Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

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The Eighth Jewel
Shakti-tattva
The Shakti Principle

The energies of the Supreme Lord are unlimited.

8. 1
kutam punar-grnato nama tasya mahat-tamaikanta-parayanasya
yo'nanda-saktir-bhagavan-ananto mahad-gunat-vad yamanas-tamahum
And what to speak of those who are under the direction of the great devotees, chanting the holy name of the Unlimited, who has unlimited energy? The Personality of Godhead is unlimited in energy and transcendental by attributes, is called the ananta, unlimited. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.18.19)

The unlimited energy of the Lord is divided into three principle categories.

8. 2
na tasya karyam karanans ca vidyate
na tat samas cabhyadhikas ca drsyate
parasya saktir-vividhaive-sruyate
svabhaviki jnana-bala-kriya ca
He does not possess bodily form like that of an ordinary living entity: He has a transcendental form of bliss and knowledge, and thus there is no difference between His body and His soul. All His senses are transcendentally divine. He is absolute substance. Any one of His senses can perform the action of any other sense. Nothing is greater than Him or equal to Him. His potencies are multifarious, and thus His deeds are automatically performed as a natural consequence of His divine will. In other words , whatever He wills immediately becomes reality. His divine energies are threefold: His knowledge (jnana-sakti) energy (also known as cit-sakti or samvit-sakti), His strength energy (bala-sakti, also known as the Lord's existence energy, sat, or sandhini-sakti), and his pastime (kriya-sakti) energy (also known as his ecstasy energy, ananda or hladini-sakti).
(Svetasvatara 6.8)
8. 3
ananta-sakti-madhye krsnera tina sakti pradhana
iccha-sakti, kriya-sakti, jnana-sakti-nama
iccha-sakti-pradhana krsna icchaya sarva-karta
jnana-sakti pradhana vasudeva citta-adhisthata
iccha, jnana, kriya vina na haya srjana
tinera tina-sakti meli prapa-ca racana
kriya-sakti-pradhana sankarsana balarama
prakrtaprakrta srsthi karena nirmana
ahankarera adhisthata krsnera icchaya
goloka, vaikuntha srje cicchakti-dvaraya
yadyapi asrjya nitya cicchakti-vilasa
tathapi sankarsana-icchaya tahara prakasa
Krsna has three unlimited potencies, out of which three are chief - willpower, the power of knowledge and the creative energy. The predominator of the willing energy is Lord Krsna, for by His supreme will everything comes into existence. In willing, there is a need for knowledge, and that knowledge is expressed through Vasudeva. There is no possibility of creation without thinking, feeling, willing, knowledge and activity. The combination of the supreme will, knowledge and action brings about the cosmic manifestation. Lord Sankarsana is Lord Balarama. Being the predominator of the creative energy, He creates both the material and spiritual worlds. That original Sankarsana [Lord Balarama] is the cause of both the material and spiritual creation. He is the predominating deity of egotism, and by the will of Krsna and the power of the spiritual energy, He creates the spiritual world, which consists of the planet Goloka Vrndavana and the Vaikuntha planets. Although there is no question of creation as far as the spiritual world is concerned, the spiritual world is nonetheless manifest by the supreme will of Sankarsna. The spiritual world is the abode of the pastimes of the eternal spiritual energy. (Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya 20.252-257)

Three varieties of the Lord's energy.

8. 4
krsnera ananta-sakti, ta'te tina pradhana
cic-chakti, mayasakti, jiva-sakti-nama
antaranga,bahiranga, tatastha kahi yare
antaranga svarupa-sakti sabara upare
Krsna has unlimited potencies, whic can be divided into three main parts. These are the spiritual energy, the material energy and the marginal energy, which is known as the living entities. In other words, these are all potencies of God - internal, external, and marginal. However, the internal energy is the Lord's personal energy and stants over the other two. (Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya 8.150-152)
8. 5
suryamsu kirana yaiche agni-jalaya
svabhavika krsnera tina prakara sakti haya
krsnera svabhavika-tina-sakti-parinati
cic-chakti jiva-sakti ara maya-sakti
The living entitey is a manifestation simultaneously one and different from the Lord, like a molecular particle of sunshine or fire. Krsna has three varieties of energy. Lord Krsna naturally has three energetic transformations, and these are known as the spiritual energy, the living entity energy, and the illusory energy. (Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya 20.109,111)

The evidence of the Sruti on the subject of cit-sakti

8. 6
te dhyana-yoganugata apasyan devatma-saktim svagunair-nigudam
yam karanani nikhilani tani, kalatma-yuktanyadhi-tisthaty ekam
Those who meditate in yoga upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead can see His confidential, divine power (cit-sakti). The Supreme Lord alone is the energetic source of all energies. His divine power is the immediate cause of the unlimited universes. Thus the Lord Himself is the instrumental cause (nimitta) of manifesting the living beings, the worlds of time and space, and all that reposes within them. (Svetasvatara 1.3)

