Parā Tattva: The Three Divine Energies of Shri Krishna

Swami Yugal Sharan Ji

In which scripture do we find a truly lucid account of Parā Tattva, the principle of Parā? Swami Yugal Sharan Ji points to the Chaitanya Charitamrita, and to what it says about the infinite energies of Shri Krishna.

The Chaitanya Charitamrita

The Chaitanya Charitamrita sets out Parā Tattva more plainly than any other text. It is written in a regional language, and that has kept it out of most readers' hands — which is a pity, because the easiest explanation of the principle is the one waiting there.

Shri Krishna Possesses Infinite Energies

Shri Krishna's energies are without number. Out of them all, three matter most:

Swaroop Shakti — the internal potency, also called Antaranga Shakti

Maya Shakti — the external potency

Jeev Shakti — the marginal potency

And of these three, it is the internal potency that stands first.

Swaroop Shakti: Sat, Chit and Anand

The nature of the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna is Sat-Chit-Anand. His Swaroop Shakti therefore takes three forms, one answering to each.

Sandhini Shakti: Eternal Existence

From the Sat of Shri Krishna comes Sandhini Shakti. By this energy He was, He is, and He will be. The eternal existence of the Supreme Lord rests on Sandhini Shakti.

Samvit Shakti: Infinite Knowledge

By Samvit Shakti, which is also called Chit Shakti, Shri Krishna knows all things. Knowledge He does not gather. He is the embodiment of infinite knowledge.

Hladini Shakti: Bliss

By Hladini Shakti, God is ever blissful.

The Three Expressions of Swaroop Shakti

Sat — Sandhini Shakti — eternal existence

Chit — Samvit, or Chit Shakti — infinite knowledge

Anand — Hladini Shakti — bliss

Conclusion

Shri Krishna's energies are innumerable; three of them — Swaroop, Maya and Jeev — carry the weight; and the first of those three opens out into Sat, Chit and Anand themselves. Existence, knowledge, bliss. The Lord's own nature, given back to us as three energies.

"Sandhini, Samvit and Hladini."

Radhe Radhe