Vineksar is a rare scripture of the Aghor tradition, com-posed by Aghoracharya Baba Kinaram around 1755 CE. In Baba Kinaram's own words, "This writing is the fruit of the experience of a sadhu and his prasad (blessings) for a sincere seeker." Far from trying to understand the many subtle messages, Viveksar transports the reader directly into the depth of the experience of an accomplished siddha, provided it is read with the understanding of the Guru-disciple relationship and an open heart.
In Viveksar, Baba Kinaram praises first his Vaishnava Guru, Baba Shivaram, then Avadhuta Bhagwan Dattatreya, who later gave him the ultimate knowledge of the Aghor state of being.
Viveksar remained largely unrecognized until Aghoreshwar Bhagwan Ram (12 September 1937-28 November 1992) began looking after the administration of Baba Kinaram Sthal (also known as Krim Kund), in Varanasi, India after the passing of his guru, and brought it to light. His own popularity in the area made Viveksar a commonly sought-after text among the masses.
Over the years there has been a growing interest in an English translation of this text. A few of us at Sonoma Ashram had translated it into English, but because of our limited understanding and resources, I was never truly satisfied with it. Fully understanding and then translating poetry composed in Saddhukkari bhasa (the language of wandering sadhus) into any modern language is a challenge in and of itself.
I was delighted when Dr. Bettina Sharada Baumer, a prominent scholar of Kashmir Shaivism and recipient of the Padma Shri, one of the highest literary awards given by the Government of India, expressed interest in translating the text.
Together with her helpers, Bettina ji went over each verse and translated the text.
Befitting her name Sharada (Sarasvati), Bettina ji observed the parallel between the two wings of Shiva Consciousness, Aghor and Kashmir Shaivism, which confirmed the understanding of many nuanced gems in the text. Our times together working on this translation were always highlights of my visits to Varanasi.
I am deeply grateful to Baba Siddharth Gautam Ram, head of the lineage of Baba Kinaram at Krim Kund, for his unceasing blessings and trust in me. The constant presence and guidance of Baba Priyadarshi Ram, founder of Aghor Guru Peeth Ashram, continues to be a source of inspiration.
This acknowledgment would not be complete without mentioning the valuable contribution of my Guru-brother, Dr. Jishnu Shankar, an Indologist and a scholar of the Aghor tradition, who contributed to the initial translation and has always been available to discuss various meanings of obscure words and phrases, when needed.
The text has come a long way since the early days of Sonoma Ashram when I sat with my students Susan Bundschu and John MacKay, asking them to formulate my loosely translated words into sentences. Shivani Scheinman spent weeks further refining the language. Camilla Previato and Lorenzo Bonaventura spent hours with Bettina ji in Varanasi, going over each line of the text. Finally, my deep appreciation for all the hard work Amy McCoy put into refining and editing the final text. I am sure there are many more souls whose work helped make it what it is today. May each and every one involved receive blessings of Baba Kinaram.
Bettina ji expresses her gratitude to Abhijit Chitnis and Patricia Obermeier for their precious contributions.
Nothing would be possible without the Grace of my Guru, Aghoreshwar Bhagwan Ram.
Aghoracharya Baba Kinaram was a luminary of the Aghor and Vaishnava traditions. He lived in North India during the 17th century and to this day is respected as a person of great mystical achievement and as a dynamic social reformer.
Baba Kinaram composed Viveksar as a main text for the instruction of the Aghor state of being based upon his own personal experiences. The text is composed in the form of an exchange between guru and disciple. It was written on the bank of the river Shipra, in the town of Ujjain, on Tuesday, the twelfth day of the moon, Abhijit Naksatra.
This sacred text is the prasad (blessings) of a sadhu, and the fruit of his experience. Those who take it to heart, who analyze it, contemplate it, and grasp it firmly, will definitely find Ram. Baba Kinaram composed Viveksar to dispel doubt, just as the rising sun dispels darkness. In the tradition of saints, Aghoreshwar Baba Bhagwan Ram received the text from his guru and made it available for the benefit of all.
Listening to and contemplating these lines frees one from the chains of samsara (the physical world). Viveksar is the essence of all the Vedas, sastras, and Puranas. The only requirement of the reader is to see without discrimination and with an expanded heart. For such a reader Viveksar will remain deep within the heart. It will ever replenish love, joy, and inspiration throughout life. Through the teachings, all doubt and suffering will be removed.
In Baba Kinaram's own words, "This world is without any substance. It is made of those five elements that are Self-born and are returned unto the Self." Within this impermanence lies the permanent Avadhuta state of being, presented by Baba Kinaram as reflected through the eye of his knowledge.
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