Awakening of Supreme Consciousness Lectures of Swami Lakshman Joo

by Jankinath Kaul

Swami Lakshman Joo (1907-1991), also called Swami Lakshmanji Raina or Ishvara Svarupa, was a great yogi from an early age. He embodied a rare unity of a mystic and a pandit, being well-versed in Sanskrit and in the texts of the non-dualistic tradition of Kashmir Saivism. He was also called the Abhinavagupta of the 20th century, being the last authority of Kashmir Saivism, who was teaching scholars and guiding seekers on the spiritual path.

He edited several Sanskrit texts and published Hindi translations and commentaries, such as Abhinavagupta's Gitarthasangraha Sambapancasika, Utpaladeva's Sivastotravali, Abhinavagupta's Paratrisika Vivarana and others. Some of his teachings and lectures have been published in English: "Kashmir Saivism: The Secret supreme", "The Awakening of Supreme Consciousness", "Self Realization in Kashmir Saivism", and in Hindi: Trikasastra-Rahasya Prakriya. His commentary on the Siva Sutras is coming out shortly.