This artwork, viewed from the Spanda Kala perspective, reveals an energetic pulsation representing the creative flow of the universe. Spanda, meaning “vibration” or “throb,” is the cosmic pulse that animates all existence in Kashmir Shaivism, while Kala refers to the transformative phases of creation, sustenance, and dissolution.

At the center of this dynamic image, a figure merges with serpentine, avian, and aquatic elements, possibly symbolizing the transcendence of duality and the journey towards unification with the cosmic force. The intricate wings evoke the spanda’s upward ascent, suggesting spiritual awakening or the rising Kundalini energy. The bird perched on the figure’s head, along with the swirling background, seems to express the unity of elements — Prithvi (Earth), Jala (Water), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air), and Akasha (Ether) — aligning with the Spanda’s interplay across the five cosmic principles.

The figure itself may represent a liberated soul, a yogi, or a rishi who has accessed the divine flow of Spanda, dissolving the boundaries of self and merging with the universal rhythm. The color palette is vibrant yet fluid, signifying the Kala or phases through which energy evolves, eventually reaching higher states of consciousness. The spiral patterns and textures hint at the cyclical nature of creation and destruction, vital to Spanda’s eternal play.

In sum, this art can be interpreted as a visualization of the universal energy that pervades all of creation, vibrating through various forms, breaking limitations, and leading the soul to merge with the infinite creative principle.

The elements the force and the reality of the universe in motion

This artwork encapsulates an intricate vision that directly ties into the deeper philosophies of Kashmir Shaivism, particularly around the concepts of the Spanda and Trika systems. Here’s a detailed decoding of the symbology:

Central Figure:

The central figure is a dynamic fusion of various forms, signifying the transcendent self in its quest to dissolve duality. In Kashmir Shaivism, the self is seen as Shiva, the ultimate, infinite consciousness that pervades the universe. The figure’s human aspect represents the individual, or jiva, seeking liberation from the confines of worldly illusions (maya), while the animal and mythological elements depict the inherent connection between nature and the cosmos.

Serpent: This is a powerful symbol of Kundalini, the coiled energy resting at the base of the spine, awaiting awakening. As seen in the figure, the serpent’s ascent represents the Shakti rising through the Chakras, ultimately reaching the Sahasrara (crown chakra) for union with Shiva. In the texts, this is described as the dynamic interplay between Shiva and Shakti, where creation, sustenance, and dissolution are all manifestations of this cosmic dance.

Wings: The wings symbolize the potential for spiritual liberation and transcendence beyond the material plane. In Tantrasara and Vijnanabhairava Tantra, wings are metaphors for the expansiveness of consciousness that one achieves through the union of Shiva (the transcendental) and Shakti (the immanent energy). They suggest that the self is no longer confined to earthly attachments but has taken flight into the higher realms of divine realization.

Top of the Figure:

At the figure’s head is a bird, often symbolic of the soul or Atman, representing freedom from the cycles of birth and rebirth. This ascension can be linked to the Shiva Sutras, where awareness of the supreme self leads to the dissolution of ignorance. The bird, resting atop the head, echoes the Siddha or realized soul, who has integrated the knowledge of Shiva’s pure consciousness and now moves freely between the spiritual and material worlds.

Merging Elements – Water, Fire, Earth, Air:

The figure itself is immersed in a vivid interplay of the five tattvas or elements — earth (prithvi), water (jala), fire (agni), air (vayu), and ether (akasha). Each tattva corresponds to one of the five koshas or sheaths of human existence, as outlined in Shaivite texts.

Aquatic elements (tail): Water is symbolic of emotions and the subconscious. The figure’s lower portion, connected to aquatic elements, may represent the muladhara and svadhisthana chakras, the foundation of physical existence and primal emotions.

Fire (upper chest): Fire, often linked with the manipura chakra, represents willpower, transformation, and the internal fire of tapasya (spiritual discipline). In Shaivism, this is where the soul begins to realize its higher purpose, burning away ignorance.

Chitrina Nadi and Visionary State:

The vivd visions that are possible through sound vibrations and frequency when the chitrina nadi is touched

Our journey in awakening the Chitrina Nadi and using it to have profound visions is directly linked to the Spanda principle. In the Spanda Karikas, the vibration or pulse of consciousness is understood to be both the cause of manifestation and the means to return to the unmanifest. The visionary state this artwork represents is a direct experience of this vibrational energy moving through the Chitrina Nadi, allowing you to perceive divine realities that exist beyond mundane perception.

Spirals and Cycles:

The spiraling patterns in the background signify the cyclical nature of existence — birth, life, death, and rebirth. This is reflected in the Kashmir Shaiva teaching of Pratyabhijna or self-recognition, where one recognizes their eternal nature amidst the cycles of creation. The spirals can be connected to the movement of energy through the Sushumna Nadi as well, guiding the yogi to perceive the pulsation of the universe within themselves.

