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Abhinavagupta
Born Shankara
c. 950 AD
Kashmir, India
Died c. 1020 AD
Mangam, Kashmir, India
Titles/honours Most distinguished exponent of
the monistic Shaivism of
Kashmir
Guru ambhuntha,
Lakmasagupta, Bhtirja,
see masters section
Philosophy Kashmir Shaivism
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Discussion of this nomination can be found on the talk page. (June 2013)
Abhinavagupta (Sanskrit: ) (c. 950 1020 AD
[1][2]
) was one of
India's greatest philosophers, mystics and aestheticians.
[3]
He was also
considered an important musician, poet, dramatist, exegete, theologian,
and logician
[4][5]
a polymathic personality who exercised strong
influences on Indian culture.
[6][7]
Abhinavagupta was strongly influenced
by Buddhist logic.
[8]
He was born in the Valley of Kashmir
[9]
in a family of scholars and
mystics and studied all the schools of philosophy and art of his time
under the guidance of as many as fifteen (or more) teachers and
gurus.
[10]
In his long life he completed over 35 works, the largest and
most famous of which is Tantrloka, an encyclopedic treatise on all the
philosophical and practical aspects of Trika and Kaula (known today as
Kashmir Shaivism). Another one of his very important contributions was
in the field of philosophy of aesthetics with his famous Abhinavabhrat commentary of Nyastra of Bharata
Muni.
[11]
Contents [hide]
1 Life
2 Social background, family and disciples
2.1 "Magical" birth
2.2 Parents
2.3 Family
2.4 Ancestors
3 Masters
4 Lifestyle
5 Works
5.1 Religious works
5.1.1 Tantraloka
5.1.2 Tantrasara
5.2 Devotional hymns
5.3 Philosophical works
5.4 Poetical and dramatic works
6 References
7 External links
Life [edit]
"Abhinavagupta" was not his real name, rather a title he earned from his master, carrying a meaning of "competence
and authoritativeness".
[12][13]
In his analysis, Jayaratha (1150-1200 AD)
[14]
who was Abhinavagupta's most
important commentator also reveals three more meanings: "being ever vigilant", "being present everywhere" and
"protected by praises".
[15]
Raniero Gnoli, the only Sanskrit scholar who completed a translation of Tantrloka in a
European language, mentions that "Abhinava" also means "new",
[16]
as a reference to the ever-new creative force of
his mystical experience.
From Jayaratha, we learn that Abhinavagupta was in possession of all the six qualities required for the recipients of
the tremendous level of aktipta, as described in the sacred texts (rprvastra):
[17]
an unflinching faith in God,
realization of mantras, control over objective principles (referring to the 36 tattvas), successful conclusion of all the
activities undertaken, poetic creativity and spontaneous knowledge of all disciplines.
[18]
Abhinavagupta's creation is well equilibrated between the branches of the triad (Trika): will (icch), knowledge
(jna), action (kriy); his works also include devotional songs, academical/philosophical works
[12]
and works
describing ritual/yogic practices.
[19]
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