Vijnana Bhairava Tantra PART 25: VERSE 108 – 112

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra VERSE 108: SKILL 85

Detach the mind from all the supports, both external and internal, that it enjoys and make it free of vikalpa-s (diversities). During this state of the mind, Bhairava is realized. Mind gets its afflictions both from external and internal sources. External afflictions are related to objects such as hearing sound, act of seeing, smelling, tasting, etc through the respective organs of perception such as ears, eyes, etc. Organs of perception always cause impressions on the mind making the mind impure and afflicted. As long as the organs of perceptions are active, this process cannot be stopped. These impressions do not simply lie dormant in the mind, but cause confusion leading to the generation of multiple thought processes. Thought processes inturn lead to desires, attachments, imagination and all sorts of dualities such as pleasure and pain and these are known as internal afflictions, as they function from within. The source of all internal afflictions is only the external afflictions. But for the organs of perception, both external and internal afflictions of the mind are not going to be there.

The root cause of both these afflictions being the organs of perception, one should not fall victim to their ploy. The inherent nature of either the organs of perception or the mind cannot be modified, but for one’s willpower to overcome their ploy. By using one’s willpower, one can control the effects of organs of perception on the mind. One can still see, hear, smell and eat; but one should not get addicted to the effects seeing, hearing, smelling, eating and touching. It is only the addiction that causes desires and attachments. This is explained as the support to the mind, which is the cause for vikalpa-s. In a mind that is freed from both external and internal support, it becomes pure and serene, where Śiva can be realized. As long as cerebrations remain in the mind He cannot be realized, as during cerebrations mind is pervaded by dualities.

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra VERSE 109: SKILL 86

Śiva is already present in all the beings and a man can know this Truth (the presence of Śiva within) through his mind. Mind is His gift to mankind and hence it is said that only in human birth, one can attain liberation. A simple, yet efficacious affirmation is adequate enough to realize Him within. His true identity is concealed through the effect of māyā.

This verse uses three of His exclusive qualities. The verse says, “sarvajñaḥ sarvakartā ca vyāpakaḥ parameśvaraḥ सर्वज्ञः सर्वकर्ता च व्यापकः परमेश्वरः” which means Supreme Śiva is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. Though these qualities are naturally present in all the human beings, these qualities are not realized due to the effects of māyā. In order to overcome this delusion that has pervaded the mind as discussed in the previous verse, one has make an affirmation “I am Śiva” (I am That or Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi or Śivoham). A truthful and powerful affirmation is the one which is msde through a pure and un-afflicted mind as discussed in the previous verse. If this affirmation is repeatedly done, one day this affirmation becomes a reality and Bhairava is realized.

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra VERSE 110: SKILL 87

Bhairava says to Bhairavi, “Just like waves arise from water, flames from fire and rays of light from the sun, different aspects of the universe arise from Me.” The entire Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra is in the form of conversation between Śiva and Śakti.

Waves are the inherent quality of water; flames and heat are the inherent quality of fire; and rays of light are inherent in sun. Waves cannot exist independently without water and they are inherent part of water. Similarly, the manifested world cannot exist without Śiva. The source of entire creation is Śiva. But for Him, the manifested universe that is visible to our eyes is not possible. This fact applies to both macrocosmic and microcosmic levels. Macrocosmic level is the objective world and microcosmic level is the human mind. The end result of contemplating this reality in association with the affirmation discussed in the previous verse leads to His realization within.

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra VERSE 111: SKILL 88

When the body is continuously put into strenuous activities, the energy level of the body gets depleted, as a part of natural process, and the body is no longer able to move about and therefore, opts to rest and recoup the spent energy. During this recuperation process, the mind does not think about anything and becomes blank and in that state of the mind, spiritual realization can take place. It is said that when yogis become tired, they resort to this meditation. During this process of recuperation of physical energy, if one makes effort to convert the surging energy into spiritual energy using one’s mind, in that spiritual energy Bhairava can be realized. The emphasis lies on effort of converting the surging energy to spiritual energy, which if done properly leads to the state of trance.

When the body is stressed and tired, the mind also becomes fatigued and thoughtless, which is the right frame of the mind to contemplate Him within.

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra VERSE 112: SKILL 89

This verse is in continuation of the previous verse. Because of the fatigued and thoughtless state of the mind, the mind becomes tranquil. Similarly on account of inability to understand a particular thing in its right perspective, the mind is overpowered by total confusion and as a result of which, the mind ceases to function. When a person is unable to take a decision on a particular matter, he repeatedly thinks about the possible right decision and as a result of which, the mind becomes over worked and ceases to function. It is like blowing up of a fuse. When the mind ceases to function, it becomes lucid and during this state of the mind, if one focuses his entire consciousness, Bhairava is realized.

The central point of Bhairava realization is to fix one’s awareness which is called consciousness. During the active state of the mind, one is conscious of many things that he comes across. This is the state of diversified consciousness. His awareness at this state is diversified on many things and not focused. On the contrary, if one can focus his consciousness on Him, irrespective of his mental state, he will be able to realize Bhairava. Advaita explains this state as sthitaprajñā, the one with a calm and composed mind.

Further Readings:

Vijnana Bhairav Tantra - Part 24

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra - Part 26

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra - Part 27