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Bushan Jalali
In the late 19th century, the profound philosophical system known as Kashmir Shaivism (Trika philosophy) faced an existential crisis. Centuries of political upheaval , mercenaries insurrection and social displacement had pushed this sophisticated non-dualistic tradition to the brink of extinction. Then centauries old scriptures, texts were either vandalised, vanished and made forbidden. So much so practicing Shaiv Shastre( Kashmir Shaivism )was a big challenge and ultimately confined to few families of the valley like Qaziyari, Razdhans,etc etc that too secretly.
It is said that the Qaziyari family were the priests at the Anand Ishwar Bhairav Temple at near Maisuma Bazar, Srinagar . The Anand Ishwar Bhairav is the Supreme Bhairav of the eight Bhairvas of the Sri Nagar known as Bhairav Adi Pati.
It is said that once, the father of Swami Ram Ji Maharaj, the Shukhdev Quaziyari invoked Anand Ishwar Bhairav and sought a boon for a child in his family. Some say that the then Shaivism followers prayed for resurrection of Shaivism in the valley. It was then that a spiritual giant, Swami Ram Ji Maharaj, emerged as the bridge between a fading past and a vibrant future. Some believe Swami Ram Ji Maharaj was the reincarnation of Anand Ishwar Bhairav, the Shiva himself and emerged for preaching, practicing and propagating Kashmir Shaiv Darshan subsequently known as Kashmir Shaivism.
Guru-shishya parampara which was vogue in ancient times was carried further in the 19th century by Swami Ram ji, who taught the lore to his avowed disciples Swami Mahtab Kak, Swami Vidyadhar and Swami Gobind Kaul Jalali, Swami Tara Chand, Swami Gasha Koul who, in turn, continued this again, it was only Swami Ram’s grand-disciple, Swami Lakhsman Joo, who popularized Pratyabhijna philosophy through his writings during the 20th century among the seekers of truth in Kashmir and the outside world. Swami Ram Ji used to stay at his disciple’s Sudhama ji Miskeen’s house at Malpora, Srinagar for 3 years, from there he moved to Fateh Kadal at the request of Shri Narayan Joo who was one of his ardent devotees, that house turned into a veritable Ashram, known since as Shri Ram Trika Shaiv Ashram in downtown Fatehkadal, Srinagar. Here he shared his knowledge and explained the deeper aspects of Shaiva philosophy to the growing number of disciples and devotees. It was at this ashram where Swami Vivekananda met Swami Ram ji. When Swami Vivekananda informed Swami Ram of the difficulties facing his mission of spiritual rejuvenation of the world, he was advised by him to seek the blessings of Ragnya Mata at Tullamulla. The advice was followed, resulting in Vivekananda’s memorable experience at the Kshir Bhavani shrine, as later described by Vivekananda in his autobiography. Soon after, Swami Vivekananda left for Chicago, to attend the Parliament of World Religions in 1893.
Another incident was with Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati who visited Srinagar in 1892, he visited Swami ji’s Ashram with few questions. It is said that while stepping the staircase he felt his questions are itself answered by simply entering the Ashram and was amazed of the spiritual ecosystem and left back acknowledging the supreme personality.
Accepting salutations of his ardent devotees Swami Ram said: that a divine being had taken birth in the form of the child. Truly so, the child, who was named Lakshman, showed signs of wonders as he grew up. Swami Ramji encouraged the anxious parents and conferred blessings on this divine child. He had recognized divine features in the child who would often go into unusual movements. Once when the parents approached Swami Ramji to express their anxiety about the child, he sent them back with a remark. “What happens to him, may be graced unto me.” Thus, the child, Lakshman, entered boyhood under the spiritual care of this great sage, who later initiated him into Gayatri Mantra, Pranayama and certain Yogic practices. Entrusting his craving disciples and the seven-year-old Shri Lakshmana to the charge of Swami Mehtab Kak, his principal disciple.
He (Swami Ramji) entered the real abode of Shiva by giving up his body in 1915 to merge in the Divine Universal Self of which he had been an embodiment.
