Muni's Play5. Bhairavi
The Exposition of Bhairavi
Sutra 1
Devanagari
भैरवीं व्याख्यास्यामः ।। 1।।
Transliteration
- Bhairavīṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ.
Translation
Now, we shall explain Bhairavi.
Sutra 2
Devanagari
पञ्चमी सा दशसु महाविद्यासु ।। 2।।
Transliteration
- Pañcamī sā daśasu mahāvidyāsu.
Translation
She is the fifth among the ten Mahavidyas.
Sutra 3
Devanagari
भैरव्येव त्रिपुरभैरवी ।। 3।।
Transliteration
- Bhairavyeva tripurabhairavī.
Translation
Bhairavi herself is Tripura Bhairavi.
Sutra 4
Devanagari
व्यक्तं तेजो भैरवी ।। 4।।
Transliteration
- Vyaktaṃ tejo bhairavī.
Translation
Bhairavi is the manifested Light (Tejas).
Sutra 5
Devanagari
तेजस्तत्त्वस्यैक्येऽपि व्यक्तत्वाव्यक्तत्वाभ्यां भैरवीकालिकयोर्भेदः ।। 5।।
Transliteration
- Tejastattvasyaikye’pi vyaktatvāvyaktatvābhyāṃ bhairavīkālikayor-bhedaḥ.
Translation
Even though the principle of Light (Tejas-tattva) is one, the distinction between Bhairavi and Kali arises from the states of being manifested and unmanifested.
Sutra 6
Devanagari
अग्नाय्यधिदैवतं ।। 6।।
Transliteration
- Agnāyyadhidaivatam.
Translation
Agni (Fire) is the presiding deity.
Sutra 7
Devanagari
तेजसः पृथिव्यन्तरिक्षद्युस्थानत्वादस्यास्त्रिपुरात्वम् ।। 7।।
Transliteration
- Tejasas-pṛthivyan-tarikṣadyusthānatvād-asyāstripurātvaṃ.
Translation
Because her Light exists in the three realms—Earth, Mid-air (Atmosphere), and Heaven—she is called Tripura.
Sutra 8
Devanagari
वागिन्द्रियमध्यात्मम् ।। 8।।
Transliteration
- Vāgindriyam-adhyātmam.
Translation
In the microcosm (Adhyatma), she is the organ of speech (Vak).
Sutra 9
Devanagari
ताराभैरव्योरभेदापत्तिरिति चेत् ।। 9।।
Transliteration
- Tārābhairavyor-abhedāpattir-iti cet.
Translation
If it is argued that this leads to a lack of distinction between Tara and Bhairavi:
Sutra 10
Devanagari
इन्द्रियतन्मात्राभेदाद्भेदः ।। 10।।
Transliteration
- Indriyatanmātrā-bhedādbhedaḥ.
Translation
[We reply:] The distinction arises from the difference between the sense organ and the subtle element (Tanmatra).
Sutra 11
Devanagari
इन्द्रियस्य तैजसत्वे तन्मात्रस्यापि तैजसत्वापत्तिरिति चेत् ।। 11।।
Transliteration
- Indriyasya taijasatve tanmātrasyāpi taijasatvāpattir-iti cet.
Translation
If it is argued that if the sense organ is of the nature of Light, then the subtle element must also be of the nature of Light:
Sutra 12
Devanagari
नानिष्टम् ।। 12।।
Transliteration
- Nāniṣṭam.
Translation
That is not undesirable (it is accepted).
Sutra 13
Devanagari
प्रणवस्यापि तेजोमयत्वात् ।। 13।।
Transliteration
- Praṇavasyāpi tejomayatvāt.
Translation
For even the Pranava (Om) is composed of Light.
Sutra 14
Devanagari
कालीतारयोरभेदापत्तिरिति चेत् ।। 14।।
Transliteration
- Kālītārāyor-abhedāpattir-iti cet.
Translation
If it is argued that this leads to a lack of distinction between Kali and Tara:
Sutra 15
Devanagari
नानिष्टम् ।। 15।।
Transliteration
- Nāniṣṭam.
Translation
That is not undesirable.
Sutra 16
Devanagari
पाचकत्वस्वरत्वविशेषाभ्यां विद्याभेदः ।। 16।।
Transliteration
- Pācakatvasvaratvaviśeṣābhyāṃ vidyābhedaḥ.
Translation
The difference in the Vidyas (mantras/wisdom-forms) arises from the specific qualities of digestion/transformation (Pachaka) and sound/vibration (Svara).
