Скачать или смотреть Shiva Sutras (Kashmir Shaivism)

0:00 चेतना ही आत्मा है। — Consciousness is the Self.
42:22 चित्त ही मंत्र है। — Mind is mantra.
1:04:30 आत्मा ही चित्त है। — Self is mind.

The “Shiva Sutras” of Vasugupta are a short but very important book from ancient India. These Sutras are a group of 77 brief sayings (called sutras) about the nature of reality and how people can realize their true, divine self. They are the founding text of a spiritual tradition called Kashmir Shaivism, which teaches that everything in the universe is a form of Lord Shiva, who is actually pure consciousness.

Where Did the Shiva Sutras Come From?

The Shiva Sutras are said to have been revealed to a wise man named Vasugupta around the 9th century CE (which means about 1,100 years ago). He lived in the Kashmir Valley, a beautiful region in northern India, near the Himalayan mountains.

There are two main legends about how Vasugupta found the Shiva Sutras:

In one story, Lord Shiva appeared to Vasugupta in a dream and told him to find a certain large rock on a mountain called Mahadeva. When Vasugupta found the rock, he saw the 77 sutras carved magically onto its surface.

In another story, Shiva whispered the sutras to Vasugupta in a dream or vision, and Vasugupta wrote them down.

Either way, the Shiva Sutras are believed to have a divine origin and are considered a sacred gift to humanity.

What Do the Shiva Sutras Teach?

The Shiva Sutras are all about realizing our own deepest nature. According to these teachings, every living being is actually a form of pure, universal consciousness. This consciousness is called “Shiva.” Most people forget this because they are caught up in thoughts, habits, and the outside world, but the Shiva Sutras show ways to wake up and experience true freedom and happiness.

The teachings are divided into three parts, each showing a different “path” for spiritual seekers:

Shāmbhavopāya (Way of Shiva):
This is the most direct path. It teaches that a person can instantly realize their true nature by simply becoming aware—like waking up from a dream. No long rituals or complicated practices are needed.

Shāktopāya (Way of Shakti):
This way uses the mind, but in a deep and subtle way. Seekers use special thoughts, mantras, and awareness to go beyond ordinary thinking and reach the truth.

Āṇavopāya (Way of the Individual):
This is the path for most people. It uses physical practices like breathing exercises, meditations, and chanting to help purify the mind and body, making it easier to realize the highest truth.

Each part has its own set of sutras, and together they cover all types of spiritual seekers.

Who Wrote the Shiva Sutras and Who Explained Them?

The main author or “receiver” of the Shiva Sutras is Vasugupta. But because the sutras are very short and deep, many other scholars and saints wrote explanations called commentaries to help people understand them.

Some of the most famous commentators are:

Bhāskara: He wrote a commentary called the Vārttika. He lived not long after Vasugupta and helped explain the meaning of the sutras.

Kṣemarāja: He was a student of another great teacher named Abhinavagupta. Kṣemarāja wrote the Vimarśinī, the most famous and detailed commentary on the Shiva Sutras.

Abhinavagupta: Although he didn’t write a direct commentary on the Shiva Sutras, he was a great philosopher in the Kashmir Shaivism tradition and influenced many teachers.

Later, other scholars and teachers added their own ideas and made the teachings even richer.

How Are the Shiva Sutras Studied Today?

The Shiva Sutras are still studied by spiritual seekers all over the world, especially in India. They are part of the wider tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, which is famous for its philosophy of “oneness.” Modern translations and books help English readers understand these teachings. Some famous translators and scholars are Jaideva Singh and Mark Dyczkowski.

People study the Shiva Sutras to learn about meditation, self-awareness, and the unity of all life. Some even visit the spot in Kashmir where Vasugupta is said to have discovered the sutras.

Why Are the Shiva Sutras Important?

The Shiva Sutras are important because they show a way to overcome fear, sadness, and confusion by discovering the light of consciousness inside ourselves. They teach that we are not just ordinary people, but actually divine in our deepest self. By following the paths in the sutras, anyone can discover peace and joy that lasts.