Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra, стр. 168

SHAKTI AND SHAKTA

This evolution of consciousness is described in the scheme of the Thirty-six Tattvas.

Shangkara and Sangkhya speak of the 24 Tattvas from Prakriti to Prithivi. Both Shaivas and Sh&ktas speak of the Thirty-six Tattvas, showing, by the extra number of Tattvas, how Purusha and Prakriti themselves originated. The northern or Advaita Shaiva Agama and the Shakta Agama are allied, though all Shaiva Scripture adopts the same Tattvas. In all the Agamas whether Vaishnava, Shaiva, or Shakta, there are points of doctrine which are the same or similar. The Vaishnava Pancharatra, however, moves in a different sphere of thought, and its expression. It speaks in lieu of the Abhasa here described of four Vytiha or forms of N&rayana, viz., Vasudeva, Sangkarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. The Thirty-six Tattvas are the 24 from Prithivi to Prakriti together with {proceeding upwards) Purusha, Maya and the five Kanchukas (Kala, Kala, Niyati, Vidya, Raga) Shuddhavidya (or Sadvidya), Shakti, Shiva. These are divided into three groups signified by the terms Shiva Tattva, Vidya Tattva, Atma Tattva, common in the ritual. Shiva Tattva is the Tattvas from and including Shiva Tattva to Shuddhavidya. These are known asthe Pure Tattvas (Shuddha-Tattva). They are the Tattvas of the pure universe of Consciousness because they precede MAaya-Shakti and all dualities. Vidya Tattva includes Maya, the five Kanchukas and Purusna. These are the pure-impure Tattvas (Shuddhashuddha), because they stand midway between the first and the last. Atma Tattva is the impure Tattvas (Ashuddha Tattva) of the world of duality namely the 24 Tattvas from Prakriti to Prithivi. The particular description here of the 36 Tattvas, held by both Shaivas and Shaktas, is taken from the northern Shaiva Kashmir philosophical school, itself based on the older Agamas such as MAalinivijaya Tantra and others.

It is common doctrine of Advaitavada that the One is of dual aspect; the first static (Shiva) and the other kinetic

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