--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Starting from the source of vibrant…" description: "\"“Starting from the source of vibrant Consciousness, the first two tattvas of Shaivism are (1) Shiva tattva and (2) Shakti tattva. It is important to un..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/balajinnatha-pandita-24889_kashmir-shaivism_starting-from-the-source-of-vibrant-cons_2414751.jpg" --- # Starting from the source of vibrant Consciousness, the… ![“Starting from the source of vibrant Consciousness, the first two tattvas of Shaivism are (1) Shiva tattva and (2) Shakti tattva. It is important to understand at the beginning that these two tattvas are only linguistic conventions and are not actually part of creation. According to the deep yogic…” quote by Balajinnatha Pandita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/balajinnatha-pandita-24889_kashmir-shaivism_starting-from-the-source-of-vibrant-cons_2414751.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/balajinnatha-pandita-24889_kashmir-shaivism_starting-from-the-source-of-vibrant-cons_2414751.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/balajinnatha-pandita-24889_kashmir-shaivism_starting-from-the-source-of-vibrant-cons_2414751.jpg) > ““Starting from the source of vibrant Consciousness, the first two tattvas of Shaivism are (1) Shiva tattva and (2) Shakti tattva. It is important to understand at the beginning that these two tattvas are only linguistic conventions and are not actually part of creation. According to the deep yogic experience of the sages of this philosophy, there is no difference between Shiva tattva and Shakti tattva. They are both actually one with Paramasiva. They are considered to be two tattvas only for the convenience of philosophical thinking and as a way of clarifying the two aspects of the one absolute reality, Paramasiva. These two aspects are Shiva, the transcendental unity, and Shakti, the universal diversity. The changeless, absolute and pure consciousness is Shiva, while the natural tendency of Shiva towards the outward manifestation of the five divine activities is Shakti. So, even though Shiva is Shakti, and Shakti is Shiva, and even though both are merely aspects of the same reality called Paramasiva, still, these concepts of Shiva-hood and Shakti-hood are counted as the first two tattvas. These two tattvas are at the plane of absolute purity and perfect unity. — B. N. Pandit, Specific Principles of Kashmir Shaivism (3rd ed., 2008), p. 73.”” [Balajinnatha Pandita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balajinnatha-pandita/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The first two tattvas, Shiva and Shakti, are conceptual tools describing the same ultimate reality, Paramasiva, illustrating unity and diversity within pure consciousness. **In simple terms:** Shiva and Shakti are two ways to speak about one ultimate reality. Key Takeaway Recognize unity behind apparent dualities. Themes philosophy spirituality nondualism Mood contemplative reverent Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - meditation practice - theological study - personal contemplation - teaching - null Key Concepts Advaita Kashmir Shaivism metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - How do you experience unity in diversity? - Can conceptual distinctions aid spiritual insight? A Different Perspective The concepts may be misinterpreted as literal entities, leading to doctrinal confusion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness Tattvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness-tattvas-6091818/) [Considered Tattvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/considered-tattvas-6091823/) [Kashmir-shaivism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kashmir-shaivism/) [Paramashiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paramashiva-139970/) [Philosophical thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical-thinking-143955/) [Shakti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakti/) [Shakti Tattva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakti-tattva-6091820/) [Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shiva/) [Shiva Tattva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shiva-tattva-6091819/) [Tattva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tattva-183513/) [Tattva Shakti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tattva-shakti-6091821/) ## Related quotes > [“It is important to understand that, according to Kashmir Shaivism, this analysis of all phenomena into thirty six tattvas is not an absolute truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balajinnatha-pandita/it-is-important-to-understand-that-according-to-kashmir-shaivism-this/) [Balajinnatha Pandita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balajinnatha-pandita/) ## More by Balajinnatha Pandita > [“Since all people, regardless of categories, are Shiva Himself appearing in that form, all gods, supergods, masters of higher worlds (bhuvanas), purer beings in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balajinnatha-pandita/since-all-people-regardless-of-categories-are-shiva-himself-appearing/) [Balajinnatha Pandita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balajinnatha-pandita/) > [“The ancient sages of Kashmir Shaivism did not look for the truth only in logic and intellectual speculation. 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It is important to understand at the beginning that these two tattvas are only linguistic conventions and are not actually part of creation. According to the deep yogic experience of the sages of this philosophy, there is no difference between Shiva tattva and Shakti tattva. They are both actually one with Paramasiva. They are considered to be two tattvas only for the convenience of philosophical thinking and as a way of clarifying the two aspects of the one absolute reality, Paramasiva. These two aspects are Shiva, the transcendental unity, and Shakti, the universal diversity. The changeless, absolute and pure consciousness is Shiva, while the natural tendency of Shiva towards the outward manifestation of the five divine activities is Shakti. So, even though Shiva is Shakti, and Shakti is Shiva, and even though both are merely aspects of the same reality called Paramasiva, still, these concepts of Shiva-hood and Shakti-hood are counted as the first two tattvas. 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