Spanda-Karikas

The Divine Creative Pulsation

The Spandakarikas are a number of verses that serve as a sort of commentary on the Siva-sutras. According to Saivagama, the Divine Consciousness is not simply cold, inert intellection. It is rather spanda, active, dynamic, throbbing with life, creative pulsation.

Spandakarikas are a sort of commentary on the Siva-sutras. The word karika means ‘a collection of verses on grammatical, philosophical or scientific subjects’. The word spanda literally means a ‘thorb’. It connotes dynamism or the dynamic aspect of the Divine creative pulsation.

The self, according to Spandakarikas, is not simply a witnessing consciousness, but is characterized by both cognition and activity. He who is in communion with this active Self can alone rise to the status of his highest being.

Note : The Karikas and the Spanda-nirnaya translated into English by Jaideva Singh.