Aphorisms of Śiva: The ŚivaSūtra with Bhāskara's Commentary, the Vārttika

by Vasugupta, Mark S.G. Dyczkowski (Translator), Paul E. Muller-Ortega (Foreword)

The ŚivaSūtra was revealed to Vasugupta by Śiva in order to counter the effects of dualism. This revelation initiated the hermeneutics of syntheses and exegesis climaxed by the great Abhinavagupta. The ŚivaSūtra 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 Ksemarāja'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 Ksemarāja.

Mark S. G. Dyczkowski took his first degree at Banaras Hindu University and then his doctorate at Oxford. He is presently associated with Sampurnananda Sanskrit University in Varanasi. He is the author of The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism; The Canon of the Śaivāgama and the Kubjikā: Tantras of the Western Kaula Tradition; and The Stanzas on Vibration: The SpandaKārikā with Four Commentaries.

Genres: Hinduism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, India

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Todd Settimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the most to the point spiritual scripture available. It wastes no time with any stories of pious deeds, codes of conduct, speculations about what cannot be known. It deals strictly with the heart of the matter - Who am I?

[Vanni Santoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

una delle tante ragioni per cui sarebbe opportuno erigere monumenti a Calasso è la capacità di separare lo zucchero dalla sabbia nella letteratura metafisica, che in altri paesi (ma anche da noi, fuori appunto da Adelphi) trova spazio in collane in cui l'oro colato sta accanto, senza ritegno alcuno, alla peggio paccottiglia.

[Nikolas Alixopulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that you never really "finish" once you hit the last page. The aphorisms are meant to be wrestled with, pondered, and meditated on. Others may disagree, but I consider it to be among the classics of "spiritual" texts in the same company as the The Dhammapada or The Tao Te Ching.

[Kaśyap · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important Shastra of Trika darśana.

[Ishmael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. Very illuminating. But can be cryptic at times. This is it here, a codex to God. I will revisit it many times in the future. This requires contemplation, meditation, and revisiting. I think I’ll understand more and more of it as time goes on and my practice deepens.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind altering.

Translated with such devotion.

[Drake Sully · Rating 5 out of 5]

स्वर्ण ✨

[Simon Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study for anyone willing to understand the fundamental nature of human, and universal, experience.

[Shiva Somadev · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the hunger for the realization of the Ultimate Truth grows deeper and deeper in the true devotee of Her Majesty Divine Truth, he/she discovers scriptures of Divine Origin. Shiva Sutras were revealed to sage Vasugupta in a dream by a Siddha (perfected being) who told Vasugupta : "On the Mahadeva mountain, the secret doctrines are inscribed on a piece of stone. Collecting the doctrines from there, teach them to those who deserves grace". Shiva Sutras , therefore attributed to Shiva Himself. It is impossible to underestimate the importance of this book. This book is of greatest importance for those who seriously interested in the Ultimate Reality. It is not only perfectly describes Reality, but more that that, it offers three Upayas (spiritual practices, yoga) for different levels of aspirants for the Realization of Siva Consciousness - Sambhava Upaya, Saktopaya and Anavopaya. From my own experience, if one is deeply longing for the realization of the Ultimate Truth, one is inevitably should discover the well of wisdom of Kashmir Shaivism tradition, going ever deeper into the Krama, Kula and Trika systems of Yoga and Phlosophy. If you have never read it, you missed one of the most important spiritual work of all times. Jaideva Singh translation is very good. You can also check translations and commentaries on Shiva Sutras by the great exponent of Kashmir Shaivism tradition Swami Lakshmanjoo.

[Sahajavidya · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read the Shiva Sutras I found it to be like the brahmarandhra; in that they both went over my head…
But after studying ‘Consciousness is everything’ by Swami Shankarananda and the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra I again picked up Singh’s Shiva Sutras.

Now better equipped to interpret the text, I have appreciated Singhs distinction between each section and the differing upayas. Starting from the highest, this makes for a valuable resource (or handbook) regardless of their existing level of understanding or attainment.

[Allen O'Dell Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaideva's translations can be difficult to wade through, but he has made available some if the most valuable texts of Kashmir Shaivism. Here is a centuries old mystical philosophy that dovetails most perfectly with the latest scientific discoveries. The Siva Sutras are the primary text of this school.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and reread this book for the better part of two years. There's some really great insight to be found for all kinds, def including shaktas. The thread that kept me coming back was "being held captive by the goddess".

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

the essential (ancient) text of Tantra, highly readable and deeply inspiring!

[Salvatore Familia]

The ŚivaSūtra was revealed to Vasugupta by Śiva in order to counter the effects of dualism. This revelation initiated the hermeneutics of syntheses and exegesis climaxed by the great Abhinavagupta. The ŚivaSūtra 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 Ksemarāja'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 Ksemarāja.

Mark S. G. Dyczkowski took his first degree at Banaras Hindu University and then his doctorate at Oxford. He is presently associated with Sampurnananda Sanskrit University in Varanasi. He is the author of The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism; The Canon of the Śaivāgama and the Kubjikā: Tantras of the Western Kaula Tradition; and The Stanzas on Vibration: The SpandaKārikā with Four Commentaries.

[Ruslan Dobro · Rating 4 out of 5]

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