5 Kala in Shaiva Tantra

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This article is an expansion from the writeup on Tattvas in Shaivism. You will not understand this article without reading the mentioned article.

All the tattva-s in Shaivism come from the five kalā-s, which represent different states of consciousness and planes of existence.

The five kalā-s:

1. Śāntyatīta-kalā
2. Śānti-kalā
3. Vidyā-kalā
4. Pratiṣṭhā-kalā
5. Nivṛtti-kalā

1. Śāntyatīta-kalā

Śānti-tīta – this means "the state beyond peace." This is the uncomprehensible state. It represents the state of pure consciousness (Śiva) and its expression as Śakti. Only the pure tattva-s (Śiva and Śakti-tattva-s) come under Śāntyatīta-kalā. When performing nyāsa, we touch the head or the topmost part of the Śivaliṅga to consecrate the Śāntyatīta-kalā onto the deity. This plane corresponds with the state of enlightenment.

2. Śānti-kalā

Śānti means "peace." This kalā consists of the Īśvara, Sadāśiva, and Śuddhavidyā tattva-s. While Śāntyatīta-kalā is the expression of the pure Śiva and Śakti states, Śānti-kalā involves the expression of these pure states into particular roles, as Īśvara, Sadāśiva, and Śuddhavidyā. When performing nyāsa, we consecrate the Śānti-kalā on the face of the deity.

3. Vidyā-kalā

This kalā consists of the Māyā-tattva and Puruṣa-tattva. This kalā exists in the plane of creation, where pure consciousness, as Ātman or the individualized soul, is veiled by illusion (māyā). It is influenced by time, personality, desire, destiny, and limited knowledge—that is, in the form of a person. Most people perceive 'peace' as the ultimate plateau of spiritual advancement due to the humanly frame they are associated with. However, the state beyond peace can only be perceived when the illusion of Māyā and Puruṣa-tattva-s is annihilated. When performing nyāsa, we consecrate the Vidyā-kalā onto the chest of the deity.

4. Pratiṣṭhā-kalā

This kalā holds all the remaining tattva-s except the last Pṛthvī-tattva. When performing nyāsa, we consecrate the Pratiṣṭhā-kalā on the nābhi (navel) of the deity.

5. Nivṛtti-kalā

Nivṛtti means "cessation." This is the lowest kalā, containing only one tattva—Pṛthvī-tattva (Earth element). All the kalā-s represent the condensation of the imperceptible absolute reality (atattva – beyond tattva-s) into progressively grosser states. The Earth element (Pṛthvī) is the grossest of all, and no further condensation can occur beyond this. We consecrate this kalā on the feet of the deity.