Shiva Yogini Lalleshvari
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BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS
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Shiva Yogini Lalleshvari |
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Published by:
Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra, Anand Nagar, Bohri, Jammu, India. Phone: 2501480 Copyrights © reserved with the author (The painting on the Cover page of the book has been drawn by a dedicated artist Shri Kanayalal Raina, of Brampton Canada.) Pages: 46 Pages Author: Dr. Chaman lal Raina, |
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Review |
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Lalleshvari, also known as Lall Ded and Lall Arifa, was an Indian woman who was born in Pandrenthan, near Srinagar, India, during the 14th century CE. She was a poet and a mystic, who was able to harness the elegant beauty of Vakh's(poems) to express the power of the mystical experience. Dr. Chaman lal Raina writes a brief history of the life and teachings of Lall Ded, using examples from her Vakh's to illustrate her understanding of the divine. He writes passionately about her life, her vakhs, her teachings, and her realizations.
Lall Ded was born a Shaivaite, and hence, recognized Shiva as the transcendent principle of the universe, more commonly known as Brahman. Dr. Raina blesses us with a short introduction to the basic principles of Kashmir Shaivism, clarifying concepts and terms as we proceed through the text. Lall Ded became a great Yogini suprisingly quickly. Through life experience she came to realize that spirituality was the true core of religion, not dogma, doctrine and rituals. She endured many trials throughout her life, at times not being recognized for the great soul she was. She used Vakh to express her feelings during this period, until she ultimately realized that the practice of morality would allow the world to live in harmony. Neighbors, family members and even strangers could be considered the closest of kin. She taught this concept through Shaivistic Dharma, with a focus on meditation upon the powerful syllable AUM. Devotion to Shiva led her to realize that the divine is closest in prayer, where one can realize Shiva in the recesses of the heart. She had a guru, and this guru taught her many things that she kept dear to her heart. She listened, loved and respected her guru as is to be done in Indian tradition. In this piece of literature Dr. Raina's background and research into Sanksrit and Shaivism, shine like the gentle gleam of the moon. Being both a traditional scholar as well as a practitioner with an impressive lineage give him an understanding of Shaivite mysticism and Vedic poetry that allow him to interpret and understand the Vakh's of Lall Ded from both an insider and outsider perspective. This understanding of Indian traditions, in general, is critical for work such as this because it allows for flexibility in the analysis of material from multiple perspectives. Gregory Olson writes about Shiva Yogini Lalleshvari: “I am delighted to be able to convey my deep respect for Dr. Raina’s scholarly ability to his reading audience. Dr. Raina’s linguistic acumen, his breadth of knowledge, and his foundation in philosophical scholarship makes his interpretation of the Shiva Yogini Lalleshvari most poignant. What all thinking men are seeking is the “Why” and “What for” of our existence.” Truly Dr. Raina is worthy of this praise for this concise analysis of the Vakh's and life of Lalleshvari. Dr. Raina went so far as to trace the Vedic source of Lall Ded's Vakh's. He applies Vedanta philosophy and other means of Sanskritic linguistic patterns to clarify the Vakh's into a coherent and relevant system of thought. Truly this is a masterpiece of compassion and understanding from the heart and mind of Lall Ded, to that of Dr. Raina's. It was most definitely a pleasurable introduction to the basic tenets of Kashmir Shaivism through the heart and mind of Lalleshvari. |
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| About the Author: Chaman Lal Raina | |
 *Chaman Lal Raina, Phd is an author and a researcher, besides being a University teacher, a Collage Artist and Calligraphy Artist. His art works are regularly published in the Harvan E-Journal. He writes in Hindi, Kashmiri, Sanskrit and English. He was awarded the Nagmani felowship, Maha - Bodhi Fellowship, and currently working as Fellow, Spirituality at C S S, of Florida International University.He also teaches a course on Indian Culture, Meditation at FIU.His works include 1 Lalleshvari Aur Kashmir Shaiv-dharshan.(Under Resarch Methodology Program) 2 A comparative Study of the Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo & Iqbal. (Under interdisciplinary Ph.D Program) 3 Iqbal and Indian Heritage: Published by University of Kashmir 4 Iqbal Kavya Darshan: Published by University of Kashmir 5 Anotation and Translation of the Shri Indrakshi Stotram in English, with Sanskrit text. (Pub: U D P Publishers ,Srinagar) 6 Kshemndra Translated in Kashmiri from Hindi (Pub: Sahitya Akademi , New Delhi) 7 Mystic Revelations of Shri Roopa Devi, Translated and annotated in English, with Kashmiri Text (Pub: Alakh Sahiba Trust Jammu) 8 No Regrets: Pictorial Biography. (Pub:Arya Pustak Bhandar, Ajmer) 9 Sangarsh Aur Saubhagya (Pub:Arya Pustak Bhandar, Ajmer) 10 Shri Lalita Sahsrama Stotram(ed. in Sanskrit and Translated in English with Shakta interpretations) Pub: Sharada Publishers , Delhi 11 Inner Dimensions of Amrita Pritam, Under Nagmani Fellowship Program, New Delhi. Pub: Dynamic Publications, Delhi 12 Facets of Nava Durga Shri Chandi, with Shakta Interpretations of Kashmir Agamas and translation in English. Pub; Dynamic Publications, Delhi 13 Fundamentals of Tourism& Indian Religions--(Joint Authorship with Dr. A.K Raina Kanishka Publishers , New Delhi 14 Gurudeva Namavalli in English( Pub; Shri Bhagawan Gopinath Cultural&ResearchFoundation, New Delhi) 15 Goddesses of India, A module Publication of Florida International University 16 Shiva yogini Lalleshvari Pub: Sanjivani sharada Kendra Jammu. He has authored 13 Essays on Kashiri Manz Shaktivad, published in the Koshur Samachar,after migration of Kashmiri Hindus. Besides many write-ups in the Kshir Bhawani Times, Jammu; The Prakash of New Dellhi. Madhyama Pratipada Patrika, Ajmer and Iqbaliat of Kashmir University |
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| About Alexander Conroy | |
 *Born and residing in Miami, Florida. Alexander Conroy has studied Sanskrit and Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy with Dr. Chaman Lal Raina throughout his Masters Degree program in Religious Studies at Florida International University. He was born a Catholic, yet has more active interest in Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish philosophy and mysticism. He has a background in psychology and computer science. He is an avid Martial Artist and continues to receive traditional western esoteric training in Kabbalistic Shamanism and Dharmakinetics under the guidance of Chet Alexander. He is also Founder and President of Esotech Inc.,a Computer Repair and Service company in Miami, Florida. He has written many articles comparing seemingly separate mystical and esoteric traditions. |
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