Cidgaganacandrika (study)
by S. Mahalakshmi | 2017 | 83,507 words
This page relates ‘Pratyahara (annexure)’ of the English study of the Cidgaganacandrika: an important Tantric work belonging to the Krama system of Kashmir Shaivism. Written by Kalidasa (Shrivatsa) in 312 Sanskrit verses, the Cidgagana-Candrika deals with the knowledge regarding both the Macrocosmic and Microcosmic phenomena. This study includes renditions from the two available commentaries—the Divyacakorika and the Kramaprakashika
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.
Part 9 - Pratyāhāra (annexure)
Mātṛkacakra represents creative field
The aim of Mātṛkacakra is to function with the first and the last letter in either the way of Śiva or in the way of Śakti. To function in the way of Śiva take the first letter “a” which is the first step of Śiva in the creative field, and combine this first letter with the last state of Śiva the letter “ha”, which is the resting place and the last letter of Mātṛkacakra. This also corresponds to Panini’s concept of Pratyāhāra (annexure). The first letter along with the last letter represents all of the letters mentioned therein. The whole universe of letters will come within those two letters.
Śiva-pratyāhāra and Śakti-pratyāhāra
According to the rules of Sanskrit grammer we then, after combining the letters “a” and “ha”, have to put the letter “m” on the end and this creates the mantra of Śiva, “aham”[1]. The letter “m” has a special significance. It indicates that this whole Pratyāhāra, which is contained in the letters from “a” to “ha”, and which has produced the one hundred and eighteen worlds, the thirty six elements, and the five circles (kalās), has in reality created nothing. It is just one point. This is the significance of the letter “m” which is Anusvāra.
The way of Śakti is the way of energy. The difference between Śakti prathyāhāra and Śiva pratyāhāra is that in Śakti pratyāhāra two Śaktis combine together and create a world of their own. Śakti is actually the existence of created Being. Śiva is the creator. Here Śakti wants to become independent of Śiva. To do so She must create a world of Her own. It is like what happens with bees. When the queen bee stops creating eggs then the worker, without mating bees create eggs of their own. This is the mating of Śaktis. Śiva is put aside and Śakti combines with Śakti to create their own world which is the expansion of Śaktis. This creation takes the first letter of the consonants, the letter “ka”, which is the first letter of the Śaktis and combines it with the last letter of the Śaktis, the last consonant, the letter “ṣa” and produces the mantra of Śakti, the mantra “kṣa”.[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 2.
[2]:
[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 1.