Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra

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Hoe verschilt ons leven van God? Hoe vinden we 
de ultieme werkelijkheid in alledaagse dingen? 

Hoe kunnen oude Indiase meditatietechnieken ons terug brengen naar de essentie? 

Kees Voorhoeve over de de Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra.

Interview Marleen Schefferlie  


Introductory verses 

The goddess said: O God, I have heard completely the essence of the Trika school that has originated from the Rudrayāmala (Tantra). (But although I have heard) the essence of its esssence, part by part , even now, O Supreme Lord, my doubt has not ceased. 

O God, what, in actual fact, is (Bhairava’s) form (rūpa)? (Does) it consist of the energies of the Aggregate of (phonemic) Sounds? Or else is it within Bhairava’s fearsome form as the (Mantra) Navātman? Or is it differentiated into the three-headed (god)? Or is it the three energies? 

Is it made of Sound (nāda) and the Point (bindu)? Is it the Half Moon (ardhacandra) and the Obstructress (nirodhikā)? Or is it Unstruck Sound, the nature of which is śakti, mounted on the Wheel (of Mantra)? 

Or is it the (differentiated form) of Parāparā with parts (salaka) and, again, of Parā? If Parā were to be like that, it would be incompatible with her supremity. 

The supreme state cannot be differentiated into the phonemes (of mantras) by a bodily form; (essentially) undifferentiated by nature, it cannot be made of parts. O Lord, be gracious and dispel my doubts entirely. 

The venerable Bhairava said: 

Well done! Well done! O dear one, you have asked about this, the essence of the Tantras. O auspicious one! this (knowledge) should be kept most secret, but even so I will tell it to you. 

O Goddess, whatever is said to be Bhairava’s differentiated (sakala) form, it has no essence and so should be known (to be deceptive) like Indra’s magic. It is like the dream of Māyā, the mistaken belief in the (non-existent) city of Gandharvas (in the sky). 

The description of (this form of Bhairava) is given to those people whose mind is confused, those who are engaged in (worldly) activities and immersed in (worldly) thoughts so (they may) meditate (on Him).