The Shakta concept of Nada, Bindu and Kala

[Some technical terms in Sakta tantras (8) Nada, Bindu and Kala]

The minutest form in mantras, in the concept that, sabdabrahman is the primal cause of the world, is Nada. It functions as a string passing through several letters forming as a compositewhole with the letters or like the threads in a piece of cloth. It emanates from the mystical centre in human body called Muladharacakra (existing at the tip of genitals). Nada is 103 otherwise called cosmic sound, and is an evolute representation of pure knowledge. It knows the pure, comprehends, and understands it, specified as Jnana sakti (power as knowledge) 104. In Her desire to create, Prakrti, confines Herself into the absolute solidified form, called Bindu. By the 102. Garland of Letters, p.234 103. Varivasya-rahasya, p.17 104. See Saivism and Phallic Worship in India, Vol. II., p.57 0.

137 : division of Kala, it has acquired the forms of Nada, Bindu and Bija which are otherwise called sthula, suksma and para The form of Bindu is like a golden hued (lighted) circle in the middle of the forehead. Nada is ruby-complexioned in between two eggs, like a nerve 106 The situation ofnBindu 105. in the middle of the forehead is indicative of the place of Ajna-cakra (the cosmic centre of manas or mind), in between 107 eyebrows. It means that Bindu issues forth from mind. Bindu exists above the Ajnacakra in the pericarp of sahasrara (thousand petalled lotus in the highest cerebral centre). It is compared to the grain of gram which under its outer sheaths contains two seeds viz., Siva and Sakti in close 108 Three Bindus constitute the great and undivided union. 105. "Vicikirsurghani bhuta kvacidabhyeti bindutan kalena bhidyamanastu sa bindurbhavati tridha sthulasuksmaparatvena tasya traividhyamisyate sa bindurnadabijatvabhedena ca nigadyate". P.Shabdataravali, p.4 106. "Madhye phalan bindurdipa ivabhati vartulakarah nadastu padmaragavad andadvayamadhya varttiniva sira" Varivasya-rahasya, 22-24, p.18 107. "Mana eva hi bindusca utpattisthitikaranam manasotpadyate binduh yatha ksiran ghrtatmakam". See Yogakundali-upanishad , III 5. 108. Garland of Letters, 120.

138 triangle of Kamakala (world-desire) by which the three processes of creation, preservation and destruction are carried out. These are again called as representations of Surya (Sun), Soma (Moon) and Anala (Fire) which stand for the powers of Iccha (desire), Jnana (knowledge) and Kriya (action). They are associated with Sattva, Rajas and Tamas: Jyestha, Vama and Raudra (which are female parts of Brahma, Visnu, and Rudra; and Sita, Sona and Misra the three feet with which Goddess blesses the devotees) 109. 9 ba e The Kundalini Sakti (Primal power) in man creats power, from which Dhvani is formed; from Dhvani Nada is derived; from Nada, Nirodhika emerged; from Nirodhika the Ardhendu (crescent) emerged and from it the Bindu. From Bindu emerged Para; and then Pasyanti and Vaikhari appeared (forms of sounds when they are in Muladhara situated at the tip of Svadhisthana; and in Anahata in the heart respectively) situated above Muladhara and 110 These constitute the 42(9 + 33) 109. "Eka murti strayo devah brahma visnu mahesvarah namavigrahasamkiptah srjatyavati hantica." Garland of Letters, p.126 110. "Sa prasute kundalini sabdabrahmamayi vibhuh T saktim tato dhvanistasmat nadastasmannirodhika. tator dhendustato binduh tasmadasit para tatah. pasyanti madhyama vaci vaikhari sabda janmabhuh. akaradiksakarantan dvi catvarimsadatmikam pancasad varnagunitan, pancasadvarnamalikam sute tadvarnato bhimna kalarudradikah kramad. See P.Shabdataravali, p.35.

139 alphabets from a to ksa (50 varnas or letters); these are otherwise called Kalas. In the process of creation, the Bindu produces the inarticulate sound called Rava which otherwise is known as Sabdabrahman. From it formed Mahattatva, or Buddhi; from A it with the help of Kala the five Tanmatras i.e., Sabda, Saprsa, Rupa, Rasa and Gandha. From them their gross elements Prthivi Ap, Tejas, Vayu and Akasa emerged; from them arose Ahankara and five Karmendriyas and Jnanendriyas, viz., mouth, hands, feet, genitals and anus; and ear, skin, nose, eyes and tongue. These principles 25 in total are manifestations of Sakti and have Kalas or moving forces which are the inner life and their secret. Kalas are not dead forces. They are realized in direct experience as Devatas in and beyond all natural manifestations and may be made to help for sadhana. Saktatantras speak of 94 Kalas viz. Pita, sveta, Nitya, Aruna, etc. 112 113 111 111. "Bindostasmad bhidyamanat ravo vyaktatmako bhavad sa ravah srutisampannaih sabdabrahmeti kathyate avyaktadantaruditat tribhedagahanatmakat mahannama bhavettatvan mahato Shankrtistada ahamkarat kalapreritaya gunadosayuja sabdasrstistatha saktya sabdad vyoma 112. Garland of Letters, p.189 113. Ibid. p.91. 11 P.Shabdataravali, p.5

140 Some Tantras speak of 36 Tattvas instead of 25 ie., 10 senses, 5 elements, 5 subtle elements, Ahamkara, Buddhi, Manas, Prakrti, Purusa, Niyati, Kala, Raga, Kala, Vidya, Maya, Suddhavidya, Isvara, Sadasiva, Sakti and Siva, and includes Kala under the 36. 114