The Ubiquitous Siva

John Nemec examines the beginnings of the non-dual tantric philosophy of the famed Pratyabhij?a or "Recognition [of God]" School of tenth-century Kashmir, the tradition most closely associated with Kashmiri Shaivism. In doing so it offers, for the very first time, a critical edition and annotated translation of a large portion of the first Pratyabhij?a text ever composed, the Sivadrsti of Somananda. In an extended introduction, Nemec argues that the author presents a unique form of non-dualism, a strict pantheism that declares all beings and entities found in the universe to be fully identical with the active and willful god Siva. This view stands in contrast to the philosophically more flexible panentheism of both his disciple and commentator, Utpaladeva, and the very few other Saiva tantric works that were extant in the author's day. Nemec also argues that the text was written for the author's fellow tantric initiates, not for a wider audience. This can be adduced from the structure of the work, the opponents the author addresses, and various other editorial strategies. Even the author's famous and vociferous arguments against the non-tantric Hindu grammarians may be shown to have been ultimately directed at an opposing Hindu tantric school that subscribed to many of the grammarians' philosophical views. Included in the volume is a critical edition and annotated translation of the first three (of seven) chapters of the text, along with the corresponding chapters of the commentary. These are the chapters in which Somananda formulates his arguments against opposing tantric authors and schools of thought. None of the materials made available in the present volume has ever been translated into English, apart from a brief rendering of the first chapter that was published without the commentary in 1957. None of the commentary has previously been translated into any language at all.

This is a sequel to a volume published in 2011 by OUP under the title The Ubiquitous Siva: Somananda's Sivadrsti and his Tantric Interlocutors. The first volume offered an introduction, critical edition, and annotated translation of the first three chapters of the Sivadrsti of Somananda, along with its principal commentary, the Sivadrstivrtti, written by Utpaladeva. It dealt primarily with Saiva theology and the religious views of competing esoteric traditions. The present volume presents the fourth chapter of the Sivadrsti and Sivadrstivrtti and addresses a fresh set of issues that engage a distinct family of opposing schools and authors of mainstream Indian philosophical traditions. In this fourth and final chapter, Somananda and Utpaladeva engage logical and philosophical works that exerted tremendous influence in the Indian subcontinent in its premodernity. Among the authors and schools addressed by Somananda in this chapter are the Buddhist Epistemologists, and Dharmakirti in particular; the Hindu school of hermeneutics, i.e., the Mimamsa; the Hindu realist schools of the logic- and debate-oriented Nyaya and their ontologically-oriented partners, the Vaisesika; and the Hindu, dualist Sankhya and Yoga schools. Throughout this chapter, Somananda endeavors to explain his brand of Saivism philosophically. Somananda challenges his philosophical interlocutors with a single over-arching argument: he suggests that their views cannot cohere--they cannot be explained logically--unless their authors accept the Saiva non-duality for which he advocates. The argument he offers, despite its historical influence, remains virtually unstudied. The Ubiquitous Siva Volume II offers the first English translation of Chapter Four of the Sivadrsti and Sivadrstivrtti along with an introduction and critical edition.

John Nemec examines the beginnings of the non-dual tantric philosophy of the famed Pratyabhij?a or "Recognition [of God]" School of tenth-century Kashmir, the tradition most closely associated with Kashmiri Shaivism. In doing so it offers, for the very first time, a critical edition and annotated translation of a large portion of the first Pratyabhij?a text ever composed, the Sivadrsti of Somananda. In an extended introduction, Nemec argues that the author presents a unique form of non-dualism, a strict pantheism that declares all beings and entities found in the universe to be fully identical with the active and willful god Siva. This view stands in contrast to the philosophically more flexible panentheism of both his disciple and commentator, Utpaladeva, and the very few other Saiva tantric works that were extant in the author's day. Nemec also argues that the text was written for the author's fellow tantric initiates, not for a wider audience. This can be adduced from the structure of the work, the opponents the author addresses, and various other editorial strategies. Even the author's famous and vociferous arguments against the non-tantric Hindu grammarians may be shown to have been ultimately directed at an opposing Hindu tantric school that subscribed to many of the grammarians' philosophical views. Included in the volume is a critical edition and annotated translation of the first three (of seven) chapters of the text, along with the corresponding chapters of the commentary. These are the chapters in which Somananda formulates his arguments against opposing tantric authors and schools of thought. None of the materials made available in the present volume has ever been translated into English, apart from a brief rendering of the first chapter that was published without the commentary in 1957. None of the commentary has previously been translated into any language at all.

This is a sequel to a volume published in 2011 by OUP under the title The Ubiquitous 'Siva: Som=ananda's 'Sivad.r.s.ti and his Tantric Interlocutors. The first volume offered an introduction, critical edition, and annotated translation of the first three chapters of the 'Sivad.r.s.ti of Som=ananda, along with its principal commentary, the 'Sivad.r.s.tiv.rtti, written by Utpaladeva. It dealt primarily with 'Saiva theology and the religious views of competing esoteric traditions. The present volume presents the fourth chapter of the 'Sivad.r.s.ti and 'Sivad.r.s.tiv.rtti and addresses a fresh set of issues that engage a distinct family of opposing schools and authors of mainstream Indian philosophical traditions. In this fourth chapter, Som=ananda and Utpaladeva engage logical and philosophical works that exerted tremendous influence in the Indian subcontinent in its premodernity. Among the authors and schools addressed by Som=ananda in this chapter are the Buddhist Epistemologists, and Dharmak=irti in particular; the Hindu school of hermeneutics, i.e., the M=im=a.ms=a; the Hindu realist schools of the logic- and debate-oriented Ny=aya and their ontologically-oriented partners, the Vaiśe.sika; and the Hindu, dualist S=a.mkhya and Yoga schools. Throughout this chapter, Som=ananda endeavors to explain his brand of 'Saivism philosophically. Som=ananda challenges his philosophical interlocutors with a single over-arching argument: he suggests that their views cannot coherethey cannot be explained logicallyunless their authors accept the 'Saiva non-duality for which he advocates. The argument he offers, despite its historical influence, remains virtually unstudied. The Ubiquitous 'Siva Volume II offers the first English translation of Chapter Four of the 'Sivad.r.s.ti and 'Sivad.r.s.tiv.rtti along with an introduction and critical edition.

Unravel the mysteries of Shiva, the multifaceted Hindu deity revered as the Lord of Scriptures. This comprehensive exploration delves into Shiva's origins in the Vedas, tracing his evolution into a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and liberation. Discover how his image intertwines with profound concepts like the cosmic dance (Nataraja), the interplay between Shiva and Shakti (the divine feminine force), and the enduring significance of scriptures within Hindu traditions. Learn how temples dedicated to Shiva act as symbolic texts, while yogic practices and sacred chants (mantras) become vehicles for transmitting knowledge and connecting with the divine. This captivating journey unveils the enduring legacy of Shiva, offering a fresh perspective on Hinduism's rich tapestry of symbolism and its pursuit of ultimate knowledge.

Christians have traditionally claimed that humans are created in the image of God (imago Dei), but they have consistently defined that image in ways that exclude people from full humanity. The most well-known definition locates the image in the rational soul, which is constructed in such a way that women, children, and many persons with disabilities are found deficient. Body Parts claims the importance of embodiment, difference, and limitation-not only as descriptions of the human condition but also as part of the imago Dei itself.

"This book investigates the history of a popular genre of Sanskrit devotional poetry in Kashmir: the stotra, or hymn of praise. Focusing on literary hymns from the eighth century to the twentieth, it studies the close link between literary and religious expression in South Asia--the relationship between poetry and prayer"--