Cidgaganacandrika (study)

by S. Mahalakshmi | 2017 | 83,507 words

Cidgaganacandrika 20 [Amba as Candi transcends Sankhya and Yoga], English comparative study extracted from the two available commentaries—the Divyacakorika and the Kramaprakashika. The Cidgagana-candrika is an important Tantric work belonging to the Krama system of Kashmir Shaivism. Written by Kalidasa (Shrivatsa) in 312 Sanskrit verses, it deals with the knowledge regarding both the Macrocosmic and Microcosmic phenomena

This book contains Sanskrit text which you should never take for granted as transcription mistakes are always possible. Always confer with the final source and/or manuscript.

Verse 20 [Ambā as Caṇḍi transcends Sāṅkhya and Yoga]

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English commentary of verse 20:

त्वं हि रुद्रजकटाक्षवर्तिनी जायमानमवलोक्य चण्डिके ।
सांख्ययोगपथदेशिकद्वयं जातसंमतिसमाधिकं यथा ॥ २० ॥

tvaṃ hi rudrajakaṭākṣavartinī jāyamānamavalokya caṇḍike |
sāṃkhyayogapathadeśikadvayaṃ jātasaṃmatisamādhikaṃ yathā || 20 ||

Comparative analysis of commentaries and excerpts in English:

[Ambā as Caṇḍi transcends Sāṅkhya and Yoga]

The Siddhā addresses Ambā here appropriately as Caṇḍika. She with the grace of Rudra (Lord of destruction) approves the views of the preceptors of two paths Sāṅkhya and Yoga (knowledge and action), as equally useful in attaining the end, as long as they shine in their conceptual form; but if they manifest in Perceptional form as theory and practice (Sāṅkhya is dualistic realism, yoga–which treats citta intellect alone as the means of realisation) She as Caṇḍī, (anger incarnate) excels above their Philosophy and destroys both their views in a wink.[1]

Sāṅkhya and Yoga both lead to same goal of self-realisation.

[Sāṅkhya, the path of knowledge, (pravṛtimārga) and Yoga, the path of action, (nivṛtimārga) both lead to same goal of self-realisation.]

Grace of Rudra flourishing through Kālī, accepts the aspirant’s efforts through either the path of knowledge, Jñānamārga, as professed by Sāṅkhya or the path of action, yogamārga. But if these philosophies[2] claim that they can reach the supreme through their paths then Caṇḍi’s Tattva reigns above and destroys them in a wink by her anger.

Notes and Sanskrit references:

[1] [Divyacakorikā] p 44-[Cidgaganacandrikā] 20.—

vāgartharūpayoḥ vaidikajñānakarmaṇoreva vaidikasāṅkhyayogamaya bhinnaprasthānavāgarthatripuṭī medaprakhyāpanena ṣaḍadhvagurvaughaṣaṭkatārūpaṃ phalaikyamapidarśayati.

[2] [Divyacakorikā] p 45-[Cidgaganacandrikā]-20.—

sāṃkhyayogadvayaṃ prātisvika vāgartha pradhānau pravṛttinivṛtti vāṅmayavidyāmārgau |

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