As we mark the early days of 2026, his legacy is no longer confined to the dusty manuscripts of history. From major spiritual gatherings in Jammu to global webinars, the “Ram Ji Lineage” is currently fueling a worldwide revival of the Trika tradition.
Born in 1854, Swami Ram Ji was recognized early as a “Siddha” (perfected being). His most significant contribution to Indian civilization was the establishment of the Swami Ram Shaiv Trika Ashram in Fateh Kadal, Srinagar, in May 1884. At a time when the Sanskrit traditions of Kashmir were being forgotten, this ashram became a sanctuary for the study of the Shivasutras, Pratibighya , the Spanda Karika and other Aagam and Tantre Sahstras.
Unlike many of his contemporaries who favoured dry academic debate, Swami Ram Ji insisted on Anubhava-direct spiritual experience. He taught that the world is not an illusion, but a real manifestation of Divine Consciousness (Chit).
” The world is not a trap to be escaped but a play ground of the Divine. To recognize oneself as Shiva is the ultimate purpose of human breath”.
The Lineage of Light
The true measure of a Master is his disciples. Swami Ram Ji’s most enduring contribution was the cultivation of a lineage that would carry the flame through the 20th century.
His chief disciple, Swami Mahtab Kak, became the spiritual guardian of the young Swami Lakshman Joo, the great master of the tradition. It was Swami Ram Ji who first recognized Lakshman Joo’s potential, reportedly blessing him as a child and entrusting his training to his closest disciples. Through this chain of transmission, the complex “Four Upayas” (means of realization) were preserved and passed down to the modern seekers of today.
The relevance of Swami Ram Ji’s work has reached a new peak in the mid-2020s. In 2023 a well attended Seminar was organised by little known a NGO named NANCY FOUNDATION TRUST( Regd ) in Jammu and the topic was Swami Ram Ji Maharaj and the Kashmir Shaivism. The seminar was first of its kind and mostly attended by young girls and boys coupled with learned Trik Philosophy Scholars. The NANCY FOUNDATION , a private NGO is continuously organising seminars for preaching, practicing and propagating Kashmir Shaiv Philosophy among the youths in Jammu. In the late 2025 there was overwhelming enthusiasm among the youth in the participation of the seminars arranged by the Nancy Foundation and the interest shown by the masses. In early 2024/2025, the Swami Ram Shaiv
Trik Ashram, Naseeb Nagar , Jammu organised mega webinar eulogising the role of Swami Ram Ji Maharaj in resurrecting and rejuvenating Shaiv Darshan by celebrating the important days related to Mahmaheshwaracharya Abhinav Gupt and Mahameshwaracharya Swami Ram Ji Maharaj.
In December 2025, the birth anniversary of Swami Ram Ji saw record crowds at the Naseeb Nagar,Janipur Ashram in Jammu, signaling that the Trika philosophy is no longer an “esoteric secret” but a living, breathing identity for the Kashmiri diaspora and the global spiritual community.
Where the Flame Burns Today
For those seeking to connect with his teachings in 2026, the tradition remains vibrant at several key locations:
Fateh Kadal, Srinagar: The historic birthplace of the movement, still standing as a beacon of the original Trika Ashram.
Naseeb Nagar Janipur , Jammu: Active hubs for daily practice and major festivals like Abhinavagupta Jayanti, Birth and Nirwan Divas. This Swami Ram Shaiv Trik Ashram is evolving as a Learning & Research Centre for Shaiv Darshan along with the Traditions, rituals of Kashmiri Pandits.
Digital Platforms: The Ishwar Ashram Trust and associated Shaiva centers continue to offer online courses based on the teachings solidified by Swami Ram Ji Maharaj.
Swami Ram Ji Maharaj did more than just teach philosophy; he saved a culture from intellectual amnesia. As scholars in 2026 continue to explore the depths of Pratyabhijña (Self-recognition),Universal Consciousness they find that all roads eventually lead back to the humble master of Fateh Kadal-the man who ensured that the light of Shiva would never be extinguished in the valley.
(Author is President, Rainawari, Kashmiri Pandit Action Committee (RKPAC) & Chairman,Nancy Foundation Trust (Regd.))
