Utpaladeva (late 9th early 10th century) was a great philosopher of the School of Recognition of non-dualist Kashmir Shaivism, who established its philosophy on a solid basis with his Ishvarapratyabhijna Karikas (Verses on the Recognition of the Lord), and with three philosophical works, the Siddhitrayi. He was the predecessor (Paramaguru) of the great Abhinavagupta. But at the same time he was a mystic of bhakti as we find it here expressed in his Hymns Shivastotravali. For him, bhakti and advaita were not opposed to each other but complementary.The Shivastotravali is a collection of verses and hymns which are an expression of intense bhakti, longing for the Lord, and the mystical experience of the author and his non-dual union with Shiva. They were arranged in 20 chapters or Stotras by his disciples. Of highly poetic quality, these verses belong to the greatest mystical literatures of the world. Swami Lakshman Joo, the last Shaivacarya of Kashmir (1907 1991), combined in himself the great scholar of the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, who taught and expounded its texts time and again to his disciples and to scholars from all parts of the world, and the perfect yogi who had an intimate experience of the spirituality contained therein. He had a special love for the Shivastotravali and expounded it many times in different languages (Kashmiri, Hindi and English). His edition of the Shivastotravali with Kshemaraja's commentary and his Hindi translation remains the standard text. In the present volume his exposition in English is brought out for the first time.

Sivastotravali of Utpaladeva

Swami Lakshman Joo

D.K. Printworld

<p>It teaches 112 dharanas or ways of centring awareness and entering divine consciousness, which include ordinary and extraordinary experiences, as well as tantric methods of spiritual practice such as kundalini, mantra and mudra. This ancient text is of great relevance for a spirituality of our times which has to integrate all aspects of life.</p>

Vijnana Bhairava The Practice of Centering Awareness

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Books by Swami Lakshman Joo

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Swami Lakshman Joo. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Sivastotravali of Utpaladeva

Vijnana Bhairava The Practice of Centering Awareness