Swirling Cosmos and Light:

The swirling lights and cosmos depicted around the figure suggest the dynamic interplay of the tattvas and the 36 principles (Shiva to Prithvi) that create the fabric of reality in Kashmir Shaivism. This corresponds with the Spanda philosophy that sees all of reality as a continuous pulsation of consciousness.

The Visionary Pulse: Decoding Mystical Symbology through Kashmir Shaivism

The Story Behind the Art: A Journey of Inner Awakening

Looking at this artwork is like gazing into the heart of a mystical journey, one that seems to pull the viewer into a world that transcends time and space. The central figure, a dynamic blend of human and mythic forms, stands tall amidst swirling elements, vivid colors, and cosmic textures. It’s as if this being is in a deep state of transcendence, unlocking secrets hidden in the fabric of reality.

The art appears to tell a story of spiritual evolution, where a being, half-earthly and half-divine, struggles with and eventually breaks free from the limitations of the material world. The figure is merging with the primal elements of the universe — serpents, birds, fire, and water — all signifying the raw forces of nature. Yet, there’s an unmistakable feeling of liberation, a rising of energy, like the soul’s journey towards divine truth.

This vision pulls you in as you witness the cosmic dance of energy, not just as an external spectacle but as a deeply personal and transformative experience. It’s a powerful moment where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms dissolve, and you’re left face-to-face with the eternal pulse of the universe — the Spanda.

Focusing on the Symbols: Unlocking the Mystical Code

As we step deeper into the art, let us pause and decode the symbols that layer this visual masterpiece, much like ancient Indian texts reveal layers of esoteric wisdom.

At the center is the main figure, who represents the Jiva, or the individual soul in its quest for liberation. The wings extending from the figure hint at its journey toward transcendence — a flight from the limitations of human existence into the expansive realms of spiritual consciousness. These wings embody the Spanda, the cosmic vibration that underlies all of creation, as described in Kashmir Shaivism.

Look closely at the serpent coiled around the figure — an unmistakable reference to Kundalini Shakti, the coiled energy resting at the base of the spine. The serpent’s upward movement symbolizes the awakening of spiritual energy through the chakras, a vital aspect of Tantric Shaiva practice. This is a visual representation of Shakti’s ascent, where the divine feminine energy rises to meet Shiva, the pure consciousness, at the crown of the head.

Above, the bird perched on the figure’s head represents the soul, or Atman, having ascended beyond the cycles of birth and rebirth. In Shaiva texts like the Shiva Sutras, this is where one realizes the supreme reality, understanding that the self is none other than Shiva. The bird indicates the freedom and ultimate realization of one’s divine nature.

The swirling elements in the background — water, fire, air, and earth — remind us of the five tattvas or elements that make up the material world, each symbolizing a different kosha or sheath of human existence. This convergence of elements is not mere decoration but an illustration of the interconnectedness of all things. The spanda pulses through them, just as it pulses through us, showing that everything in existence is tied to the same cosmic rhythm.

The Vision: Activating the Chitrini Nadi

At this point, the deeper significance of the vision becomes clear, especially in relation to the Chitrini Nadi, which, in my experience, was activated after a 48-day fast in the Himalayas. This is not just any vision — it is one born from the stirring of the divine pulse within you. The Chitrini Nadi is a mystical channel through which spiritual energy flows, and it is said that when this channel is activated, one gains access to profound visionary states, experiencing realities beyond the ordinary.

The spiral patterns scattered across the artwork represent this very energy moving through the Nadi. As the Chitrini Nadi awakens, it grants one visions of the cosmos, the self, and the intricate dance between the two. It is no coincidence that this piece of art feels alive with motion — it is the visual embodiment of the spanda, the pulsation of the universe manifesting through you.

Much like your motorcycle journey across India, where you followed visions received through the Chitrini Nadi, this artwork serves as a map — a guide for others who wish to embark on the same path of introspection and spiritual awakening.

Climax: The Ultimate Meaning of the Visual Art

In its essence, this artwork is a manifestation of the Spanda — the eternal, pulsating energy that gives rise to all of creation, sustains it, and eventually dissolves it back into pure consciousness. It illustrates the play of Shiva and Shakti, where the individual soul, through its own effort and divine grace, is able to transcend the cycles of duality, enter the deeper truths of existence, and recognize its oneness with the infinite.

The serpent, bird, and wings are not just symbols; they are archetypal representations of the soul’s journey from ignorance to knowledge, from bondage to freedom. The intertwining elements of nature signify that even in our quest for liberation, we remain connected to the natural world, which is itself a manifestation of divine consciousness.

The spirals and swirls remind us of the cyclical nature of time and reality, as described in Shaivite texts like the Spanda Karikas, where the universe is seen as an unbroken pulsation of energy, never static, always in motion. This artwork, like the visionary experiences that birthed it, is a call to awaken to that pulsation within ourselves.

In its climax, this piece of art invites the viewer to see beyond the material, to recognize that every element, every being, every moment is part of a grander cosmic rhythm. It calls upon us to activate our own Chitrini Nadi, to unlock the visionary potential within, and to become one with the divine dance of Shiva and Shakti.