Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening [Paperback]

Swami Lakshmanjoo (Author), John Hughes (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1434314057 | ISBN-13: 978-1434314055 | Edition: 2

The book, Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening, is revealed by the twentieth century's great philosopher saint Swami Lakshmanjoo. This spiritual treasure, gifted by God to the sage Vasugupta for the upliftment of humankind, is considered to be one of Kashmir Shaivism's most important scriptures. Here, Swami Lakshmanjoo gives the reader a penetrating vision of the glorious journey of Supreme Awakening; the traveling from limited individuality to absolute oneness with God. Swami Lakshmanjoo draws on his own experience and the Lineage of Kashmir Shaiva Masters to reveal the esoteric commentary of Abhinavagupta's chief disciple Kshemaraja. the secrets of this sacred teaching are once again being made available for the upliftment of humankind.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; 2 edition (September 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434314057
• ISBN-13: 978-1434314055
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The entire universe -- one phrase at a time, March 19, 2007

By 

Gary Poyssick (Tampa, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening (Hardcover)

For readers seeking self-knowledge, elightenment or, as was the case with me, sobriety, consider the Vedas -- of which this book is just an extension. With their first written samples being dated about 4,000 years ago -- while Moses walked the streets of Egypt, the foundation of the Shiva Sutras were being written for the first time in India. Arguably, this collection of short translated Sanskrit sayings focus on consiousness and its role in reality. A book that can be opened at any time, anywhere, for finding just the right way to think about what's bothering or troubling you. Shiva is one of many names for God and Sutras means 'Thread'. I learned about this book from Deepak Chopra, who I have to say is one of the Rishis -- back in the flesh. If you have the Gita and Mahabarta around your house, add this one -- it will add back in ways you can't imagine.

Gary Poyssick in Tampa, Florida

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A seminal teaching in Kashmir Shaivism., February 24, 2008

By 

Maheshvaranath (Stamstead, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening (Paperback)

Once again Swami Lakshmanjoo illustrates his mastery over the little known subject of Kashmir Shaivism. As a direct master of the oral tradition he translates the Sutras and explains Kshemaraja's commentary with ease and sophistication.

Fifteen hundred years ago Lord Shiva appeared in a dream to his devotee Vasugupta. He inspired him to go to a certain place where He would reveal a great secret. Vasugupta trekked to the designated spot and found a huge rock by the side of a small stream at the base of Mahadeva Mountain. By his mere touch the rock miraculously turned revealing the inscribed Sutras on its underside. The rock exists even today, and the Shiva Sutras have long been considered to be Lord Shiva's gift to mankind in this era known as Kali Yuga.

Swami Lakshmanjoo is a master of the oral tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. He breathes life into its teachings in a way that only one who has experienced its reality can do. At an earlier date Lakshmanjoo taught these Shiva Sutras to Lillian Silburn, and Jaideva Singh. Here we have his last translation based on the original audio recordings, minimally edited by John Hughes. Like his previous books "Secret Supreme" and "Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism" this book reads like the spoken word. It is as if Lakshmanjoo breathes through these pages and instills the essence of Kashmir Shaivism into the reader.

Divided into three chapters ("Awakenings") Lakshmanjoo explains the significance of the Sutras in relation to the advanced, mediocre and ordinary aspirants. For the serious students the original Sanskrit text is appended. It contains numerous corrections as indicated by Lakshmanjoo.

The first pages contain a translation of the Sutras only, followed by a brief "Introduction" to the text by John Hughes. This book is a must for the serious student of Kashmir Shaivism as it covers many aspects of the philosophical system know as Trika.

As with all Kashmir Shiva literature the knowledge is Self revealing. It is the present writers experience that this book "Shiva Sutras, The Supreme Awakening," expands exponentially with each reading.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Brilliant!, October 19, 2003

By 

James McGraw (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening (Paperback)

I adore this book! One to be read many times. The thoughts, ideas, and philosophies to be held within the heart. Swamiji's presence seems to come right through the text into the reader's heart and mind. This book is for those who wish to deepen their practice to Shaivism. People looking for a real and verifiable experience should read this book after reading "Self Realization In Kashmir Shaivism." Then "The Secret Supreme" and finally this one. Although I suppose you could start with this one too. But I read Swamiji's books in that order and can attest to having a real and verifiable experience with Swami Lakshmanjoo. Although, you can only verify this experience with yourself. I doubt you could verify it to others. It's a kind of subjective knowledge. But the objective is there too. And some wierdo in between subjective and objective as well. I don't know. It's hard to put into words. I think Swami Ji says it best. So, just buy the book. And you'll taste what I'm talking about!