Shree ShankarAcharya, Kashmir and His transformation into Kaula-Shakta...

Due to The Grace of Shreemati Durga-Devi I have finally found the English edition of "Shree PanchaStavi". I have dreamt about this Edition in the course of recent 3 years (though I had Hindi and Sanskrit Versions). 

I will upload this brilliant Shree Shakti-Grantha in my blog later. It is said in the introduction to the English version of "Shree PanchaStavi" that Shree SankarAcharya had been transformed into a Shakta in Kashmir ("Shree Shankar Digvijaya", 16.54-80). 

The following is the cite from the English version of "Shree PanchaStavi":

 

I have made extra-research and found 2 very beautiful stories about how Shreemati Durga-Devi had transformed Shree ShankarAcharya in the Shakta, the following text is being cited from http://www.ikashmir.net/saints/shankracharyavisittokashmir.html 

If you have studied "Shree Skanda-Purana" you should know that these 2 stories repeat the Siddhanta from "Shree Skanda-Purana", because several Adhyayas of "Shree Skanda-Purana" are devoted to the joking argument between Shreemati Parvati-Devi and Shiva, in which Shreemati Parvati-Devi proves The Superiority of Shree Shakti-Sampradaya. 

 

"Dr Ved Kumari in 'The Nilamata Purana', writes that according to writer of 'Sankara Digvijaya' -- 'Sankara visited Kashmir after giving a final blow to Buddhism in the rest of India". 

However, according to NK Kotru -- "It was in Kashmir that Buddhism received death blow". 

PN Magzine, a research scholar of repute, writes in 'Shankaracharya Temple and Hill' that Shankaracharya visited Kashmir with the intention of advancing Vedantic knowledge. 

That time Kashmiris were culturally and spiritually much advanced and believed strongly in the greatness of both Shiva and Shakti. 

Story with Kanya. Shankara did not, at that time, when he visited Kashmir, believe in Shakti cult PN Magzine mentions that Shankaracharya with his party camped outside the city of Srinagar, without any boarding and lodging arrangements. 

Seeing the plight of visitors a virgin was sent to meet Shankara. She found the party uneasy and frustrated because of not being able to cook as no fire was made available to them. 

The first glimpse of Shakti was exhibited to Shankara by this girl, when Shankara expressed his inability to make a fire, in reply to girl's question that you are so great, can not you make fire.

The girl picked up two thin wooden sticks (samidhas) into her hand, recited some mantras and rubbed the sticks and fire was produced to the surprise of Shankara.  

PN Magzine further adds that later a Shastrarth (religious discourse) was arranged between Shankara and a Kashmiri woman. This discourse continued for 17 days. Shankaracharya yielded before the lady in discussion and accepted the predominance of Shakti Cult (Greatness of Devi).

According to PN Magzine, after accepting predominance of Shakti cult, Shankara wrote Saundarya Lahari, in praise of Shakti, at the top of the hill, known till then as Gopadari Hill. 

Pandit Gopi Krishan writes that "Panchastavi--gamut of Shakti Shastra--a priceless gem -- a peerless hymn of praise addressed to Kundalini. The work has been cited as source book by several eminent scholars, but the name of the author has remained undisclosed". 

According to him the only other work in whole gamut of Shakti Shastra in the country, comparable to Panchastavi is Saundarya Lahari. 

PN Magzine says that Saundarya Lahari is acclaimed as master-piece in Sanskrit literature. After the visit of Adi Shankaracharya to Kashmir, he became staunch believer of Shakti-Shri Chakra - the symbol of Devi (Goddess) as mentioned in 'Shankara Digvijay' - Life history of Shankaracharya. 

Thus we know that even, a very knowledge philosopher, a Saint of greater order- Adi Shankaracharya - gained further depth in spritualism and mysticism in Kashmir".