PÁRVATII, THE YOGINII

In the older days, Párvatii was the symbolic representation of all the spiritual questions of human beings. Párvatii, as a representative of humanity, would ask Sadáshiva all the eternal questions of the human mind. Shiva’s answers to these queries are indeed the lovely jewels of all ages. Párvatii’s queries, too, are so beautiful that hearing them, learned people think, “Indeed, this is also my question.” That is why her questions have been arranged in perfect order, and are collectively known as nigama shástra. This nigama shástra is a collection of spiritual questions of a very high order. Although Shiva’s answers are very illuminating in their brilliant philosophical exposition, their practical value far exceeds their philosophical value. Indeed, Shiva’s philosophical explanations are more illuminating because of their practical value.

In Tantra, the nigama, that is, the collection of Párvatii’s questions, and the ágama, the compilation of Shiva’s answers, have been compared to the two wings of a swan. A bird cannot fly on one wing; similarly, Tantra philosophy, with its nigama and ágama is complete. If one of the aspects is excluded, the inner essence of Tantra is jeopardized.