of life.
The Shaiva philosophy of Kashmir is generally called ‘Trika Shastra, because it is philosophy of the triad. Siva, Sakti, Nara or Paramatma, Jivatma, Lokam or Para, Parapara, Apara. The Trika school of Hinduism and Kashmir Shaivism is one of the most influential schools of thought. It includes a variety of disciplines, including philosophy, metaphysics, Yoga and Tantra. The literature of the Trika system of Kashmir falls into three categories.
• Agama Shastra
• Spanda Shastra and
• Pratyabhijna Shastra.
Agama Shastra
Shaiva shastras are also known as Agama Sastra. It lays down both the principles and practices of the system. Agama Sastras are considered to be revelation by Shiva, so they are followed strictly in Shaivism. The Agamas were transmitted orally before being written down. The Vedas and other scriptures were transmitted in this way too, so Tantra should not be seen as an exception to this trend. Among the works belonging to the Agama category may be mentioned the following Tantras. Malinivijaya tantra or Malinivijayottara tantra, Svacchanda tantra, Vijnana Bhairava tantra, Mrgendra tantra, Netra tantra, Rudra-Yamala, Siva-Sutras, etc. Most of these taught generally the dualistic doctrine. The most important Agama of the Trika system was known as the Siva-Sutras. It is a collection of about eighty texts which were compiled by Vasugupta, and which are ascribed to Somanatha.
Spanda Shastra
This elaborates the principles laid down in the Siva-Sutras. It works out the details of the Siva-Sutras mainly from the point of view of Sakti. The main work of this Shastra is the Spanda-sutras or Spanda Karika as generally known. The Spanda-Sutras were written by Vasugupta. Some maintain that they were written by Kallata, the pupil of Vasugupta.
Pratyabhijha Shastra
This contains the philosophy proper of the system. It expounds the Trika philosophy by arguments and discussions. The first philosophical work was Siva-drsti composed by Somananda. He was the pupil of Vasugupta. The most important available work of this Shastra is the Pratyabhijna-sutras or Isvara-pratyabhijna by Utpala who was a pupil of Somananda. The Pratyabhijna-sutras acquired so much importance that the whole philosophy of Kashmir is generally known as Pratyabhijna-darsana.
Besides the above, there is the great work known as Tantraloka by Abhinavagupta. It is in 12 volumes and contains the Shaiva philosophy and practice in all their aspects. There is also the digest of the twelve volumes known as Tantrasara.