Sutra 17
Devanagari
तत्र देवताभेदानुपपत्तिरिति चेत् ।। 17।।
Transliteration
- Tatra devatābhedānupapattir-iti cet.
Translation
If it is argued that the distinction between the deities is then untenable:
Sutra 18
Devanagari
एकैव घोरत्वसौम्यत्वावस्थाभ्यां द्विरूपा माहाभाग्यादित्यविरोधः ।। 18।।
Transliteration
- Ekaiva ghoratvasaumyatvāvasthābhyāṃ dvirūpā māhābhāgyād-ityavirodhaḥ.
Translation
[We reply:] There is no contradiction; because of Her great glory, the one Goddess takes two forms through the states of ferocity (Ghoratva) and gentleness (Saumyatva).
Ritual and Mantra
Sutra 19
Devanagari
ब्रह्मवर्चसकामो भैरवीमुपासीत ।। 19।।
Transliteration
- Brahmavarcasakāmo bhairavīmupāsīta.
Translation
One who desires Brahman-splendor (Brahmavarchas) should worship Bhairavi.
Sutra 20
Devanagari
विद्याकामो वा ।। 20।।
Transliteration
- Vidyākāmo vā.
Translation
Or one who desires knowledge (Vidya).
Sutra 21
Devanagari
त्रिकूट्या तान्त्रिक्या विद्यया ।। 21।।
Transliteration
- Trikūṭyā tāntrikyā vidyayā.
Translation
[She is worshipped] through the Three-peaked (Trikuta) Tantric Vidya.
Sutra 22
Devanagari
खभृग्वग्निवाग्भिर्युक्ताभिरादिमं कूटम् ।। 22।।
Transliteration
- Kha-bhrugvagnivāgbhir-yuktābhirā-dimaṃ kūṭam.
Translation
The first peak (Kūṭam) is formed by joining Kha (ha), Bhrigu (sa), Agni (ra), and Vāk (ī). ह + स + र + ई + म् = ह्स्रीं (Hsrīm)
Sutra 23
Devanagari
खभृगुकामाग्ग्निभिर्युक्तैर्द्वितीयम् ।। 23।।
Transliteration
- Kha-bhrugu-kāmāgnibhir-yuktair-dvitīyam.
Translation
The second is composed of Kha (ha) and Bhrigu (sa) joined with Kama (ka) and Agni (ra). ह + स + क + र + ई + म् = हस्क्रीं (Hskrīm).
Sutra 24
Devanagari
खभृगुवह्निचतुर्दशसर्गैर्युक्तैस्ततीयम् ।। 24।।
Transliteration
- Kha-bhrugu-vahni-caturdaśasargair-yuktaistatīyam.
Translation
The third peak is formed by joining Kha, Bhrigu, Vahni, and the fourteenth vowel with the Visarga. ह + स + र + औ + ः = हस्रौः (Hsrauḥ).
Sutra 25
Devanagari
सुन्दर्याः खण्डनामभिर्भैरव्याः कूटनामानि व्याख्यातानि ।। 25।।
Transliteration
- Sundaryāḥ khaṇḍanāmabhir-bhairavyāḥ kūṭanāmāni vyākhyātāni.
Translation
The names of the peaks of Bhairavi are explained by the names of the divisions of Sundari (Lalita).
Sutra 26
Devanagari
ऋष्यादि सुन्दरीवत् ।। 26।।
Transliteration
- Ṛśyādi sundarīvat.
Translation
The lineage of Seers (Rishi) etc., is like that of Sundari.
Sutra 27
Devanagari
मूलाधारे मुण्डमालिनीं ध्यायेदिति विशेषः ।। 27।।
Transliteration
- Mūlādhāre muṇḍamālinīṃ dhyāyediti viśeṣaḥ.
Translation
The specific instruction is to meditate on the Munda-malini (the Goddess wearing a garland of skulls) in the Muladhara chakra.
Sutra 28
Devanagari
तद्धिस्थानं वागिन्द्रियस्य तेजोमयाणोः ।। 28।।
Transliteration
- Taddhisthānaṃ vāgindriyasya tejomayāṇoḥ.
Translation
For that is the seat of the organ of speech, which is an atom of Light.
External and Internal Worship
Sutra 29
Devanagari
होमोऽस्या उपासनं बाह्यम् ।। 29।।
Transliteration
- Homo’syā upāsanaṃ bāhyam.
