Apara-shakti

Apara-shakti

अपरा-शक्ति, aparā-śakti

In the Nathas’ view, Apara-Shakti is one of the levels of disclosure of the Universe, following Para-Shakti. Apara-shakti arises due to spanda, the internal movement or vibration of Shiva’s creative Will.

In “Siddha-siddhanta_paddhati” (1.7) it is said:

tasya spandana-mātreṇa aparā-śaktirūtthitā
Through His pulsation, Apara Shakti arises.

Its dynamic aspect is filled with inspiration and desire to reveal the infinite richness of its nature in various forms, connected by spatio-temporal relationships. Apara-shakti characterizes inner activity, but not actual changes. This Power is not separated from its transcendent Self and Lord Shiva. Apara-shakti corresponds to such a manifestation of the eternal cosmic body of the Absolute as Adya-pinda. The yogi attains this level in the state of turyatita.

In Kashmir Shaivism, Apara-shakti is one of the three forces of the universe (the other two are Para- and Parapara-shakti). Characterizes the levels of creation and perception associated with duality and difference (bheda). The level of Apara corresponds to rough, limited experience. Among the levels of speech, Apara-shakti is expressed through vaikhari vac (audible, spoken speech).