Kashmir as the cradle of highest knowledge
When we know more about who we are and take pride in our past, it inculcates a sense of responsibility and ownership towards our cultural roots, language, music, food, and knowledge systems. India is blessed with a vast heritage of spiritual literature, and Kashmir has been one of its finest centres.
Kashmiri Shaivism carries within it the essence of all great traditions. Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, and Buddhism all find resonance here. Texts like Vigyan Bhairav and Parah Praveshika, authored by Abhinav Gupta, were born and preserved in this land. This knowledge belongs to the world.
One of the most profound gifts from Kashmir is Vigyan Bhairav
If you are well-versed with texts like Vigyan Bhairav from Kashmiri Shaivism, you’ll know meditation is not foreign to Kashmir. Meditation is Kashmir’s own heritage, and it has nothing to do with religious beliefs.
“Ankhon me jag chavi dhundlai, vishayon ki pakar na reh pai, man ne urdhvagati pai, para devi prakat hui, param anubhuti wahan pai.” (The visions of the world faded from the eyes; the grip of the senses loosened; the mind began to rise upward; the Para Devi revealed herself; and there, the supreme experience unfolded.)
This is the knowledge of Vigyan Bhairav, the science of consciousness, and it comes from Kashmir. Such high wisdom has existed here, yet even today very few people in the country know about it. Somewhere, once, these verses were inscribed on stone. Such depth is the heritage of Kashmir, unparalleled anywhere else in the world, and even within Kashmir, only a few are aware of it.
Spandakarika: The Pulse of Creation
Among the most fascinating texts is the Spandakarika, which speaks about the pulsation of creation itself. Recently, while travelling, I met a few scientists. When I mentioned Spandakarika, they were astonished. They said this is exactly what modern physics is speaking about today.
It says that the entire universe is nothing but vibration. We usually imagine that God must be some special vibration and we are all ordinary vibrations. But the truth is the opposite. God is the common vibration, the Self. All that we see as objects and people are the special vibrations. Such profound knowledge has arisen from Kashmir.
The Vision of Rishi Kashyapa
From this land came the honourable Rishi Kashyapa. Who is Kashyapa? One who can truly see. Seeing the common things that everyone sees is no big deal. But perceiving what others cannot see, that capacity is Kashyapa. We get lost in the scenery and forget the seer. We get lost in our roles and forget who is playing them.
If someone abuses you or calls you a monkey, see how angry you become. We get carried away by small things, by mere words. If you could only become a witness to them and say to yourself, “Why should I be distracted? There is no shortage of fools in this world,” you would rise above it. The moment you see that the words are outside and you are the one behind them, transformation begins. A new world opens.
Kashyapa lived with this awareness. He was happy because he was conscious. Kashyapa is not only a person but also a position, an upadhi, for one who is always aware. He sees ignorance, and he also sees the wound behind someone’s sadness. One who can see beyond words and behaviour, into the mind and heart, is Kashyapa.
Kashmir valued such knowledge systems for ages. Even the Natya Shastra (Science of dance), Paak Shastra (Science of cooking), and many scriptures on governance and arts came from this land. Much of it is lost today.
There is a story
A king once wanted the strongest chest with a lock nobody could open. The craftsman made a perfect lock and only one key. One day the king lost that key. All locksmiths tried and failed. Finally, the one who made it was called. He wept, unable to open what he himself had created.
Some people can create, but cannot maintain or transform. Nuclear scientists, for example, have created nuclear weapons, but they must also maintain secrecy. Nuclear power can make bombs, but it can also generate energy or clean water. Only a conscious person knows how to use anything for the benefit of society. Even a knife is not sinful. It is the awareness with which you use it that matters. Such awareness is Kashyapa.
This is Kashmir, the land of great vision, of large-hearted people who embraced languages and cultures from everywhere: Persian, Arabic, and many others. They never turned anyone away. Over time, much of this heritage has been forgotten, but its essence is still vibrant.
The Spirit of Kashmiri Shaivism
Diversity of faith is the pride of this world. We do not need to fight over it. All paths lead towards the same Light. Kashmiri Shaivism speaks of this unity of consciousness. It does not give excessive prominence to rituals. Rituals are merely the beginning, like something for children.
What is puja? God has given us everything, and in puja we return it. The Divine worships you in countless forms. When you offer everything back, that is puja. The word ‘puja’ means that which is born of fullness. When you feel grateful for everything nature has provided and bring that gratitude to your awareness, that is worship.
The sun and moon are given to you by God. In the morning, you light a lamp and perform aarti, saying, “May my life revolve around you.” Similarly, in Kashmir, they welcome you with loban; the fragrance doesn’t just stay in one place, it spreads, and so should our love.
The beauty of Kashmiri Shaivism is, it talks about the formless God, who is omnipresent, who is the light, who is present within you. How do you do that? Look at the breath, look at the blue sky. That is why Islam has been accepted here very easily. That is why Islam found such easy acceptance here. In Shaivism, too, the sky is Shiva, one who is formless and infinite. Shiva is the one who is everywhere.
The Light Within
What is the crown of Shiva? The moon. The moon holds great importance in Kashmiri Shaivism, just as it does in Islam. Also addressed as Chandrachur or Chandramouli, Shiva is the mind of the universe, the formless One. This entire creation is His body. When we worship Shiva, we see that He has no beginning and no end, like the sky. Such is the description of Allah as well. Shiva is beyond the three states of waking, sleeping, and dreaming. The one who sees this becomes a Rishi, a saint, one who has realised the Light.
To know this Light, we must ask: Who am I? Are you the body? Look at your childhood photo. The body has changed. The mind also changes through the day and seasons. Thoughts and feelings keep changing. So who are you behind all this? This journey is essential.
It is said that Saraswati resides in Kashmir. Knowledge has flowed from Kashmir. In schools, the prayer used to be: “O Goddess from Kashmir, grant us intellect and knowledge.” This is the secret of Kashmir. Connect with the Light. Then no one will feel alien. Everyone will be yours. The whole world will be yours.