Translation
External worship of Her is the Homa (fire sacrifice).
Sutra 30
Devanagari
तत्र सर्वे यज्ञाः प्रतितिष्ठन्ति ।। 30।।
Transliteration
- Tatra sarve yajñāḥ pratitiṣṭhanti.
Translation
In that, all sacrifices are established.
Sutra 31
Devanagari
अस्या एव देवगणतृप्तिदं नाम स्वाहेति ।। 31।।
Transliteration
- Asyā eva devagaṇatruptidaṃ nāma svāheti.
Translation
The satiation of the gods (Deva-tarpana) is through Her name “Svaha.”
Sutra 32
Devanagari
पितृगणतृप्तिदं स्वधेति ।। 32।।
Transliteration
- Pitṛgaṇatruptidaṃ svadheti.
Translation
The satiation of the ancestors (Pitri) is through “Svadha.”
Sutra 33
Devanagari
वेद्यग्निसु स्थानेषु भासुरत्वाद्वाऽस्यास्त्रिपुरात्वम् ।। 33।।
Transliteration
- Vedya-gnisu sthāneṣu bhāsuratvādvā’syāstripurātvaṃ.
Translation
She is called Tripura because of Her brilliance in the three locations of the sacrificial fire-altars.
Sutra 34
Devanagari
‘‘जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोममरातीयतो नि दहाति वेदः । स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरिताऽत्यग्निः ।। ’’ इति मारीचेन कश्यपेन दृष्ट्या वैदिक्या त्रिष्टुभा विद्यया वा ।। 34।।
Transliteration
- ‘‘Jātavedase sunavāma somamarātīyato ni dahāti vedaḥ। sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā nāveva sindhuṃ duritā’tyagniḥ।।’’ iti mārīcena kaśyapena dṛṣṭyā vaidikyā triṣṭubhā vidyayā vā.
Translation
Or [she is worshipped] through the Vedic Trishubh mantra seen by Kashyapa (son of Marichi): “Jatavedase sunavama somam…” (the Durga Suktam verse).
Sutra 35
Devanagari
तत्र देवताऽग्निर्नाग्नायीति चेत् ।। 35।।
Transliteration
- Tatra devatā’gnināgnāyīti cet.
Translation
If it is argued: ‘In that (mantra), the deity is Agni (Fire), not Agnāyī (the female power of Fire).’
Sutra 36
Devanagari
शक्तिशक्तिमतोरभेदादनया वृद्धाः शक्तिमुपासते ।। 36।।
Transliteration
- Śaktiśaktimator-abhedādanayā vṛddhāḥ śaktimupāsate.
Translation
[We reply:] Because the Power and the Possessor of Power are non-different, the wise worship the Power (Shakti) through this [mantra].
Bhairavi as Chandi
Sutra 37
Devanagari
भैरव्येव तन्त्रान्तरभाषया चण्डी ।। 37।।
Transliteration
- Bhairavyeva tantrāntarabhāṣayā caṇḍī.
Translation
In the language of other Tantras, Bhairavi is Chandi.
Sutra 38
Devanagari
भैरवी चण्डीत्येकार्थौ हि शब्दौ ।। 38।।
Transliteration
- Bhairavī caṇḍītyekārthau hi śabdau.
Translation
Indeed, the words Bhairavi and Chandi have the same meaning.
Sutra 39
Devanagari
भैरव्यां तत्त्वे व्यापकेऽपि देवता पृथिवीस्थाना गृह्यते ।। 39।।
Transliteration
- Bhairavyāṃ tattve vyāpake’pi devatā pṛthivīsthānā gṛhyate.
Translation
While the Bhairavi-principle is all-pervading, the deity is grasped as residing on Earth.
Sutra 40
Devanagari
चण्ड्यां स्थानत्रयस्था अपीति विशेषः ।। 40।।
Transliteration
- Caṇḍyāṃ sthānatrayasthā apīti viśeṣaḥ.
Translation
The distinction is that in Chandi, she resides in all three locations.
Sutra 41
Devanagari
पृथिवीस्थाना त्रिगुणा नामष्टा महालक्ष्मीश्चण्डीकल्पे ।। 41।।
Transliteration
- Pṛthivīsthānā triguṇā nāmaṣṭā mahālakṣmīś-caṇḍīkalpe.
Translation
In the Chandi-tradition (Chandi-Kalpa), she is Mahalakshmi, of three gunas, residing on Earth.
