From Early Vedanta to Kashmir Shaivism : Gaudapada, Bhartrhari, and Abhinavagupta
Indian Books Centre
Abhinavagupta
Natalia Isayeva, Satguru, 1997, Reprint, x, 197 p, ISBN : 81-7030-556-X,
Contents: Introduction. I. Gaudapada: The Mind and the Cosmos: Reflection of
Prototype: 1. Gaudapada: life and works. 2. Mandukya-Karika: the traditions
of consciousness. 3. Mandukya-Karika: the illusory world and the problem of
creation. 4. Mandukya-Karika: the shimmering of cosmos. II. Bhartrhari:
Speech and the World: Creation or Expression?: 5. Bhartrhari. 6.
Vakya-padiya. 7. Manifestations of speech. 8. Language and being. 9. The
structure of the universe and the place of man. III. Further Developments:
The Interplay of Energies and Artistic Creation: 10. Early Vedanta and
Kashmir Saivism. 11. The concept of energies: neoplatonist and hesychast
parallels. 12. Abhinavagupta's aesthetics. The name and the voice: some
concluding unscientific remarks. Index.
"This book deals with one of the most interesting periods in the development
of Indian religious and philosophical traditions. Starting with the teaching
of the protovedantist philosopher Gaudapada, and then analyzing the ideas of
his famous contemporary, the grammarian Bhartrhari, the author suggests an
entirely new approach to the whole history of Vedanta.
"Gaudapada and Bhartrhari are presented as founders of an independent trend
with in Indian orthodox philosophy, a trend that culminates lates in the
theistic tenets of Kashmir Shaivism. Isayeva shows that, in contrast to
Sankara, early Vedantist philosophers regarded the higher Brahman as a kind
of continuous reverberation of peculiar phonic energy that was ever
producing the same constantly renewable structures and patterns of the
universe. This idea found its continuation in the metaphysical and
aesthetical concepts of Abhinavagupta, where the ultimate ontological
reality is manifested through the rhythmical outbursts of God's creative
power.
"The relationship between Gaudapada, Bhartrhari, and Shankara has never been
given the in-depth exploration that Isayeva offers. Her analysis
demonstrates a major continuity of thought from Gaudapada through Bhartrhari
to Abhinavagupta and Kashmir Shaivism, a line hinted at by others but never
analyzed in depth.
"Reading this book led tot several 'aha' moments for me, as hunches I have
had for many years were given detailed analysis and confirmation. But my
eyes were opened as well to a new way of seeing the development of Indian
philosophy during the crucial period of 500-1000 A.D. The author's bringing
together of Gaudapada and Bhartrhari is a major step forward in
scholarship."
[Natalia Isayeva's books include Shankara and Indian Philosophy
Thanking You
Varun Gupta
Indian Books Centre
40/ 5, Shakti Nagar,
Delhi 110007
Ph. No. 2384 4930, 2384 6497
Fax No. 91-11- 2384 7336
Website http://www.indianbookscentre.com
Email ibci...@vsnl.com
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