Re: Spanda-karikas and Nijashuddhi
Hari Om
~~~~~
Namaste
Reading the Spanda kārikā-s I came across the definition of spanda on several occations. This word spanda is known as throbbing , throb , quiver , pulse , tremor , vibration , motion , activity. It suggests that pure consciousness has ~some~ movement, really spiritual dynamism, the cause for all movement, therefore potential.
I think as I read it more, it becomes clear that this spanda is the notion of Self-awareness of the Divine. The sage Utpaladeva talks of it this way:
The Divine is termed Maheśvara (or Great Lord) because of His ever-present, imutable vimṛiṣa (some spell vimarśa) or SELF-awareness. That SELF-awareness in its absolute freedom (svātantrya) constitutes Divine pure (ṣuddha) knowledge and activity.
For me, this suggests the movement or throb... the Divine being aware of itsSELF in ITs perfectly still state nirguna Brahman - some may call this nimeṣa; being aware, just aware of itSELF.
Kṣemarāja who is the comentator of the Spanda kārikā-s, tells us in the very beginning of his work that svarūpaspandaḥ, or spanda is the essental nature of Śiva. This is reviewed in the 1st section of the book within 25 kārikā-s ( verses).
Last, this freedom or svātantrya is much talked about. It's reflected as a triad or 3, that of icchā śakti, kriyā śakti and jñāna śakti, the power of Divine Will, Action and Knowledge.
I will add a few more interesting points to the conversation as I find them. I thought the above was insightful and frankly enjoyable to write about.
pranams
words used
- ṣuddha शुद्ध - cleansed , cleared , clean , pure , clear , bright , white
- spanda स्पन्द - throbbing , throb , quiver , pulse , tremor , vibration , motion , activity . The muni Kṣemarāja, who is the comentator of the Spanda kārikā-s, suggests spanda is or connotes the absolute freedom (svātantra) of the Divine
Last edited by yajvan; 05 October 2009 at 04:18 PM.
यतसà¥à¤¤à¥à¤µà¤‚ शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṠśivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
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