१५

Verse 1] First Chapter

By stating in this way his own suitability for the unexcelled state of non-dual knowledge original: 'niruttara-padādvaya-jñāna', the author indicates his authority adhikāra|the traditional qualification or right to compose or study a sacred text to compose this work, which is a compendium of the essence of all the Trika scriptures ṣaḍardha-śāstra|literally 'the six-and-a-half scriptures,' a technical name for the Trika school of Shaivism. Even though other interpretations are possible here, they have not been provided for fear of making the text too bulky and because they are not useful for the current subject. The incorrectness of certain other interpretations, although very likely, has not been exposed. For indeed:

"...and one should not perform the cause 2 for that."

This refers to the state to be described later, which suggests a seed of criticism 3 toward the Great Teachers referring to Abhinavagupta’s lineage in one's own self, which would bring about a violation of the spiritual tradition samayalopa|a breach of the sacred bonds or vows that maintain a lineage.—

2 The "cause" means an objection or criticism.
3 "Bringing about a violation of the spiritual tradition" means producing a fall from proper conduct. Regarding the "seed of criticism for the Great Teachers," certain individuals of limited understanding original: 'mandadhiyaḥ' argue the following: "Pure Digit" original: 'vimalakalā' refers to the sixteenth lunar digit from which all stains of impurity have departed—namely, the New Moon amāvāsyā|the night of the new moon, often considered a time of great occult power. This is the "New Creation" original: 'abhinava-sṛṣṭi', which is the creation of the fifteen lunar digits; at that time, she the Goddess/Mother is engaged in effort and her body is thus filled. Regarding "hiding the brilliance of the five faces": assuming a day consists of five watches and the night of three, the "five faces" refer to the day, in which his brilliance is hidden—meaning his desire is seen at the beginning of the New Moon day.

This is called a "seed of criticism" because it is based on the perspective of the skeptical science of astrology, rather than from the Unexcelled perspective anuttara-dṛṣṭi|the highest non-dual realization where such distinctions are transcended. In that higher state, since the beginnings of the New Moon day must be protected/honored, this is actually righteous conduct. In this matter, only the "true-hearted" sahṛdaya|a person of refined aesthetic and spiritual sensitivity are the authority.

Line 8: In the manuscript marked 'kha', there is an additional word: "the cause of that itself."