Abhinavagupta’s Revival and Profound Exegesis of Trika “Saivism” by Dr. Mark Dyczkowski

Abhinavagupta, the 10th-century Indian philosopher, mystic, and aesthetician, was a key figure in the development of what is now known as Kashmir Shaivism, a school of thought that emphasizes the unity of consciousness and the world. His writings on philosophy, aesthetics, and music have had a profound influence on Indian culture. His magnum opus is the Tantraloka, a comprehensive treatise on Kashmir Shaivism. He also wrote extensively on aesthetics and music. He believed that art and music are powerful tools for spiritual realization. In his writings on aesthetics, he developed a theory of rasa, or aesthetic experience and argued that rasa is a state of consciousness that is beyond pleasure and pain. It is a state of pure bliss that is experienced when the individual’s consciousness merges with the object of their aesthetic experience. A towering figure in Indian thought, his ideas continue to be studied and debated today. We are grateful to eminent scholars from around the world who graced this occasion and shared their scholarship with all of us. This online event was open to all. You can find more information about the event at