The Secret Doctrine of Goddess Lalita
(Sri LalitaAṣṭottara Rahasyārthamu)
5. chidēka rasarūpiṇī
She who is of the nature of pure Knowledge.
Some think caitanya śakti implies two separate entities, power and Consciousness. We should not make such a mistake in the context of parāvidyā, the Supreme Knowledge that transcends all duality because It is the One and only substance that IS. It is both caitanya and śakti, Consciousness and Existence, Intelligence and Energy. This mantra conveys this meaning beautifully. The word rasa in this mantra means nature. The word eka means identical nature. Consciousness is the very nature of everything. Therefore, Consciousness is not different from its Power. Even if we hear the two words spoken separately, we must remember that the two are referring to the one substance. It is like saying “a flame of fire.” Both flame and fire refer to the same thing. Similarly, caitanya and śakti refer to the same thing. The flame belongs to the fire. Similarly, power belongs to Consciousness. Power and the One who wields the power are not two separate entities. Hence, in every reference to śakti is an implied reference to śiva. Instead of perceiving forms as sakti, the seeker must contemplate on śakti as the formless Consciousness.