Svātantrya (from the Sanskrit sva meaning self and tantram meaning dependence[1] – 'self-dependency', or 'free will') is the Kashmiri Shaivite concept of divine sovereignty. Svātantrya is described as an energy that emanates from the Supreme (Paramaśiva),[2] a wave of motion inside consciousness (spanda) that acts as the fundament of the world,[3] or in another view, the original word (logos, pārāvak).[4] It does not use any external instrument[5] as it itself is the first stage of creation.
In antithesis with the Vedantic concept of Brahman, which is a mere conscious witness without effective power, being inflicted by the illusory power (or maya of the Brahman), in the Kashmiri Shaivite viewpoint creation is actively willed into existence by the supreme consciousness (Śiva) by the means of his irresistible will-force (Svātantrya).[1] This is an important aspect of the Pratyabhijna school of Kashmir Shaivism.
Svātantrya is a concept that goes to the root of many spiritual matters in Kashmir Shaivism,[6] like, the divine sovereignty of Śiva (God),[7] consciousness (caitanya), creative power (vimarśa), mantric efficiency and Kundalini.