Cidgaganacandrika (study)
by S. Mahalakshmi | 2017 | 83,507 words
This page relates ‘Spanda system—Vibration/movement of consciousness’ 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 6 - Spanda system—Vibration/movement of consciousness
Spanda system, introduced by Vasugupta (c.800 AD), is usually described as “vibration/movement of consciousness”[1]. [Abhinavagupta] uses the expression “some sort of movement” to imply the distinction from physical movement; it is rather a vibration or sound inside the Divine, a throb. Essence of the vibration is an ecstatic self-recurrent consciousness. Central tenet of the system is “everything is Spanda”, both the objective exterior reality and the subjective world. Nothing exists without movement, yet the ultimate movement takes place not in space or time, but inside the Supreme Consciousness (cit). So, it is a cycle of internalization and externalization of consciousness itself, relating to the most elevated plane in creation (Śiva -Śakti).
In order to describe the connotations of the Spanda concept, a series of equivalent concepts are enumerated, such as:
- self recurrent consciousness—vimarśa,
- unimpeded will of the Supreme Consciousness (cit)—svātantrya,
- supreme creative energy—visarga,
- heart of the divine—hṛdaya and
- ocean of light-consciousness—cidānanda.
The most important texts of the system are Śivasutras, Spanda Karika and Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[Cidgaganacandrikā] Verse 1.