Review of Natalia Isayeva's "From Early Vedanta to Kashmir Shaivism"
I loved this book edited by the State University of New York Press
Review of Natalia Isayeva's "From Early Vedanta to Kashmir Shaivism"- AI Image by Author.
Immersing in Natalia Isayeva's "From Early Vedanta to Kashmir Shaivism", a powerful thirst gripped me - to decipher existence's deepest mysteries and the intricate relationship between mortals and the divine.
Sincere thanks to the State University of New York Press for gifting this profound work.
From the very first pages, this journey made me think deeply about many aspects of the rich Indian philosophical tradition. The starting point was the revolutionary concept of "Realization is establishment within oneself," introduced by the early Vedantist Gaudapada in his Mandukya Karika:
"prāptasya prāptiḥ ātmaniṣṭhā" (Māṇḍūkya Kārikā 1.2)
"The attainment of the already attained is through the Self."
This maxim struck me with its transformative power. Gaudapada seemed to suggest that the ultimate realization, the fulfillment we so desperately seek, is not something to be attained, but a fundamental reality that simply awaits recognition in our very essential nature.
Natalia Isayeva's "From Early Vedanta to Kashmir Shaivism"
Boundless presence
This insight holds the potential to shatter the chains of our self-imposed limitations, opening the doors to an existence free from the incessant pursuit of something "other." By embracing this truth, every moment becomes a celebration of the wholeness that has always been present, inviting us to dance with life in a state of boundless presence.
But the inward journey proposed by Isayeva does not stop there. The author pushed me to reflect on the role of language as an instrument of spiritual knowledge, analyzing the profound reflections of the philosopher Bhartrhari. According to what is expressed in his Vākyapadīya:
"Just as the fire which is within the churnsticks is the cause of the other fire (which is kindled), similarly, the word which is in the mind (of the speaker) becomes the cause of the different expressive words."
In this quote, Bhartrhari reminds us that the inner word, the seed of language present in the speaker's mind, is itself the cause of the outer expressive words. Just as the fire hidden in the churnsticks gives rise to the visible flame, so the inner language shapes the manifest one.
The role of language and Sphuratta
This perspective led me to rethink the role of language as a bridge between the temporal and the eternal, between finite manifestation and the underlying infinite.
Words are not just tools we use to share information. They are tiny windows that allow us to perceive the fundamental nature of all existence. Each sound and syllable that makes up a word does not simply refer to an object or idea. Rather, those small elements of language manifest the supreme, all-encompassing divine force that gives life to the entire cosmos. When we speak or write words, we are not merely naming things - we are giving voice to the sacred, unifying essence that flows through every speck of the universe without exception. Language is an echo of the infinite, eternal truth underlying all of reality.
But it is not only language that offers food for thought in this book. The exploration of the link between the early Vedantic thought and the doctrines of Kashmir Shaivism opened my eyes to new philosophical and cosmological perspectives.
The concept of "Sphuratta," the intermittent vibration of divine consciousness that permeates every aspect of existence, compelled me to rethink my vision of reality. According to the Pratyabhijñā school, a fundamental current of Kashmiri Shaivism, the manifest universe is not an illusion (Māyā) to be overcome, as suggested by Adi Shankara in Advaita Vedanta. Rather, it is the very self-revelation of the Divine in an incessant dance of light and shadow, of finite and infinite.
This non-dualistic perspective, which rejects the dichotomy between transcendence and immanence, led me to recognize the intimate connection between the Divine and the world. In Kashmir Shaivism, the Absolute is not conceived as an impersonal and transcendent Brahman but as Shiva, the unitary cosmic principle immanent in all things.
Abhinavagupta
And just when I thought I had reached the pinnacle of this philosophical exploration, Isayeva opened a further window into the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism through the enlightening words of the genius Abhinavagupta:
"..Self-apprehending consciousness is the very self of consciousness.
It is the supreme word (para vak) which always manifests itself by
itself. It is freedom (svatantrya). It is the supreme power of the
highest self. This consciousness is vibratory light (sphuratta). It
is absolute reality (mahasatta) which is beyond spatial and temporal
distinctions. This consciousness being the universal essence is
called the Heart of the Lord.."
(Abhinavagupta)
In this quote, Abhinavagupta describes consciousness as a "vibratory light" (Sphuratta) and "absolute reality" (mahāsattā) beyond spatiotemporal distinctions. A "freedom" (svātantrya) and "supreme power of the highest Self" made me deeply reflect on the very nature of my consciousness and its connection to the cosmos.
But beyond the philosophical perspectives, this book also prompted me to reflect on the interconnectedness of all elements of existence and the central role of the Shiva-Shakti duality in Kashmiri cosmology.
According to the teachings of Abhinavagupta, the universe itself is a manifestation of the dynamic interaction between Shiva, the conscious and immutable principle, and Shakti, the creative and dynamic power of the Goddess. It is this cosmic dance between being and becoming, between the eternal and the transitory, that gives rise to every form and movement of existence.
