https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Aham_Kashmir_ShaivismAham Kashmir Shaivism - Revision history2026-07-31T02:57:44ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Aham_Kashmir_Shaivism&diff=84923&oldid=prev>Auric at 23:03, 22 April 20212021-04-22T23:03:59Z<p></p>
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'''Aham''', a concept of [[Kashmir Shaivism]], is defined as the supreme heart ''{{IAST|(hṛdayam)}}'',<ref name="Jaideva Singh page 78">{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 78</ref> transcendent [[Atman (Hinduism)|Self]], supreme I awareness <ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 131</ref> or infinite consciousness.<ref>The Triadic Heart of Śiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 145</ref> The space of ''Aham'' is where ''khecarī mudrā'' (free movement in the space of the heart) is realised. ''[[Khecarī mudrā]]'' is considered the supreme state of spiritual evolution.<br />
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==Substrate of creation==<br />
When [[Śiva]] wants to create, the first step is said to be the creation of an interior space (the space of his heart) - a matrix of [[energies]] that will be the substrate of the new world. This place is called ''Aham'' which means "I" in [[Sanskrit]]. Thus the absolute first creates the [[divinity|divine]] person, ''Aham'', and from this divine person will appear the manifestation itself.<br />
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''Aham'' is identical to ''{{IAST|mātṛkā}}'' (the wheel of phonematic energies), essential nature of all categories from ''[[The 36 tattvas#p.E1.B9.9Bithv.C4.AB - earth|{{IAST|Pṛithvī tattva}}]]'' (earth) to ''[[The 36 tattvas#sad.C4.81.C5.9Biva|{{IAST|Sadāśiva tattva}}]]'',.<ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}} Jaideva Singh, page 194</ref> ''Aham'' is the final resting place, dwelling place, abode of all beings, receptacle of the world.<ref name="Jaideva Singh page 78"/><ref>The Triadic Heart of Śiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 179</ref><br />
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==Ultimate mantra==<br />
Another definition of ''Aham'' is that of primordial mantra,<ref>{{IAST|Kuṇḍalinī}}, the energy of the depths, page 214</ref> transcendental mantra,<ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 180</ref> the so-called heart-bīja (mantra of the heart) - force and power of consciousness.<ref>The Triadic Heart of Śiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 163</ref> As the supreme mantra, ''Aham'' is closely related to ''matravīrya'' (the potency of mantra).<ref>The Triadic Heart of Śiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 160</ref> Thus the realization of ''Aham'' confers power over any mantra.<ref name="Jaideva Singh page 195">{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 195</ref><br />
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==United form of Shiva and Shakti==<br />
In ''Aham'', the supreme (para) aspect of [[Śakti]] is realized. ''Aham'' is the ''Śakti'' of ''Śiva'' or in other words, the expansion of Śiva.<ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 127</ref> Another way of describing ''Aham'' is as the union of ''Śiva'' and ''Śakti'',<ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 194</ref> the emittive{{typo help inline|reason=similar to emotive|date=April 2021}} (''visarga'') aspect of the Supreme (''anuttara'').<ref name="Jaideva Singh page 195"/><br />
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==Etymology==<br />
Aham is formed of A+HA+M, a triad of ''Śhiva'' (A), ''Śakti'' (HA) and bindu (M).<ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 55</ref> M is the final point, union of ''Śiva'' and ''Śakti'', where they dissolve into ''Paramaśiva''. The [[triangle]] of A+HA+M is the essence of the ''Trika'' system.<ref>{{IAST|Kuṇḍalinī}}, the energy of the depths, page 32</ref> A+HA+M form the ''{{IAST|sṛṣṭi bīja}}'' (seed of emission), a mantra that is identical to the energy of expansion and creation.<ref name="Jaideva Singh page 13">{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 13</ref><br />
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''Aham'' can also be defined as: A = ''abedha'' (non-differentiation), HA = ''bheda'' (differentiation) and M = ''bhedābheda'' (differentiation cum non-differentiation).<ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 30</ref><br />
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==Maha, the mirror image of Aham==<br />
On the other hand, ''Maha'', mirror image of ''Aham'',<ref>The Triadic Heart of Śiva, Paul Muller-Ortega, page 159</ref> is formed of Ma+Ha+A, and represents the ''{{IAST|saṃhara bīja}}'' (seed of reabsorption) - the mantra that is identical to the process of spiritual evolution,<ref name="Jaideva Singh page 13"/> or in other words reabsorption of the manifestation back into the absolute. In ''Maha'', Śakti (Ha) enters bindu (M) (the limited being) and reunites it with the Supreme (A).<ref>{{IAST|Parā-trīśikā Vivaraṇa}}, Jaideva Singh, page 182</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Ramana Maharshi]]<br />
* [[The 36 tattvas#Three creative voids|The 36 tattvas]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist|2}}<br />
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{{Indian philosophy}}<br />
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[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]<br />
[[Category:Kashmir Shaivism]]</div>>Auric