Cidgaganacandrika (study)
by S. Mahalakshmi | 2017 | 83,507 words
Cidgaganacandrika 60 [Amba reveals Ishvara as knower and the known etc.], 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 60 [Ambā reveals Iśvara as knower and the known etc.]
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English commentary of verse 60:
द्रष्ट्टता जगति यत्प्रकाशने यश्च निश्चयविधौ प्रमातृता ।
ग्राहकत्वमपि निश्चितग्रहे वेत्त्यतः स तव वृत्तिपोषितः ॥ ६० ॥draṣṭṭatā jagati yatprakāśane yaśca niścayavidhau pramātṛtā |
grāhakatvamapi niścitagrahe vettyataḥ sa tava vṛttipoṣitaḥ || 60 ||
Comparative analysis of commentaries and excerpts in English:
[Ambā reveals Iśvara as knower and the known etc.]
Know that Īśvara appears as the seer and seen, as the knower and the known, as the taker and the taken, only supported by her lustre, power or nature.[1]
Śakti manifests objects as compliments to Śiva (Bhogya)
This realisation of Śiva as the enjoyer and the enjoyed, imposes the dual perception of Himself as distinct from the universe is the fifth stage in the manifestation of Pure elements[2]. This is the state of Suddha vidyā (I-ness in I-ness—This-ness in This-ness).
All these are the dynamics created by Vimarśa in the Absolute Śiva at the micro level of manifestation.
- Śuddha tattvas = Pure Elements;
- Śiva = I-ness (Being);
- Śakti = I-ness;
- Sadāśiva = I-ness in This-ness;
- Īśvara = This-ness in I-ness;
- Śuddha vidyā = I -ness in I ness—This-ness in Thisness.
These are the first five basic Tattvas in the process of Creation.
Notes and Sanskrit references:
[1] Cf. [Divyacakorikā] p 112-[Cidgaganacandrikā] 60.—
ānandasvarūpatattvabodhanāya dhāmasaṃvidvarṇakramaiḥ prakāśānandamūrtimaya cakratrayopāstiṃ kramaṇe vistārayiṣyannādau saṃkṣepeṇa dhāmamayaprakāśacaṃkra sūcayati.
[2] [Kramaprakāśikā] p 38-[Cidgaganacandrikā]- 60.—
tvatkartṛke tvayā niścitā ca jagato grahaṇe śivasya grāhakatvamapi vartate, ataḥ asmātkāraṇāt, idaṃ vijñāyate yat sa śivastava vṛttibhirviśvaviṣayābhiḥ poṣito viśvasaṃnidhāpanarūpānugraheṇānugṛhītaḥ san viśvaṃ vettīti |