In honor of Gaṇeśa Caturthī, Tripurā Tallikā is pleased to offer our latest contribution to the international Śrīvidyā community: "Hymns from the Śāmbhavodaya" by Brian Campbell. This new publication features an analysis of the Śāmbhavodaya, an introduction to the history of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition, and two important hymns from the tradition devotionally entitled, the Kuṇḍalīśastava and Carupañcaśloka.
The Śāmbhavodaya was composed by none other than South India's foundational Śrīvidyā commentator, Śrī Śivānandamuni (fl. c. 1225-1275), author of the famed Ṛjuvimarśinī commentary on the Nityāṣoḍaśikārṇava Tantra, the Saubhāgyahṛdayastotra, and several other important works in the Śrīvidyā tradition. Previously thought lost by the very few scholars who were aware of its name, Śivānanda's Śāmbhavodaya is a critical window into the history of Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava, Śrīvidyā, and Kaula tantra in South India.
As previously explored in our publications of the Pañcaślokaja Paraguhya Stotra and the Saṃvinmarīcicakra Stotra, the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition focuses on the worship of Śambhu Navātman and Kubjikā. Intimately related to the early history of Śrīvidyā in South India, the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition was practiced by several of Śrīvidyā's important gurus and commentators including Śivānandamuni, Vidyānanda, Amṛtānanda, Umākānta, Maheśvaratejānandanātha, and Śāmbhavānandanātha, amongst others.
In addition to illuminating previously unknown aspects of the early history of Śrīvidyā, the Śāmbhavodaya also confirms Kubjikā's presence in South India as a major goddess, rather than simply a "Samaya Vidyeśvarī" of the Śrīvidyā tradition. Kubjikā's role in Śrīvidyā has been something of an "open secret," as she has been quietly venerated in Śrīcakra Pūjā for at least 800 years, if not longer. The Śāmbhavodaya reveals that Kubjikā was also worshiped in South India with extensive visualizations, mantras, maṇḍalas, and procedures in a vibrant Kaula lineage that flourished in conjunction with Śrīvidyā. In many ways, the Śāmbhavodaya helps to rewrite the early history of Śrīvidyā in South India.
May Śrī Mahāgaṇapati remove obstacles and bless new beginnings in the form of increased understanding and experience of the vibrant tradition of Śrīvidyā, and Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava, with this humble offering to the Goddess, the Gurumaṇḍala, and the community of practitioners and devotees. May it be auspicious.
