Tantraloka, Vol. 1 with Jayaratha's Commentary

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By saying this, the Emission visarga|Literally 'letting go' or 'outpouring'; in Tantric thought, it is the divine urge of consciousness to manifest the universe consists of the dual brilliance of the manifest and the unmanifest original: "kulākula-ubhaya-chaṭā". It takes the form of a fraction of the letter 'ha' The letter 'ha' represents the totality of the universe; its internal divisions symbolize the subtle stages through which pure consciousness begins to externalize itself and its very nature is the desire to shine forth externally. This Emission is the source from which everything originates. Because of this, the author says: "The Family of the Supreme Nectar" original: 'anuttarāmṛtakulam'.

The Supreme anuttara|The 'unsurpassed' or 'ultimate' reality which has nothing above it; also identifies the first letter 'A' of the Sanskrit alphabet is called so because it is superior to other forms of "nectar" or states of immortality which only last for a limited time. It is superior because:

"Where there is no fear at all, nor old age, nor even diseases;
where there are no obstacles, no death, and where Time does not exert its power."

Because it is not reckoned by Time, it is that state where "death" original: 'mṛta' is non-existent. The "Family" original: 'kula' refers to the "body" or the totality of manifestation. Thus, the phrase means: the nature of the digit known as Amā amā-kalā|The seventeenth, 'stainless' digit of the moon that remains constant and provides nectar to the other sixteen phases; it represents the unchanging aspect of the Divine.

As it has been stated elsewhere:

"That seventeenth digit is the one whose very form is Nectar."

Furthermore, what is meant by "both of them"? The text says: "The Mother and the Father."

What is the nature of the Mother? She is the one who "rests in the stainless digit" original: 'vimalakalāśrayā'. "Stains" original: 'mala' refer to the limiting conditions of the individual soul; the Mother is she from whom these limitations have departed. The "Digit" original: 'kalā' is the power of agency—the ability to act—which is characterized solely by Supreme Awareness. That digit is the "Rest" original: 'āśraya', meaning it is her very foundation and essence. This signifies that she is the Power of Pure Sovereignty svātantrya-śakti|The absolute, independent freedom of God to create, sustain, and withdraw the universe purely by will.

Line 1: The manuscript marked 'ka' reads 'half-form of the letter ha' instead of 'half-of-the-half-form'.

Line 2: The manuscript marked 'ka' reads 'where that is' instead of 'is that where'.