Description
The aim of the verses of the Stvacintamani is to proclaim, within the framework of bhakti mysticism, effectively the non-dualistic doctrine of Trika Shaivism. It seems that people, during the time of Bhatta Narayana, were still adhering to such forms of Shaivism that followed either the trajectory of dualism or of qualified non-dualism. As to why people followed the inferior forms of spirituality is because of the enactment of such a divine play of which the Lord himself plays the game of hide-and-seek, which is to say: The game of “concealment” and “revelation.” It is in this context that Bhatta Narayana is compelled by the circumstances, in one of his poetic outpourings, to say the following: Lord, you do not seem to be disclosing the knowledge of thy essential nature to those who are ignorant, which is to say: Who are caught up in the web of delusion, whereas, on the other hand, you willingly are revealing the knowledge of your essential nature to those who, according to you, are deserving (v. 72). In the midst of such a situation Bhatta Narayana holds a ray of hope when he asserts that it is the path of devotion that would enable the ignorant to have the right vision concerning the spirituality of non-dualistic form of Shaivism. He delineates the idea of devotional mysticism as being the ultimate cure for the disease called ignorance. It is this viewpoint of bhakti spirituality which permeates the devotional verses of the Stvacintamani. The Stvacintamani of Bhatta Narayana is the first blooming flower of devotional mysticism which, on the soil of Trika Shaivism, flowered fully by spreading the sweet aroma of divine love.