Sutra 42
Devanagari
अन्तरिक्षस्थाना तामसी नाम्ना महाकाली ।। 42।।
Transliteration
- Antarikṣasthānā tāmasī nāmnā mahākālī.
Translation
As Mahakali, she is of the nature of Tamas, residing in the Mid-air.
Sutra 43
Devanagari
द्युस्थाना सात्त्विकी महासरस्वती ।। 43।।
Transliteration
- Dyusthānā sāttvikī mahāsarasvatī.
Translation
As Mahasarasvati, she is of the nature of Sattva, residing in Heaven.
Sutra 44
Devanagari
समष्टिदृष्ट्या वैष्णवीशक्तिरियम् ।। 44।।
Transliteration
- Samaṣṭidṛṣṭyā vaiṣṇavīśaktir-iyam.
Translation
In the collective sense, she is this Vaishnavi-Shakti.
Sutra 45
Devanagari
त्रिस्थानस्य तेजसो ह्येकं नाम विष्णुः ।। 45।।
Transliteration
- Tristhānasya tejaso hyekaṃ nāma viṣṇuḥ.
Translation
For the Light (Tejas) of the three realms, the one name is indeed Vishnu.
Sutra 46
Devanagari
अग्निविद्युत्सूर्यात्मना त्रिषु स्थानेषु तस्य विक्रमणानि ।। 46।।
Transliteration
- Agnividyut-sūryātmanā triṣu sthāneṣu tasya vikramaṇāni.
Translation
His strides take place in the three realms in the forms of Fire (Agni), Lightning (Vidyut), and the Sun (Surya).
The Navarna Mantra
Sutra 47
Devanagari
चतुर्वर्गफलकामश्चण्डीमुपासीत ।। 47।।
Transliteration
- Caturvargaphalakāmaś-caṇḍīmupāsīta.
Translation
One who desires the four goals of life (Purushartha) should worship Chandi.
Sutra 48
Devanagari
नवार्णया ।। 48।।
Transliteration
- Navārṇayā.
Translation
[This is done] through the nine-syllabled mantra (Navarna).
Sutra 49
Devanagari
वाणी माया कामो ङेऽन्ता चामुण्डा समाधानं जलं सयोनियुक्तं कूटद्वयं चेति नवार्णा ।। 49।।
Transliteration
- Vāṇī māyā kāmoṅ-entā cāmuṇḍā samādhānaṃ jalaṃ sayoniyuktaṃ kūṭadvayaṃ ceti navārṇā.
Translation
The Navarna consists of: Vani (Aim), Maya (Hrim), Kama (Klim), Chamunda in the dative case (Chamundayai), Samadhana, Jalam (vitché), and the two peaks joined with Yoni.
Sutra 50
Devanagari
मन्त्रोऽयं तान्त्रिकः ।। 50।।
Transliteration
- Mantro’yaṃ tāntrikaḥ.
Translation
This mantra is Tantric.
Sutra 51
Devanagari
अस्य ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वरानृषीनाहुः ।। 51।।
Transliteration
- Asya brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarānṛṣīnāhuḥ.
Translation
Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara are said to be its Rishis (Seers).
Sutra 52
Devanagari
गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुभश्छन्दांसि ।। 52।।
Transliteration
- Gāyatryuṣṇig-anuṣṭubhaś-chandāṃsi.
Translation
Gayatri, Ushnik, and Anushtubh are the meters.
Sutra 53
Devanagari
वाणी बीजम् ।। 53।।
Transliteration
- Vāṇī bījam.
Translation
Vani (Aim) is the seed (Bija).
Sutra 54
Devanagari
माया शक्तिः ।। 54।।
Transliteration
- Māyā śaktiḥ.
Translation
Maya (Hrim) is the power (Shakti).
Sutra 55
Devanagari
कामः कीलकम् ।। 55।।
Transliteration
- Kāmaḥ kīlakam.
Translation
Kama (Klim) is the pillar (Kilaka).
Sutra 56
Devanagari
एकैकेनापि चतुर्भिर्द्वाभ्यां सर्वेण च न्यासः ।। 56।।
Transliteration
- Ekaikenāpi caturbhir-dvābhyāṃ sarveṇa ca nyāsaḥ.
Translation
The Nyasa (ritual placement) is done with each one, with four, with two, or with all.
