I remember you saying in one of the talks that Shiva is Prajnya. However in many places Sri Aurobindo mentions Shiva as the Tapas-Force aspect of the divine. How would you integrate these two aspects in Shiva? Please explain Prajnya & Tapas in detail for better understanding. Also how can we relate prajnya and tapas with Shiva’s consort Parvati🤔?

These are two different but interconnected systems. In the image of the Upanishad, Brahman is fourfold, Virat is material existence with Brahma as the Godhead. Hiranyagarbh is the dream world built by Vishnu in his golden sleep. Prajna is the concentrated Superconscient trance of Light and Force, Shiva who releases seeds of creation and draws them into himself.

In the other conception of Sachchidananda, Brahma is Sat or pure or true existence, Vishnu is Chit and Shiva is force, Consciousness as knowledge and Consciousness as force, and Ananda as Krishna.

The Feminine energies are the corresponding powers of these Godheads.

Affectionately,

Alok Da