ŚIVA SŪTRAS
Introduction
The Śiva Sūtras is one of the Agamas or sacred texts considered to come directly from Śiva, the Supreme Reality. It was revealed to Vasugupta, the founder of the Non-dual Shaivism of Kashmir in around 900CE. This makes the Śiva Sūtras a fairly contemporary Yoga scripture, at least when compared to the Bhagavad Gītā or the Yoga Sūtras. Like the other Yoga texts, the Śiva Sūtras outlines the principles and practices of Yoga; however, the Śiva Sūtras focuses more on the process of enlightenment than on the technical aspects of the path.
Non-dual Shaivism of Kashmir is called Trika, which means “threefold”, because the system deals with the trinity of Śiva, God; Śakti, the manifestation or power of God; and nara, the human being. Likewise, the Śiva Sūtras divides the path into three upāyas or means to awakening. Āṇavopāya, the method of the limited, human being; Śāktopāya, the method of Śakti; and Śāmbhvopāya, the method of Śambhu or Śiva.
Āṇavopāya is the first level of Yoga practice. This method includes practices, such as breath control, mantra recitation, meditation on an object, and other techniques that utilize the physical or subtle body, or some other object.
Śāktopāya is the next level of the path. Śakti is the creative energy of Śiva, which manifests the objective universe. This universe is of the nature of consciousness, which is manifested through the mind. Śāktopāya is uniting the mind with the source of thought, which is pure I-consciousness or self-awareness. This is also the source of speech, so mantra meditation is a major practice in this means.
Śāmbhavopāya is abiding in the Self and it is the highest of the three methods. This method is, basically, maintaining Self-awareness.
The Śiva Sūtras presents the path to awakening in reverse; that is, it begins with Self-awareness and regresses, so to speak, to Āṇavopāya, the first level of practice. However, one should keep in mind that the path is not necessarily linear. These methods can coexist or one can practice an Āṇavopāya technique, such as breath meditation, through to awakening. Progression on the path is in terms of spiritual intelligence not in what techniques one performs. Different methods are there so people can use the means that corresponds to their temperament and ability. These methods are meant to help the aspirant recognize what they truly are and what they are not; so, whichever of these methods one practices, with sincerity and dedication, it will lead them to the Highest Goal.
Sūtra is Sanskrit for a thread or string. In writing, a sūtra is an aphorism, a brief saying. That brevity can make interpreting these texts challenging. So, as an aid to studying the Śiva Sūtras, they are being presented with commentary (in italics) on the pages divided by section. There is also a text only page for uninterrupted reading.
Non-dual Shaivism of Kashmir is called Trika, which means “threefold”, because the system deals with the trinity of Śiva, God; Śakti, the manifestation or power of God; and nara, the human being. Likewise, the Śiva Sūtras divides the path into three upāyas or means to awakening. Āṇavopāya, the method of the limited, human being; Śāktopāya, the method of Śakti; and Śāmbhvopāya, the method of Śambhu or Śiva.
Āṇavopāya is the first level of Yoga practice. This method includes practices, such as breath control, mantra recitation, meditation on an object, and other techniques that utilize the physical or subtle body, or some other object.
Śāktopāya is the next level of the path. Śakti is the creative energy of Śiva, which manifests the objective universe. This universe is of the nature of consciousness, which is manifested through the mind. Śāktopāya is uniting the mind with the source of thought, which is pure I-consciousness or self-awareness. This is also the source of speech, so mantra meditation is a major practice in this means.
Śāmbhavopāya is abiding in the Self and it is the highest of the three methods. This method is, basically, maintaining Self-awareness.
The Śiva Sūtras presents the path to awakening in reverse; that is, it begins with Self-awareness and regresses, so to speak, to Āṇavopāya, the first level of practice. However, one should keep in mind that the path is not necessarily linear. These methods can coexist or one can practice an Āṇavopāya technique, such as breath meditation, through to awakening. Progression on the path is in terms of spiritual intelligence not in what techniques one performs. Different methods are there so people can use the means that corresponds to their temperament and ability. These methods are meant to help the aspirant recognize what they truly are and what they are not; so, whichever of these methods one practices, with sincerity and dedication, it will lead them to the Highest Goal.
Sūtra is Sanskrit for a thread or string. In writing, a sūtra is an aphorism, a brief saying. That brevity can make interpreting these texts challenging. So, as an aid to studying the Śiva Sūtras, they are being presented with commentary (in italics) on the pages divided by section. There is also a text only page for uninterrupted reading.
Go To Section I