Creative energy
When I look at the natural event called "komorebi," where sunbeams shine through the green treetops, making an ever-changing pattern of light and dark spots on the ground, I sense a temporary likeness to the sacred dance of Shiva and Shakti. Amid this brief interplay of brightness and shade, movement and stillness, I catch a quick glimpse into the unending source of creative energy that is the origin of awareness itself.
It is as if nature itself reminds me that the solid world surrounding me is, at its core, an expression of a vibrant and ever-becoming energy, a manifestation of Shakti's dynamic power shaped by Shiva's awareness.
And in those moments of profound inner stillness, in meditation, I can perceive the subtle pulsations of my very own consciousness, like an echo of komorebi within me. A glimmer of my true nature that, for an instant, pierces the shadows of limited perception, allowing me to align with the cosmic rhythms of the dance of Shiva and Shakti.
Isayeva has truly guided me on an extraordinary journey, an epic exploration of the roots of Indian philosophy that challenged my most deep-seated beliefs. Every chapter of this book was an invitation to expand the boundaries of my mind, to let myself be permeated by the profound currents of Vedantic thought and the doctrines of Kashmiri Shaivism.
Exploration
Gaudapada's non-dualistic vision, with his revolutionary concept of "Prāptasya prāptiḥ ātmaniṣṭhā," pushed me to question my incessant search for outer fulfilment, pointing the way for me to recognize the wholeness already present within.
Bhartrhari's reflections on language as an expression of ultimate reality made me understand the mystic and symbolic potential inherent in every word, every syllable, and every phoneme. A potential that transcends mere communication to become a bridge toward transcendent dimensions.
But it was especially in the exploration of Kashmir Shaivism that I found the most transformative perspectives. The concept of Sphuratta, the intermittent vibration of divine consciousness, compelled me to abandon the view of the universe as an illusion to be transcended, instead embracing the idea of the constant self-revelation of the Divine through every form and movement of existence.
And herein perhaps lies the deepest difference between Kashmir Shaivism and Adi Shankara's Vedanta. While the latter conceives of Brahman as an impersonal and transcendent entity, beyond the illusory universe, Kashmiri Shaivism sees in Shiva the unitary cosmic principle, immanent and inseparable from every aspect of creation.
Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism
In this vision, the Divine is not a philosophical abstraction but a living reality that pulses and vibrates in every corner of existence. Shiva is not only the immutable witness of the universe but also the dynamic source from which it continually springs forth, shaped by the eternal dance with his feminine counterpart, Shakti.
It is this interaction between Shiva's conscious and immutable principle and Shakti's creative and dynamic power that gives rise to the incessant flow of cosmic forms and movements. A cosmic dance reflected in the ever-changing patterns of light and shadow of komorebi, reminding us that the solid world surrounding us is but an expression of a vibrant, ever-becoming energy.
And in those rare moments of profound inner stillness, when I manage to align with the rhythms of this dance, I experience an echo of Sphuratta within me. A glimmer of my true nature that pierces the shadows of limited perception, allowing me to recognize the underlying unity of all existence and my unbreakable bond with the Divine.
Potebnja
Among the profound insights Natalia Isayeva elucidates in this book, the teachings of Aleksandr Afanas'evič Potebnja stand out as truly transformative. His revolutionary assertion that art is a dynamic "energy" continuously recreated, rather than a static "finished work," resonates deeply. Potebnja's quote -
"Art is not an έργον ('finished work') but an ένέργεια ('energy') — something that continues to be created"
upended my perception, enabling me to experience art as an ever-evolving, participatory process intertwined with the viewer's subjectivity. Isayeva masterfully guides the reader through Potebnja's vision, where artworks become conduits for personal growth and self-discovery.
His linguistic insights, expertly woven throughout, unveil how language sculpts interior landscapes, making art a portal into imagination's depths. Encountering Potebnja's ideas through Isayeva's exploration liberated me from viewing art as something to merely consume, instead embracing its transcendent potential as a journey of contemplation and co-creation. As I engaged with his revelations, each artistic experience transformed into an active dialogue where my emotions mingled with the creator's intent, birthing unique interpretations. Isayeva's profound analysis beckons the reader to unlock art's capacity for self-realization and the inexhaustible depths of creativity.
And…so?
Isayeva has truly opened my eyes to a universe of spiritual and philosophical possibilities, inviting me to leave behind the limitations of dualistic thinking and embrace the non-dual vision of cosmic unity. A unity that does not deny the multiplicity of forms but celebrates them as expressions of the single underlying reality—the Divine that pulses and vibrates in every corner of existence.
In the end, this book is a valuable present for anyone who wants to grow their knowledge and deeply understand Indian wisdom. It is a work that, like an ancient saying, will stay with me for a long time, reminding me that everything is connected and that I am closely united with the cosmic force that surrounds and gives life to all things.
What do you think about my article?
Feel free to leave a comment.
I have woven tales to share, for any who care to read them. My books await you on Google Books. Check also my stories on Medium.com.
I am actively involved in helping to train AI models to become better writers. Therefore, I would be grateful to anyone who is in contact with this industry to recommend me to the right people. Thanks.
I would be honoured if you considered subscribing to the Premium Contents of my Vedanta Substack and leaving feedback, comments, and suggestions both on this page and by writing to me at cosmicdancerpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you for reading.