Spandasandoha

The Spandasandoha is an important text in the Kashmiri scholarly tradition, attributed to the great teacher Kṣemarāja and associated with the author of the Spandakārikā, Kallaṭa. It is a commentary on the nature of spanda, vibration as the most subtle form of consciousness and its manifestation in the phenomenal world.

Opening Verses and Prologue

The Spandasandoha opens with this salutation:

oṃ namaḥ svātmāmṛtavapuṣe śaṃbhave

This invocation honours the immortal nature, Śiva or Śaṃbhu, blissful consciousness, whose very nature is spanda — the spontaneous, unceasing vibration or pulse of primordial consciousness that is the source of all phenomenal existence. The text immediately establishes a connection between the personal and the universal.

The work itself is attributed to Kṣemarāja, a prominent figure in the Śaiva tradition. He expanded upon the Spandakārikā, a foundational text by Kallaṭa. The Spandasandoha functions as a bridge between philosophical ideas and practical spiritual application. It offers a clearer understanding of the relationship between conditioned and ultimate consciousness.

Spanda

Spanda is obviously central to the Spandasandoha. In the Spandakārikā, spanda refers to the subtle vibration or dynamic pulse of divine consciousness. The universe is understood as a manifestation of spanda, which is not static but is in constant flux, evolving and expanding from the level of primordial consciousness itself.

"akalitamahimā yaḥ kṣmādisādāśivāntaṃ kalayati hṛdi viśvaṃ citrasaṃyojanābhiḥ" 

In this verse, spanda is depicted as the force that "spans" or extends the universe, connecting diverse elements in a harmonious yet dynamic interplay. The word "akalita" means that this divine vibration is not constrained by time or space. It manifests as both the creator and the destroyer of the universe, existing beyond duality, transcending all distinctions.

Spanda is the principle that creates the dynamic tension between creation (sṛṣṭi) and dissolution (pralaya). It is the pulse that animates the universe, the cosmic heartbeat that governs the cycle of existence. This cosmic spanda is described as "citrasaṃyojanābhiḥ" — linking the diverse phenomena of the world in a beautiful, colourful (citra) dance.

The Nonduality of the Spanda

The essence of all phenomena is Śiva — indivisible and immortal, primordial consciousness:

"caitanyābdheḥ prasaradamṛtaṃ troṭitāyāsatantraṃ sarvasyāntaḥ sphuradapi mahāmudrayā mudritaṃ yat" 

The ocean of consciousness (caitanyābdheḥ) is the source of the boundless and fluid nature of spanda. Despite the apparent diversity and individuality of phenomena, everything is ultimately an expression of primordial consciousness. The diversity is like waves on the surface of an infinite ocean — temporary and fleeting but ultimately stemming from the same source.

On a fascinating point, the verse also refers to the "mahāmudrā", or the great seal, a key term from Vajrayāna. “Sealed by the Great Seal” signifies the final realisation of the nondual nature of reality.

The phenomenal world is understood as infused with divine vibration, and every moment is thus an expression of ultimate reality. There is no distinction between the microcosm and the macrocosm, between the conditioned and the divine.

The Role of the Guru and the Path of Realisation

The third verse introduces the role of the guru in guiding the seeker toward the realisation of spanda:

"unmīlitaṃ spandatattvaṃ mahadbhir gurubhir yataḥ" 

Spanda is understood through the direct transmission of knowledge from a realised teacher (guru). The guru's role is to open the eyes of the disciple, to help him or her perceive the divine vibration that pervades all reality. The relationship between the guru and disciple is not just intellectual but is rooted in direct spiritual experience.

The guru is the embodiment of divine grace, whose instructions allow the practitioner to experience the ultimate spanda within themselves.

The Dynamic Nature of Spanda and the Universe

The text delves deeply into the dynamic interplay between the apparent distinctions in the world and the underlying unity. The tension between creation and dissolution, the unmeṣa and nimeṣa, is a central theme. Unmeṣa refers to the opening or unfolding of consciousness, while nimeṣa refers to the closing or withdrawal of consciousness.

This cyclical process is not a mere metaphor but is viewed as the actual mechanism by which the universe functions. The text uses the imagery of the opening and closing of eyes to explain how the universe alternates between manifestation and dissolution:

"yasyonmeṣanimeṣābhyāṃ jagataḥ pralayodayau" 

This interplay of unmeṣa and nimeṣa is essential for the continued manifestation of the cosmos. Each cycle represents a pulsation of spanda that gives rise to creation, maintenance, and dissolution. The universe exists in a constant state of flux, yet beneath this flux lies the reality of Śiva.

The Role of Māyā and the Nondual Nature of Reality

The text goes on to discuss the role of Māyā (illusion) in creating the appearance of duality in the world. It argues that despite the seeming separation between the self and the universe, in truth, this separation is illusory. Duality is illusory, created by Māyā, divine magic.

The Five Cosmic Functions of the Divine (Pañcavidhakṛtyakāritvam)

A central theme in the text is the description of the five activities or functions (pañcavidhakṛtyakāritvam) of the Supreme Lord. These are:

• Creation (Sṛṣṭi): The manifestation of the universe from the divine consciousness.

• Sustenance (Sthiti): The preservation of the created universe, ensuring its continuity.

• Destruction (Saṃhāra): The dissolution of the universe, returning it to its unmanifested state.

• Concealment (Tirobhāva): The temporary concealment of the true nature of consciousness.

• Grace (Anugraha): The divine grace that unveils liberation.

Śakticakra, the Wheel of Energy

The text describes the śakticakra, the "wheel of energy," which governs the functioning of the universe. This wheel represents the dynamic force through which the divine manifests. The śakticakra is understood as the source of all material and spiritual phenomena, ensuring the harmony and balance of the universe.

The śakticakra is described as the engine of creation and destruction, driving the cyclical processes of the universe. Through this power, the divine orchestrates the flow of energies that govern both the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual). Understanding and aligning with the wheel of energy leads to realisation.