Cidgaganacandrika (study)

by S. Mahalakshmi | 2017 | 83,507 words

This page relates ‘Shaktopaya (spiritual progression)’ 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 1b - Śāktopāya (spiritual progression)

Śāktopāya is an upāya which is functioned by the means of energies. Śāktopāya is called Jñānopāya[1] as it is the means originating from Jñāna Śakti, the energy of knowledge. Aspirant is more important in this upāya than the Guru because he must make himself capable of receiving the Guru’s grace. He must work to develop great velocity of awareness until he reaches the “feet of the Guru (Gurupādukā).” which does not mean literally the physical feet of the Guru. “Being at the feet of the Guru” means reaching that state where the aspirant is capable of receiving the grace of the Guru. Those who reach that state become eligible to be at the “feet of the Guru.”

Yogi in Śāktopāya need not recite mantras or be aware of using his breath or concentrate on any particular spot. He has only to see and concentrate on that Supreme Being that is found in two actions without actions. This is called centering in “Vijanana Bhairava Tantra”.

Centering can be practiced in Śāktopāya, in between any and all actions and thoughts. In centering, the yogi must develop great velocity of awareness. Great velocity means firmness of awareness. Awareness must not become loose. If the yogi’s awareness becomes loose he will be forced out of Śāktopāya into the lowest upāya, āṇavopāya. He will loose the right to tread on the path of Śāktopāya. His practice must be continuous in the cycle of his awareness. Only by maintaining an unbroken chain of awareness will he be able to find out the reality between any two thoughts or actions. The practice of centering is meant to be functioned between any two actions or any two thoughts. He can center between any two thoughts or any two movements, between one thought and another thought, between waking and dreaming, between one step and the next step, between one breath and the next breath. All actions and all thoughts are the proper framework for the practice of Śāktopāya. The Śāktopāya yogi must simply insert breakless awareness in the center of any two actions or thoughts. If his awareness is faulty and is not breakless then he falls and enters into the lowest upāya, āṇavopāya. The concept of spiritual progression is the very essence of Krama system.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 9.

[2]:

[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 23.

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