The Aphorisms Of Iva

The ’iva SÊtra was revealed to Vasugupta by ’iva in orderto counter the effects of dualism. This revelation initiated thehermeneutics of synthesis and exegesis climaxed by the greatAbhinavagupta. The ’iva SÊtra is the most important scripturein the Trika system of Kashmir Shaivism. As a book onyoga, it explains the nature and cause of bondage and themeans to liberation from bondage. To BhÈskara s commentary,the author has added his translation of an anonymouscommentary as an aid to understanding BhÈskara s interpretation.This anonymous writer also serves as a bridge betweenK emarÈja s and BhÈskara s commentaries, drawing from both.

The Shiva Sutra was revealed to Vasugupta by Shiva in order to counter the effects of dualism. This revelation initiated the hermeneutics of syntheses and exegesis climaxed by the great Abhinavagupta. The Shiva Sutra is the most important scripture in the Trika system of Kashmir Shaivism. As a book on yoga, it explains the nature and cause of bondage and the means to liberation from bondage. Bhāskara is in the direct lineage of Vasugupta. To Bhāskara's commentary, Mark Dyczkowski has added his translation of an anonymous commentary as an aid to understanding Bhāskara's interpretation. This anonymous writer also serves as a bridge between Kṣemarāja's and Bhāskara's commentaries, drawing from both. The commentary on each sutra is thus in three layers. Bhāskara's commentary is first, followed by the anonymous commentary, after which Dyczkowski adds his own exposition and compares Bhāskara and Kṣemarāja. Kṣemarāja's commentary, the Vimarsini, has been translated by Jaideva Singh and published by SUNY Press under the title Siva Sutra.