Part 6 - Ṣaḍadhvā (six ways in the process of creation)

Ṣaḍadhva means six ways in the process of creation having a set of three each relating to word and its sense which cause the empirical manifestation. They operate in the fields of Subjectivity and Objectivity by the union of Śakti as word and Śiva as sense^[1].

Three-fold Vācyādhvā

Objective universe, in Śaivism is composed of three paths (Parā-adhvā, Sūkṣma-adhvā, Sthūla-adhvā). Parā, the subtlest path is the final one, the Kalādhvā. Middle one is Sūkṣma, the subtle path, Tattvādhvā. Sthūla, the gross and first path is Bhuvanādhvā. One has to either tread on the path or discard the path. For realisation of God, the latter method is fruitful. Disposal/Discarding of this path is achieved only by the grace of Guru, who is personification of Parama Śiva himself. By such disposal of this path one reach the state of Parama Śiva^[2]. These three fold adhvās is called Vacyādhvā, which is the objective cycle of this creation.

Bhuvanādhvā

Bhuvanādhvā means the path of all the worlds and consists of 118 worlds revealed to Siddhas in samādhi state. The whole cosmos containing many suns, moons, stars and planets is meant by world here.This is Gross path.

Tattvādhvā

The thirty six tattvas in Śaiva philosophy, form the Tattvādhvā. This is a subtle path.

Kalādhvā

The subtlest and more refined path is Kalādhvā consisting of the five kalās acting as enclosures for all of the thirty six tattvas, from earth up to Śiva.

First and outermost enclosure is Nivṛtti kalā corresponding to the first gross tattva (Pṛthvī) earth.

Second boundary is Pratiṣṭha kalā existing in 23 higher level elements from Jala tattva to Prakṛti tattva.

Third enclosure is Vidyā kalā, consisting of the next seven higher tattva s from Puruṣa tattva to Māyatattva.

Fourth boundary is Śānta kalā covering the next four higher tattvas from Śuddhavidyā tattva to Śakti tattva which is last but one of the Supreme Tattva.

Fifth is Śāntātīta kala where only the supreme Śiva tattva exists.

Three-fold Vacakādhvā

The creator of this three-fold path of universe viz., Vacyādhvā, is Vacakādhvā, which is the subjective cycle of this creation also in three fold form (Parā-adhvan, Sūkṣma-adhvan, Sthūla-adhvan)^[3]. Subtlest form(Parā) is the path of letters, Varṇādhvā. Subtle (Sūkṣma) vacakādhvā is Padādhvā and consists of the world of words. Gross (sthūla) vācakādhvā is Mantrādhvā consisting of sentences.

The combination of these six adhvās, consisting of the three objective adhvans and the three subjective adhvās is called Ṣaḍadhvā, the six-fold adhvās which effect expansion of this whole universe, both subjective and objective.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 6.

[2]:

[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 182 .

[3]:

[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 181 .