Dear Indologists:
This is in response to Prof. Ganesan's recent querry about
Kashmir Shaivism.
There are many features about this sytem of philosophy which
makes it appealing to moderns and that includes those in the West.
While reatining its Idealist (spiritual) stance it maintains a
joyous and life affirming position as opposled to Shankara's Advaita Vedanta.
The prototypical experience it advocates is an aesthetic experience and thereby
includes art objects, both sacred and secular, as objects of
contemplation.
The icon it celebrates most is the ardhanarisvara and regards
Nataraja as a form of ardhanarisvara as well. The Nataraja sports a female
earring (kundala) in his left ear and this is the only give away of its female
aspect.
Prof. Harsha V. Dehejia
256, Elgin Street,
Ottawa, ON
Canada. K2P 1L9.
Telephone
613-233-3103
Facsimile 613-829-2560