The evidence of the Smrtis on the subject of cit-sakti

8. 7
ajo'pi sann avyayatma bhutanam isvaro'pi san
prakrtim svamadhisthaya sambhavamy atma-mayaya
Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all living beings, I still appear by my own energy (atma-maya) in every millenium in my original transcendental form. [Note: atma-maya refers to the spiritual potency, or cit-sakti] (Bhagavad-gita 4.6)

The evidence of the Sruti on the subject of cit-sakti

8. 8
sa visvakrd visvavidatma-yonim,jnam kalakalo guni sarva-vid yam
pradhana-ksetrajna-patir-gunesam, samsara-moksa-sthiti-vandha-hetum
The Supreme Lord is the ultimate creator of the universe. He knows the purpose of the universe. He is the indwelling Supersoul, the Lord in the heart of every living being. He is all-knowing, and is the greatest philosopher. He knows past, present and future. He is possessed of all excellences and good qualities. He is the master of the material energy (pradhana) the living beings or jiva-sakti (ksetrajna) and the internal, spiritual energy known as cit-sakti (guna). He alone is the cause of liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death and the bondage of ignorance (samsara). (Svetasvatara 6.16)

The evidence of the Smrti on the subject of jiva-sakti

8. 9
bhumirnapo'nalo vayum kham mano-buddhir eva ca
ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakrtir-asthadha
Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and perverted ego - these are the eight components of My external mayik energy. constitute My separated material energies. (Bhagavad-gita 7.4)
8. 10
apareyam-itas-tvanyam prakrtim viddhi me param
jiva-bhutam mahabaho yayedam dharyate jagat
O mighty-armed Arjuna, This is my apara-prakrti - My external mayik energy, known as matter. In addition to this, you should know that I have another energy, which is superior to matter. This superior energy of Mine, comprises the living entitites who are exploiting the resources of the material, inferior nature and sustaining the material world by infusing it with consciousness. (Bhagavad-gita 7.4)

The evidence of the Sruti on the subject of maya-sakti

8. 11
ajam-ekam lohita-sukla-krsnam
bahvim prajam srjamanam sarupam
aho hyeko jusamano'nusete
jahatyenam bhukta-bhogamajo'nyam
This threefold material nature consists of the modes of goodness, passion, and ignorance - sattva, rajam, and tamam. These material nature is the mother of the innumberable living beings within the universe. In the same way, this threefold material nature is brought into existence and supported by the one unborn Lord, who is full in self-knowledge. That unborn Lord, however, does not consort with His energy of material nature but independently enjoys the pleasure of his transcendental pastimes.
(Svetasvatara 4.5)

The evidence of the Smrti on the subject of maya-sakti

8. 12
prakrtim svamavasthabhya visrjami punam punam
bhutagramam imam krtsnam avasam prakrter vasat
This material universe is subject to My mayik creative principle (prakrti). This multitude of living beings, being dependent upon my material nature, comes into material existence again and again, and thus suffer birth and rebirth according to their previous karma. In this way, the whole world is under the influence of my creative energy (prakrti). Thus, this whole cosmic order is under me. Under My will it is automatically manifested again and again, and under My will it is annihilated at the end. (Bhagavad-gita 9.8)
8. 13
mayadhyaksena prakrtim suyate sacaracaram
hetunanena kaunteya jagad-viparivartate
O son of Kunti, my material creative energy (prakrti) is under my control. It brings forth all being, both moving and nonmoving. Under my supervision it brings this material world into existence. (Bhagavad-gita 9.10)

Two kinds of maya: guna-maya and jiva-maya

8. 14
rte'rtham yat pratiyeta na pratiyeta catmani
tad-vidyadnatmano mayam yatha-bhaso yatha tamam
O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as my maya, my illusory energy - that reflection which appears in darkness. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.34)

Material maya is the shadow of Yogamaya

8. 15
srsthi-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir-eka
chayeva yasya bhuvan-i vibharti durga
icchanurupam api yasya ca cesthate sa
govindam adi purusam tam aham bhajami
The external energy known as maya is of the nature of the shadow of the cit potency. She is worshiped as Durga - the agency of the Lord who is responsible for the the creating, preserving, and destroying of this mundane world. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, in accordance with whose will Durga conducts herself. (Brahma-Samhita 5.44)
8. 16
vilajjamanaya yasya sthatumiksapathe'muya
vimohita vikanthate mam aham iti durdhiyam
The illusory energy of the Lord cannot take precedence, being ashamed of her position, but those who are bewildered by her always talk nonsense, being absorbed in thoughts of "It is I" and "It is mine." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.5.13)

