Cidgaganacandrika (study)
by S. Mahalakshmi | 2017 | 83,507 words
Cidgaganacandrika 272 [Kalidasa’s Cidgaganacandrika is for getting the grace of Kali], 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 272 [Kālidāsa’s Cidgaganacandrikā is for getting the grace of Kāli]
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English commentary of verse 272:
प्राप्तदिव्यनयनैर्विलक्षणैर्वीक्ष्य कालि महिमाऽनुवर्ण्यते ।
केवलं तदनुवर्णनेऽप्युमे त्वन्मुदे तदपि दासजल्पितम् ॥ २७२ ॥prāptadivyanayanairvilakṣaṇairvīkṣya kāli mahimā'nuvarṇyate |
kevalaṃ tadanuvarṇane'pyume tvanmude tadapi dāsajalpitam || 272 ||
Comparative analysis of commentaries and excerpts in English:
[Kālidāsa’s Cidgaganacandrikā is for getting the grace of Kāli]
Author Kālidāsa exclaims at the grace of Śakti in enabling him compose the work, Cidgaganacandrika, which highlights the greatness of Kāli. This state is attained by the ones endowed with special inward sight. They understand her grandeur in different forms, then with perseverance get to know her will to manifest[1] in various forms. Further they worship the form as per the instructions of the Gurus and get a glimpse of her glory. This text is the praise of Kāli for appeasing her and to get her grace.
Notes and Sanskrit references:
[1] Cf. [Kramaprakāśikā] p 186 [Cidgaganacandrikā] 272.—
śrībhagavatyāḥ kālikāyā anugrahaprāptaye granthakartuḥ kālidāsasya cidgaganacandrikānāmno granthasya praṇayanaprayāsa ityāvedayan mātaraṃ stauti.