Dusseldorf/Chapters/5-spanda.rtf, cr 26 nov 2004

5. Spanda, 800 CE

The Axial Age in India is represented by the older Upanishads, central
to Vedanta and Yoga schools of ancient Sanskrit philosophy. In the middle ages, many schools diverged. One of these, Kashmiri Shaivism, developed a doctrine of vibration, in the basic texts: Siva Sutras, and Spanda Karikas.

Spanda means "some sort of movement". (Singh, 1980; p. xvi) The text of the Spanda Karikas suggests a sophisticated field concept applied to consciousness. From the Sanskrit dictionary: Throbing, trembling, oscillation, vibration, or pulsation.

Refs

Dyczkowski, Mark S. G., The Stanzas on Vibration: The Spandakarika with Four Commentaries. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 1992.

Singh, Jaideva, Spanda-Karikas: The Divine Creative Pulsation. Delhi: Motilal Benarsidass, 1980.