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Essay name: Shaiva Tantra: A way of Self-awareness

Author: L. N. Sharma
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Philosophy and Religion

This essay studies Shaiva Tantra and Tantric philosophies which have evolved from ancient cultural practices and represents a way of Self-awareness. Saiva Tantra emphasizes the individual's journey to transcendence through inner and external sacrifices, integrating various traditions while aiming for an uncreated, harmonious state.

Chapter 2 - Unity, Polarity, Multiplicity

Page:

10 (of 14)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Copyright (license):

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)


Warning! Page nr. 10 has not been proofread.

52 91
-
may
he
light
Isvara
Right side
ordinary alphabet
transcendent emission
syntesis (contrahunting
born). Equally,
may
"it
panthe), ie abiding
Left side
thinking
Sadasiva
garlended alphabet
immanent emission
The unifying synthesis gives a new quality to the
polarity transcending contradiction. In this third plane could be
included; the knowing subject, the vertical breathing (udana), susumn
fire, the unifying emission, the twilight, the final cakra, theunion
of man and woman and so on. It must also be added that the stage whic
balancing creates equilibrium between opposites, would occupy the central space
(madayastha, madhyama-
in a
graphical scheme. The synthesis representing a new quality,
tom the alteration acquires new functions, hence it could be considered as a relation.
From the practical point of view, the tantrika and the yogi will
realise, for instance, the confluence of the two opposite breathings
- praṇa and apana in the central canal where a third breathing,
udana or vertical breathing, circulates. Udana represents the dissolve
fire burning all the antinomies which weave the transmigration (Siva
and Sakti, sun and moon, seed and matrix etc).
In connection with the relationship between Siva and
his power, Abhinavagupta quotes from the Trisirobhairavatantra : "The
supreme plane which has the supreme knowledge as its own nature,
contains inside itself the power (saktigarbha) by virtue of power
contained in itself" (TA, II, 32). Then the power is found in Siva's
very nature. And Abhinava adds: "He (Siva) is neither a being (bhava),

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