Part 7 - Śaktipāta—Conferring of spiritual energy

Śaktipāta (from Śakti—“(psychic) energy”—and pāta, “to fall”).

Śaktipāta refers to the conferring of spiritual “energy” upon one person by another. Śaktipāta can be transmitted with a sacred word or mantra or by a look, thought or touch–the last usually to the Ājñā cakra or third eye of the recipient.

Śaktipāta is considered an act of grace (anugraha) on the part of the guru or the divine. Its reception cannot be forced and the recipient must be open to such an influx as it also cannot be imposed by force. The consciousness of the god or guru is held to enter into the Self of the disciple, constituting an initiation into the school or the spiritual family (Kula) of the guru. It is held that Śaktipāta can be transmitted in person or at a distance, through an object such as a flower or fruit or else by telephone or letter.

Levels of intensity

According to the intensity, Śaktipāta can be classified in Kashmir Śaivism as:

Tīvra-tīvra-śaktipāta—the so-called “Super Supreme Grace”—produces immediate identity with Śiva and liberation; due to the extreme intensity of this grace the physical body dies; such a being goes on to become a Siddha master and bestows grace from his abode (Siddhaloka), directly into the heart of deserving aspirants.

Tīvra-madhya-śaktipāta—“Supreme Medium Grace”—such a being becomes spiritually illuminated and liberated on his own, relying directly on Śiva, not needing initiation or instruction from other exterior guru. This is facilitated by an intense awakening of his spiritual intuition (pratibhā) which immediately eliminates ignorance.

Tīvra-manda-śaktipāta—“Supreme Inferior Grace”—the person who received this grace strongly desires to find an appropriate guru, but he does not need instruction, but a simple touch, a look or simply being in the presence of his master is enough to trigger in him to the state of illumination.

Madhya-tīvra-śaktipāta—“Medium Supreme Grace”—a disciple who receives this grace desires to have the instruction and initiation of a perfect guru; in time he becomes enlightened. However, he is not totally absorbed into this state during his lifetime and receives a permanent state of fusion with Śiva after the end of his life.

Madhya-madhya-śaktipāta—“Medium Middle Grace”—such a disciple will receive initiation from his guru and have an intense desire to attain liberation, but at the same time he still has desire for various enjoyments and pleasure; after the end of his life, he proceeds to paradise where he fulfills all his desires and after that he receives again initiation from his master and realizes permanent union with Śiva.

Madhya-manda-śaktipāta—“Medium Inferior Grace”—is similar to “Medium Middle Grace” except that in this case the aspirant desires worldly pleasures more than union with Śiva; he needs to be reincarnated again as a spiritual seeker to attain liberation

Manda—“Inferior Grace”—for those who receive this level of grace, the aspiration to be united with Śiva is present only in times of distress and suffering; the grace of Śiva needs to work in them for many lifetimes before spiritual liberation occurs.

These concepts are highlighted in the text Cidgaganacandrika, our topic of research. The work elaborates on the Trika school tenets in the Third and Fourth vimarśas in relevant places. This work [Cidgaganacandrikā] of Kālidasa (Srivatsa) being a commentary on Kramastuti of Sambhunatha gives more emphasis on the Krama aspects of Trika philosophy.