Shaiva Devotional Songs of Kashmir: A Translation and Study of Utpaladeva's ShivastotravaliUtpaladeva was renowned as a siddha, a "perfected being," or enlightened master of the Tantric tradition in Kashmir. The Shivastotravali reflects Utpaladeva's philosophy, known as Pratyabhijna -- the splendor of Self-recognition. The Shivastotravali is a collection of ecstatic devotional songs expressing the process of awakening to Shiva's supreme consciousness. This exquisite path does not require relinquishing one's home and heading for a mountain cave. Instead, it calls for changing one's view of the world and recognizing divine consciousness in oneself, in others, and in every aspect of life. This supreme state, says Utpaladeva, arises naturally through bhakti, or ardent devotion.
For over a thousand years the Shaiva community of Kashmir has used in its worship the devotional songs of Utpaladeva's Shivastotravali. Constantina Rhodes Bailly here presents these songs for the first time in elegant English translations. She also provides a thematic introduction to the text, Sanskrit transliterations, two appendices on special aspects of Kashmir Shaivism, and extensive bibliography. Available in hardcover and paperback. Excerpts from Shaiva Devotional Songs of KashmirFrom the Introduction
The Shivastotravali has been called a sacred stream that flows between this world and the world of the gods, consecrating everything along its course. Madhuraja-yogin, a disciple of Abhinavagupta (and thereby a direct preceptorial descendent of Utpaladeva) so praises the Shivastotravali: Though there are over thousands of Streams of beautiful verses, None at all compares to that Celestial river, the Stotravali. As soon as it passes through the tirtha [sacred ford] of the ear It purifies the soul of man, And flows on to the throat, Where lies the city of Shrikantha [Shiva as the Blue-throated Lord]. From the Third Song: The Gift of Affection O Lord of the Universe! How lucky are your devotees, Worthy of being adored by you. For them, this turbulent ocean of the world Is like a great pleasure-lake For their amusement. From the Fourth Song: Potent Nectar He who utters the name of Shiva Hundreds and hundreds of times Grows great through the showering Of the sweet, sublime nectar. The marvelous power of this word Enters even into the hearts of fools. And that word, which flows like honey From the nectar-crescent of the moon, Causes the highest nectar to flow -- That is the sound of Shiva. The blessed Ever have this sound upon their lips. From the Sixteenth Song: Breaking out of the Fetters What indeed is there in the world That does not conceal you? Yet nothing exists that can conceal You from the devotees. Attained by so many disciples And with so many attributes You appear at all times to the devotees In your true form, O Lord. Triumphant, they laugh, And vanquished, they laugh even more -- Leaving behind not only base powers, But liberation itself. In the same way that it arose in me, Allow this love of devotion Previously unknown to me To grow greater still, O Lord. Truly, I have no other entreaty but this: Let me for all time, O Lord, Be consumed with unending devotion. Let me be enraged and yet Compassionate toward the world. And thus in the madness of devotion May I laugh and weep and chant Shiva, thunderously. What is called liberation Is simply the ripeness of devotion, O Lord. Having taken the first steps toward that, We are even now almost liberated. Here in this world Another world exists That bears as fruit joyousness For your devotees. May there be devotion to you As the Secret One, as the Transcendent One, As Lord of the Universe, As Shambhu, as Shiva, As the Celestial One. Ah, how indeed could I ever express it? Devotion, devotion, devotion To the Transcendent One. Ardent devotion! This is why I cry and clamor! Let me have ardent devotion for you, Only you. |
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