Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 3

Where is the truth?

Kim Va Navathmabhedena

Bhairave Bhairavakritau

Trishirobheda bhinnam va

Kim va Shakthitrayathmakam

*****

How can your reality be perceived? Parvathy asks Shiva if it can be known through the nine states of consciousness which include time, energy, name, knowledge, memory, sound, seed, wave or the individual soul or the nine forms of energy which include the energy of action, the energy of tranquility and space, the transcendent energy.

Or is it through knowing the three forms of energy flow in the body called the Ida - feminine, Pingala - masculine and Sushumna - the tranquil neutral force.

The whole existence and the individual can be described in just one way. There is pure consciousness to begin with, everywhere and passing through everything and which is beyond understanding by the mind. From the pure consciousness emerges the flow of thoughts, which is the energy of the mind. That creates the Universe at large and governs the functioning of each individual.

The questions raised by Parvathy does not mean that she is not aware of what the superconscious state of being is and she wants to know about it. It is like a drama in this context, where all the actors know the whole story. Yet they act out their part to keep the suspense alive for the audience. Deeper and deeper questioning can help to increase the clarity of understanding, at the end of which the truth reveals itself effortlessly.

(May visit for Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali Yoga Sutra- Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 2

Restless until the truth is experienced

Adyapi Na Nivruttome Samshayah Parameshwara

Kim Rupam Tahthwato Deva Shabdharashi Kalamayam

*****

Even after hearing everything, my doubts are not dispelled. What is your real form, oh Divine one? Are you the energy contained in the sounds of all the letters?

Akshara is the letter which contains the energy. Sound is the first manifestation of energy in the field of consciousness. Parvathy's doubts about the true form of the essential truth is not cleared. Unless the experience of truth happens directly, the mind is never sure and does not rest, calm down or stop its search. Despite having an understanding in terms of knowledge, Parvathy's question canards to Shiva continue, on the name and form of the ultimate truth. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

The Vignana Bhairava Tantra

Liberation through Expansion

Tantra is the most misunderstood word today. What is believed to be some gimmicks performed in the name of black magic or witchcraft etc. is actually another word for Yoga, through expanding and liberating the mind. Tanotu - Trayate. What protects by expanding is called Tantra. It is a tool or a technique. Just as we say Chanakya Tantra, for the art of administration, Tantra is the art of meditation.

A post that happened by chance on this blog, instead of on Aham, sparked this idea of continuing to write on the Vignana Bharava Tantra. It is the science of Yoga that encompasses life around. It is the yoga that helps you to tune in to the day-to-day sights and sounds. It does not expect any solitary confinement to practice meditation, but shows the way for a life of meditation now and here - as you see the sky, the earth, the mountains and rivers, as you experience the different moments of joy and sorrow.

Shri Devyucacha:

Shrutham Deva Maya Sarvam Rudrayamala Sambhavam

Trika Bhedamasheshena Sarathsara Vibhagashaha.

*****

This whole exposition of the Tantra is written in the form of a conversation between Shiva and his wife, Parvathy. Just as Arjuna poses questions to Sri Krishna, Parvathy quizzes Shiva, the Master of Yoga, on all that she needs to know about the mind and consciousness.

She says that she has now listened to everything that has emerged from the Rudrayamala Tantra, the three divisions of energy as Iccha Shakthi - the energy of desire, Kriya Shakthi - the energy of application into action and Jnana Shakthi - the energy of knowledge. Also, she has learnt about the divisions of the several layers between matter and consciousness.

There is knowledge of meditation from the books we read and the talks we hear. But the knowledge needs the grace of the Guru to be assimilated into a personal experience. The Vignana Bhairava Tantra is the result of a similar experience with knowledge and the different ways of assimilating it. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(You may wish to visit Bamboo Wisdom for a verse by verse commentary on the Bhagavad Gita and Aham for a series on the Patanjali Yoga Sutra.)