Principle of Shakti in Kashmir Shaivism (Study)
by Nirmala V. | 2016 | 65,229 words
This page relates ‘Branching out of Shaktis-Modes of Differentiation� of the thesis dealing with the evolution and role of Shakti—the feminine principle—within the religious and philosophical framework of Kashmir Shaivism. Tantrism represents an ancient Indian spiritual system with Shakti traditionally holding a prominent role. This study examines four major sub-streams: Kula, Krama, Spanda, and Pratyabhijnā.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Part 2.2 - Branching out of Śپs-Modes of Differentiation
Although Śپ is believed to have attained the philosophised form in a later phase within the Ś, as a philosophical principle it has acquired a prominent place in the entire Śaivite monistic system. However, Śپ is a principle having huge and complex structure and is interpreted through the names such as, Caitanya, 峾ٳⲹ, ʰś첹, ʰṇa, Bhavanakartṛtā, ٳ, Bhogyatā, ʰپ, ūṇa etc. which evidently recite the diverse functions of Śپ.[1] Then a question may be asked that why these various subjects are separately identified with the single connotation-Śپ? It is because the single Śپ is theorized in the technical philosophical contexts, as one which acts occasionally as many with regard to the corresponding duties.
The supreme Ś exists as the whole universe and hence in the immanent view, there are two Śپs viz., 侱śپ and Svātantrayśakti. The same Svātantryaśakti is or śپ which transforms into four sub varieties known as Niyati, ʰԲ, Manas and Deha. Niyatiśakti has two divisions as and ñԲ or . This ñԲ or turns into Jñātṛtva and ṛt. Jñātṛtvaśakti produces ñԲ, ṛt and Apohanaśaktis. ṛtśakti becomes Kālaśakti and śakti.
In accordance with the kriyākāritva (potential to act), Śپs are ṛṣṭi, Sthiti and ṃh, վǻԲ and Anugraha. In the perspective of pramātṛsvātantrya (freedom of the knower), Prabhu, Āٳ and ʰṇa are the Śپs. In earlier religious philosophic backgrounds, Śپ is known as ṛk, ī, ī, Gocarī, Dikcarī, ūī etc. But in the general contexts, these are not included in the groups of forms of Śپ.[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
This particular account of the Śپ principle in terms of the divergent functions is done by Navjivan Rastogi in Kashmir Śivādvayvād Ke Mūl Avdhāraṇāyem, p.106.
[2]:
Ibid., p.105. It should be noted fascinatedly that such ‘inferior� conceptions are not been considered as the forms of Śپs in the common philosophical discussions.