Author: Swami Akhandanand Saraswati

Publisher: Srikanth s

Published:

Total Pages: 82

ISBN-13:

In the tradition of the siddha (those who have obtained their goal; enlightened Mahatmas), the name 'spanda' was used for the parama tattva (supreme essence, the Brahman) since ancient times. Other names used for this Tattva are, shuddhaatmaa (the pristine Atma), Shankara, Shiva, svabhaava (own nature), gnaataa (the knower), and saamaanya (the common factor, or general principle). It is also known as the Kashmiri pratyabhignaadarshan (the consciousness that illuminates everything. The 'Sarvadarshan Samhita' calls it the 'Shiva Darshan' (a glimpse of Shiva, who we revere). This corresponds with Abhinav Gupta's sadhanaa-paddhati (method used for spiritual progress). Acharya Bhatta Kallata obtained its rahasya (quintessence; hidden indications) from his Guru, Vasugupta, and composed fifty kaarikaa (philosophical verses) as a summery. Utpalacharya wrote a commentary on it in the middle of the tenth century. He called it, 'Spanda Pradeepika'. It is in Sanskrit. It has been published just one, in 1898, by the Medical Hall Press in Varanasi. This is now presented in a succinct form, for Hindi readers.