Mahakaal Samhita Foreword - II (Kaamkala)

TANTRA   MAHAKAAL SAMHITA 
                           FOREWORD:

 by M.M.Gopinath Kaviraj ji.
                 Originally in Bengali 

Part Il.  Kaamkala.

    For inquisitive sadhakas of Tantra, Kamkala is not an unknown subject. It is an established fact that Adi Shankaracharya knew this very well. Its reference is found in the Saundaryalahiri also, which came from Adi Shankara only. While studying the step by step detailed instructions of Shri Vidya upasana, one comes across the introduction to it in various Tantric scriptures. From here it seems that such a procedure was prevalent in South India.

    When following Kalikram scriptures of North and East India, no special reference of Kaamkala was found. But still one thing can be said that this Kaamkala tattva was known to all the practitioners of Shaki upasana. In Mahakaal Tantra, references which one finds of Kaamkala, are a little different from what Southern Indian philosophy explained. We will try to discuss some basic points of it here, as introduction, so that the main topic can be understood better.

    Achievement of the non-dual state is the main purpose of Shakt upasana. What Tantrik Acharyas speak of as Param is actually nishkal pad (without kalna). That alone joins with Paramshiv and is explained as Parashakti or Mahashakti.  It is the Akhand form of light and is also known as Chid. That is Sat because of being Chit and Chit because of being Sat. Complete freedom is its nature. Because of this attribute, it is also Anand ( bliss). Because where there is no duality, or rather, where it is not even expected, there Anand is natural. This state is not of the form of light but Light itself. Though it is light but still it is Vimarsh (consultation) also.  Because of its power of freedom, being non-dual it can act dual, and being vibrationless (nihspand) it can appear to vibrate (spand). Hence Tantric Achrayas do not accept any difference between Shiv and Shakti. Without Shakti, Shiv is desireless, without knowledge and dynamism. This equanimity of Shiv and Shakti is called Samrasya.

    Whatever world around us we perceive as dual. Though it seems dual but actually it is non-dual. While transforming from one to many, two are needed. These are two states:

1. Two entities completely joined as one.

2. An entity which is perceived as different, but is actually one with the other. This state is called Yamal.

    Without these two states, the cosmos cannot be created. Where first and second are joined as Yamal, great oneness comes to light. Where these two are present in dual form, outer dual creation is experienced. The first state is called ANTARANG and the second state is called BAHIRANG. In the Agamas this is explained with the help of rekha-vinayas. Non-dual state and dual cosmic creation state, both are the plays of Shakti. One power makes one reach Shiv tattva while the other one leads to the duality of cosmic creation.

    Cosmic creation is based on BINDU. When in the free-state of paramtattva, vibration touches bindu and it converts into a LINE (rekha). The smallest line is formed by joining two bindus (as the ends of a line represent two points). Creation dependent upon it is not developed from bindu, but three lines are required for that. A triangle which is formed by these three lines is called Vishwa yoni (cosmic womb). In Vedant, it is referred to as ‘Yoneh Shareeram’. Without the help of a womb, birth can not take place.

    At the base of cosmic creation is Matrika. Meaning of Matrika is ‘Mother’. Matrika or Mahamatrika is the real Vishwajanani or Cosmic Mother. One non-dual element alone, by associating with it, becomes many. Matrikas, though fifty in number, in essence are one and not many. Actually, they are the ksharatmat power of the Aksharbrahm. In the ancient Agams, Matrika Shakti has been referred to as Paravaag. In Vedic lore, what is explained as Shabdbrahm, is also this. Shabdbrahm or Paramatrika is the Cosmic Mother.

    For the purpose of discussion, three levels are being talked of here. The First stage is where there is no creation, preservation or annihilation. Here eternal and complete truth is established in its full splendour. Here there is no question of Shiv and Shakti, what to say of Jeev and Jagat (cosmic creation).

  Second stage is where Parbrahm and Shabdbrahm, both exist but as one, in perfect balance. This is a state of Yugalbhav. As per Tantric language, this is a state of equanimity of Shiv and Shakti. As the first stage is eternal similarly this second stage also coexists. After this, the perfect balance between the two is broken. In the perfectly balanced state, duality is not experienced. Second stage is jeev and jagat (cosmos).  Earlier mentioned second state is actually not complete oneness but a state without any VIKALP. Vikalp is present in the dual state only, but it is not present even in the perfectly balanced state, what to say of complete oneness.

    The eternal complete truth, which is showing the whole creation, has a closely associated Shakti which is called Matrika. Matrika is, in effect, another name of Mahashakti alone. Effulgence without Matrika is effulgence which is unable to light up anything. Knowledge and Realisation are eternally associated and are self evident. Had there been no Vaagroopta in Light, then though being light, it would not have been possible for it to be evident because Matrika is the Shakti behind it. When Matrika disappears then light is just light but is unable to experience itself as Light. Because of this Matrika Shakti alone, the whole of the creation is lighted.

    The whole creation in the form of Ishwar, Jeev, and inanimate worlds comes from Matrika. It can be complete Aham as well as fragmented Aham. But in all realms, it is the play of Matrika only. Maha Mandal from A-kaar to H-kaar is infact Matrika mandal. Because of the presence of all the fifty Matrikas from A-kaar to H-kaar in Samashti Roop, complete Aham is manifested. Satchidanand Brahm in its non-evident form is Sat, while in light form it is Atmaprakash.  Akhand Matrika mandal is Eternal-Self-Parmeshwar’s complete Aham. This form is eternally effulgent, complete and self proven. There is nothing outside it.  Every thing exists inside it.

                                                Om Shanti!

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