Cidgaganacandrika (study)
by S. Mahalakshmi | 2017 | 83,507 words
This page relates ‘Nine-fold grace of Shiva� 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.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Part 4 - Nine-fold grace of Ś
Ś creates Gurus and Śṣy through His fifth act (anugraha) the act of grace. This grace (Śپٲ) is nine-fold creation of Gurus and disciples.
1) Tīvratīvra Śپٲ
First and highest level of grace is called Tīvratīvra Śپٲ (Super Supreme Grace) bestowed by Ś leads one to perfectly recognized state of Self. By this kind of intense grace he knows his real nature completely and in perfection and unable to resist it by his body and he condemns his body and is dead. He being not visible in this world, becomes a Guru, however, accomplishing the act of his mastery secretly in the hearts of deserving disciples, who experience his subtle existence.
2) Tīvramadhya Śپٲ
Second intensity of grace is called Tīvramadhya Śپٲ (Supreme Medium Grace). By this intensity of grace of Ś, though the recipient becomes completely and perfectly illumined, he does not leave his body. He is said to be a ʰپ guru, who is self-made guru without any initiation by another guru. He experiences spontaneous enlightenment. ʰپguru lives in this world with his physical body for the upliftment of mankind.
3) Tīvramanda Śپٲ
Third intensity of grace is called Tīvramanda Śپٲ (Inferior Supreme Grace).One who receives this grace, desires to go to the feet of a spiritual guru. The guru thus found by him, has received the second intensity of grace, Tīvramadhya Śپٲ. This guru is perfect and all knowing. There is no difference between this guru and Ś. This guru does not initiate him, but with simple touch with his divine hand, or gaze, or embrace, makes this disciple who is a recipient of medium supreme grace, to transcend individuality perfectly and enter into that supreme transcendental state without the need of practicing japa (recitation) or Բ (contemplation), etc. Although he still experiences pleasure and pain in his physical body it does not affect him as his being has become supreme. The guru who has received this intensity of grace known as Rudra Śپ-屹ś: is called Rudra Śپ-屹ṣṭ: because he has completely entered into the trance of Rudra Śپ, the energy of Ś. He exhibits five signs which can be observed by others. The first sign is his intense love for Ś. The second sign is (mantrasiddhi) i.e., whenever he recites any mantra the 𱹲 (deity) of that mantra appears to him at once without his having to wait. The third sign is his control over the five elements. The fourth sign is that whatever work he begins he completes it without defect. The fifth sign is that either he is a master of all the scriptures or he becomes a great poet.
These three supreme intensities of grace of Ś, create gurus in the kingdom of spirituality[1]. Lesser intensities of grace of Ś create deserving disciples.
4) Madhyatīvra Śپٲ
Fourth intensity of grace is called Madhyatīvra Śپٲ (Medium Supreme Grace). By this intensity of grace the disciple reaches the feet of that guru who is absolutely perfect. But because the foundation established in the mind of this disciple is not quite completely perfect, the mere touch or glance of this perfect guru will not bring this disciple to enlightenment. He, therefore, initiates this disciple in the proper manner by giving him a mantra and teaching him the proper way of treading. Through this initiation this disciple becomes enlightened[2], however, he is not completely satisfied with this enlightenment during the period of the existence of his physical body. At the time of his death while leaving his physical body, due to the earlier initiation received, he obtains completely satisfactory results and becomes one with Ś.
5) Madhyamādhya Śپٲ
Fifth intensity of grace is alled Madhyamādhya Śپٲ (Medium Middle Grace). When Ś bestows this particular intensity of grace upon someone, the intense desire for achieving the existence of Ś arises in this person’s mind. He does not want to enjoy worldly pleasure along with wanting to realize the existence of Ś. Yet the intensity of his desire is only for achieving Ś’s state. So, though he is initiated by a guru and realizes his Real nature as Ś, his Real Self, and enjoys the bliss of that state while remaining in his physical body, simultaneously he also enjoys the pleasures of the world.As these worldly pleasures, which take place in this mortal field of the universe, are not real pleasures, he at the time of his leaving his physical body enters into the Kingdom of Paradise (svargaloka) and enjoys all the pleasures to his entire satisfaction. After he has satisfied his desire for worldly pleasures he does not come down again into this world but is again initiated by his guru,who is all pervading, remaining in heaven. Through this initiation he becomes complete and realizes the reality of his Supreme Nature and from heaven itself he enters into the Kingdom of Ś and merges in Him completely.
6) Madhyamānda Śپٲ
Sixth intensity of grace is called Madhyamānda Śپٲ (Medium Inferior Grace). The effect of this grace is similar to the effect of Medium MiddleGrace but for the difference in premodinance. The effect of Medium Middle Grace is that in the mind of the disciple arises both the desire for attaining the State of Ś and the desire for experiencing worldly pleasures, however, the predominant desire is for attaining the State of Ś. The effect of Medium Inferior Grace is also that in the mind of this disciple arises both the desire for attaining the State of Ś and the desire for experiencing worldly pleasures, however, the predominant desire here is for experiencing worldly pleasures. Though he achieves Self Realization it is not complete because of the agitation he experiences for seeking worldly pleasures. So at the time of his leaving his physical body this intensity of grace carries him from this mortal world first to paradise where he enjoys the pleasures of the world. While in paradise, however, he does not gain the fitness to begin practicing for attaining the realization of his Self. He must, therefore, be again reborn and come down into this mortal field. And from that very birth he sentences his mind toward the fulfillment of his Self realization. Although his life in this mortal realm is very short as Ś wants to carry him quickly to His own State, yet he becomes absolutely complete in that short span of time and enters, in the end, into the Transcendental state of Ś.
The above three medium intensities of grace take place in the field of aspirants living in the kingdom of Śdharma. Those aspirants living in this field of Śdharma have the tendency for achieving the state of Self Realization at least half hourly during the day and at least twice during the night. The remaining period they keep aside for worldly pleasures.
7-9) ѲԻ岹ī, Manda Madhya, Manda Manda Śپٲ
The following three inferior intensities of grace, ѲԻ岹ī (Inferior Supreme), Manda Madhya (Inferior Medium), and Manda manda (Inferior Inferior), take place in the field of aspirants living in the kingdom of lokadharma, the kingdom of worldly life. These aspirants have the desire for achieving the state of Ś, Self-realization, only when the pains and pressures of this world become too much to bear. At that moment they want to abandon everything and achieve Self realization, however, they are not able to and though they want to leave this worldly life they can not leave. These aspirants have more tendency for worldly pleasure and less tendency for realizing their Self. But, as the grace of Ś shines on them, in the end, which may take many lifetimes, they become one with the Supreme Being. This is the greatness of Ś’s grace that in no matter what intensity His grace is with you it will carry you in the end to His Nature.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
[侱岵ԲԻ] Verse 186.