Hladini, samvit and sandhini - three kinds of energy

8. 17
hladini sandhini samvit tvayeka sarva samsthitau
hladatapakari misra tvayi no guna-varjite
O Lord, You are the support of everything. The three attributes hladini, sandhii, and samvit exist in You as one spiritual energy. but the material modes, which cause happiness, misery, and mixtures of the two, do not exist in You, for You have no material qualities. (Visnu Purana 1.12.69)
8. 18
sac-citnanandamaya krsnera svarupa
ata eva svarupa-sakti haya tina-rupa
anandamse hladini sadamse sandhini
cid-amse samvit ya're jnana kari' mani
Lord Krsna is sat-cidnananda-vigraha - the transcendental form of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. Therefore His personal energy (svarupa-sakti, the internal energy of the Lord) has three different forms. Hladini is His energy of ecstasy, beauty, sweetness, charm, harmony; sandhini, His energy of eternal existence, or reality; and samvit, of cognizance, knowledge, awareness. (Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya 8.154-155)
8. 19
svayam tva-samyatisayas-tryadhisam svarajya-laksmynapta-samasta-kamam
balim haradbhis cira-loka-palaim kirita-koty edita-pada-pitham
Lord Sri Krsna is the Lord of all kinds of threes and is independently supreme by achievement of all kinds of fortune. He is worshiped by the eternal maintainers of the creation, who offer Him the paraphernalia of worship by touching their millions of helmets to His feet. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.2.21)
8. 20
visnu-saktim para prokta kstretrajnakhya tatha-para
avidya karma-samjnanya trtiya saktir-isyate
Visnu-sakti, the energy of Krsna is threefold: para-sakti, or the Lord's superior, spiritual energy; ksetrajna-sakti, or the marginal living beings; and avidya-sakti, or the illusory energy, which is characterized by karma, the world of action and reaction. In other words, the potency of Lord Visnu is summarized in three categories - namely, the spiritual potency, the living entities and ignorance. The spiritual potency is full of knowledge; the living entities, although belong to the spiritual potency, are subject to beweilderment; and the third energy, which is full of ignorance, is always visible in fruitive activities. (Visnu Purana 6.7.61)

Those who are most dear to Krsna are His internal energy

8. 21
isvarera sakti haya trividha prakara
eka - laksmigana, pure mahisigana - ara
vraje gopigana ara sabate pradhana
vrajendra-nandana ya'te svayam bhagavan
The energies (consorts) of the Supreme Lord are of three kinds: the Laksmis in Vaikuntha, the queens in Dvaraka, and the gopis in Vrndavana. The gopis are the best of all, for they have the privilege of serving Sri Krsna, the primeval Lord, the son of the King of Vraja. (Caitanya-Caritamrta-Adi 1.79-80)

Sri Radhika is Krsna's most complete energy

8. 22
radha - purna-sakti, krsna - purna-saktiman
dui vastu bheda nai, sastra-paramana
mrgamada, ta-'ra gandha, - yaiche aviccheda
agni, jalate, yaiche kabhu nahi bheda
radha-krsna aiche sada eka-i svarupa
lila-rasa asvadite dhare dui-rupe
Sri Radha is the full energy, and Lord Krsna is the possessor of full power. The two are not different, as evidenced by the revealed scriptures. They are indeed the same, just as musk and its scent are inseparable, or as fire and its heat are nondifferent. Thus Radha and Lord Krsna are one, yet They have taken two forms to enjoy the mellows of pastimes. (Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi 4.96-98)

All the Laksmis are expansions of Sri Radha

8. 23
avatari krsna yaiche kare avatara
amsini radha haite tin ganera vistara
vaibhavagana yena ta-'ra anga-vibhuti
bimba-pratibimba-rupa mahisira tati
laksmigana ta-'ra vaibhava-vilasamsa-rupa
akara-svarupa-bheda vrajadevigana
kaya-vyuharupa ta-'ra rasera karana
Just as Sri Krsna is the fountainhead of all avataras, so Sri Radha is the cause of all the consorts of the Supreme Lord in all his different features. The goddesses of fortune in Vaikuntha are partial manifestations of Sri Radha, and the queens of Dvaraka are reflections of Her image. The goddesses of fortune are Her plenary portions, and they display the forms of vaibhava-vilasa. The queens are of the nature of Her vaibhava-prakasa. (Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi 4.76-78)
Thus ends the Eight Jewel of Gaudiya Kanthahara entitled Shakti-tattva F4 / Dþ 9BA