So, I heard we’re celebrating #KashyapKaKashmir today. Here’s my contribution in highlighting forgotten Indic roots of Kashmir.

#Thread on some of the greatest writers from the Punyabhoomi of Maa Sharada!

How many of us have heard about Abhinavagupta?
@anexcommie @LostTemple7

Abhinavgupta is believed to have lived between 924 to 1020 CE. He was a great philosopher, mystic, aesthetic, theologian, exegete, poet and some even claim him to be an influential musician & dramatist during his time.

@shreekanth2020 @HelloNNewman @rspchary

He’s attributed to have come up with an original thought of one can attain ‘Mukti’ even while living a life of a ‘Gruhasta’. Though, not much is known about his life, however according to information available on internet, Abhinavgupta had as many as 19 gurus.

@Mahadevangini

Abhinavgupta is believed to have written over 44 works, of which sadly only 21 survives, while the others find citation by later scholars. His works are broadly categorised into four areas of interest – Tantra, Hymns to various deities, Philosophy and Aesthetics.

@chittukuruvi4

He was also a devout practitioner of Tantra & Shaivism. Amongst his available works are Tantraloka, Tantrasaara, Paramarthasaara, Gitaarthasaara Samgraha, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, and Ishwarapratyabinya Vimarsini.

@Tanvangi17 @mamatarsingh @Mahender_Chem

His most famous work is his commentary on Bharata Muni’s ‘Naatya Shastra’ known as ‘Abhinava Bharati’.

Some other noted writers from Kashmir are as below:

@SriRamya21 @RajiIndustani @lalitha_jr @NandiniVenkate3

1)Kalhana – his work ‘Rajatarangini (River of Kings)’, written in 12th century is the earliest and authentic historical account on Kashmir
2)Bilhana – he’s known for his work Caurapañcāśikā (50 Poems of a Love Thief). He composed these poems when he was sent to gallows +

upon discovery of his love affair with Princess Yaminipurnatilaka, daughter of King Madanabhirama. It’s said that the King upon hearing these poems, realised Bilhana was really in love with his daughter and pardoned him. In one of his other works, Bilhana remarks:

@vedvyazz

“Sahodarah Kundakumakesaranaam Bhavanti Noonam Kavitaa Vilaasa
Na Sharadadeshampaasya Drushtasthoshaam Yadanyatra Mayaa Praroha.”

Meaning “The poetry and the saffron are two beautiful creations of the Sharada Desha.”

@hathyogi31 @Elf_of_Shiva_ @Itishree001 @Anshulspiritual

3)Ratnakara – a poet in 8th century, patronised by King AvantiVarman. His famous work include Dhwani Gathapanjika, Vakrokthi Panchashika and Haravijaya in 50 cantos
4)Anandhavardhana – lived during 9th century and patronised by King AvantiVarman.

@VertigoWarrior @desi_thug1

His famous work ‘Dhvanyaloka’ is one of the finest and most comprehensive studies of aesthetics.
5)Kshemendra – was one of the most celebrated students of Abhinavagupta. He lived during the reigns of Ananta (1028–1063) and his successor Kalasha (1063–1089).

@KashmiriPandit7

In addition to writing abridged versions of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Kshemendra wrote a number of works which include satirical plays and poems—works in Sanskrit such as Dashavataracharita, Avadhana Kalpalata, Samayamatrika, Suvritta Tilaka and Kavi Kanthabharana.

These are some exhibits in support of why it is #KashyapKaKashmir!

An excellent initiative by @VedicWisdom1 brother to counter the false narrative about Kashmir.

@InfoVedic @IndiaTales7 @SachinK23579415

I’d would have been content with just reading and spreading knowledge shared by well-learned people, had I not come across an article published back in Aug ’17 by Veejay Sai. This thread is excerpts from the article ( https://swarajyamag.com/magazine/know-your-kashmir-land-of-goddess-saraswati-ancient-seat-of-indic-scholars)

@BesuraTaansane