नादबिन्दुमयं वापि किं चन्द्रार्धनिरोधिकाः। चक्रारूढमनच्कं वा किं वा शक्तिस्वरूपकम्॥ ४॥

नादबिन्दुमयं वापि किं चन्द्रार्धनिरोधिकाः। चक्रारूढमनच्कं वा किं वा शक्तिस्वरूपकम्॥ ४॥

This verse continues the metaphysical inquiry, questioning different forms or manifestations of the divine in the context of sound, energy, and cosmic order. Let’s break it down:

Transliteration and Meaning:

1. नादबिन्दुमयं वापि किं चन्द्रार्धनिरोधिकाः।
   “Nāda-bindumayaṁ vāpi kiṁ candrārdha-nirodhikāḥ.”
   Is it in the form of the bindu of sound (Nāda), or in the form of the moon’s half, which is the symbol of cessation?

   • The speaker wonders if the divine essence is represented by Nāda, the primordial sound or vibration, embodied in the bindu (the point or dot, often symbolizing the beginning or source of creation).
   • Candrārdha-nirodhikāḥ refers to the half-moon, often used in spiritual contexts to symbolize the cessation or control of cyclical processes, pointing to the concept of transcendence and stillness.

2. चक्रारूढमनच्कं वा किं वा शक्तिस्वरूपकम्।
   “Cakrārūḍhamanaccham vā kiṁ vā śakti-svarūpakam.”
   “Or is it seated on the wheel (chakra), in the form of the unchanging (Ananta), or is it the form of the supreme Śakti?”

   • The divine might also be seen as being seated on a chakra, representing the cosmic wheel or energy center. The Ananta refers to the unchanging, eternal nature of the divine.
   • The inquiry then turns to whether the divine essence is Śakti-svarūpakam, the very form of divine power (Śakti), emphasizing the creative, transformative, and sustaining energies that constitute the universe.

Overall Meaning:

“Is the divine essence in the form of the bindu of sound, or in the shape of the half-moon representing cessation? Or is it seated on the cosmic wheel, embodying the unchanging principle, or is it the supreme form of Śakti?”

Philosophical Context:

1. Nāda and Bindu:

   • Nāda represents the primordial sound or vibration, the source of all creation in many spiritual traditions. The bindu is often seen as the point from which the universe emanates, symbolizing unity and the origin of manifestation.

2. Candrārdha (Half-Moon):

   • The half-moon is frequently used as a symbol of the lunar phases and can also symbolize the concept of cessation or control in spiritual practice. It is sometimes linked to the idea of overcoming the cycle of birth and death, pointing toward spiritual transcendence.

3. Chakra and Ananta:

   • The chakra represents the energy centers within the body and the cosmos, each linked to various aspects of life and consciousness.
   • Ananta suggests that the divine is infinite and unchanging, embodying the eternal state beyond time and space.

4. Śakti-Svarūpa:

   • Śakti refers to the divine feminine energy, the creative power that manifests the universe. The essence of the divine might thus be identified with Śakti, emphasizing its dynamic, transformative nature.

Interpretation:

The verse explores different perspectives of the divine: as sound (Nāda), as a symbol of transcendence (Candrārdha), as energy (Chakra), or as the supreme power of creation (Śakti). It invites reflection on the nature of the divine, whether it is static and unchanging (Ananta) or dynamic and transformative (Śakti). This query highlights the multifaceted nature of the divine in the Shaiva tradition, where the formless and the manifest are deeply interconnected.