The Forms of Chandi
Sutra 57
Devanagari
नीला दशभुजा महाकाली चण्डीकल्पे ।। 57।।
Transliteration
- Nīlā daśabhujā mahākālī caṇḍīkalpe.
Translation
In the Chandi-Kalpa, Mahakali is blue and ten-armed.
Sutra 58
Devanagari
दशसु दिक्षु क्रियावतीति ।। 58।।
Transliteration
- Daśasu dikṣu kriyāvatīti.
Translation
She is active in the ten directions.
Sutra 59
Devanagari
पीता सहस्रभुजाऽपि ध्यानायाष्टादशभुजा महालक्ष्मीः ।। 59।।
Transliteration
- Pītā sahasrabhujā’pi dhyānāyāṣṭādaśabhujā mahālakṣmīḥ.
Translation
Mahalakshmi is yellow and thousand-armed, but for meditation, she is eighteen-armed.
Sutra 60
Devanagari
यज्ञेश्वरीत्वात्सहस्रकर्मेति ।। 60।।
Transliteration
- Yajñeśvarītvāt-sahasrakarmeti.
Translation
Being the Lady of Sacrifice (Yajneshvari), she performs a thousand actions.
Sutra 61
Devanagari
श्वेताऽष्टभुजा महासरस्वती ।। 61।।
Transliteration
- Śvetā’ṣṭabhujā mahāsarasvatī.
Translation
Mahasarasvati is white and eight-armed.
Sutra 62
Devanagari
सप्ताभिः सितेन च रश्मिभिः करोतीति ।। 62।।
Transliteration
- Saptābhiḥ sitena ca raśmibhiḥ karotīti.
Translation
She acts through seven white rays of light.
Sutra 63
Devanagari
‘‘इहेन्द्राणीमुपह्वये वरुणानीं स्वस्तये । अग्नायीं सोमपीतये ।।’’ इति काण्वेन मेधातिथिना दृष्ट्या वैदिक्या गायत्रया विद्यया वा ।। 63।।
Transliteration
- ‘‘Ihendrāṇīmupahvaye varuṇānīṃ svastaye। agnāyīṃ somapītaye।।’’ iti kāṇvena medhātithinā dṛṣṭyā vaidikyā gāyatryā vidyayā vā.
Translation
Or [she is worshipped] through the Vedic Gayatri mantra seen by Medhatithi of the Kanva lineage: “Ihendranim upahvaye…” (calling upon Indrani, Varunani, and Agnayi).
Sutra 64
Devanagari
अत्रा सूर्यशक्तिर्वरुणान्युच्यते ।। 64।।
Transliteration
- Atrā sūryaśaktir-varuṇānyucyate.
Translation
Here, the power of the Sun is called Varunani.
Sutra 65
Devanagari
मध्यमस्थानो द्युस्थानश्च वरुण उच्यते निगमेषु ।। 65।।
Transliteration
- Madhyamasthāno dyusthānaś-ca varuṇa ucyate nigameṣu.
Translation
In the Vedas (Nigamas), Varuna is said to be of the middle and heavenly realms.
Sutra 66
Devanagari
पूर्वः पर्जन्यो जलदेवः ।। 66।।
Transliteration
- Pūrvaḥ parjanyo jaladeva.
Translation
The former is Parjanya, the god of water.
Sutra 67
Devanagari
उत्तरः कर्मसाक्षी सूर्यः ।। 67।।
Transliteration
- Uttaraḥ karmasākṣī sūryaḥ.
Translation
The latter is Surya, the witness of all actions.
Conclusion
Sutra 68
Devanagari
अन्तर्ज्योतिरुपासनं शुद्धमुपासनं भैरव्याः ।। 68।।
Transliteration
- Antarjyotirupāsanaṃ śuddhamupāsanaṃ bhairavyāḥ.
Translation
The worship of the Inner Light is the pure worship of Bhairavi.
Sutra 69
Devanagari
अन्तरूष्मणाऽनुसन्धानात्स्पृशतीव ज्योतिः ।। 69।।
Transliteration
- Antarūṣmaṇā’nusandhānāt-spṛśatīva jyotiḥ.
Translation
By contemplating the inner heat (Ushma), one feels as if touching the Light.
Sutra 70
Devanagari
शृणोतीवान्तर्नादानुसन्धानात् ।। 70।।
Transliteration
- Śṛṇotīvāntarnādā-nusandhānāt.
Translation
By contemplating the inner sound (Nada), one feels as if hearing it.
Sutra 71
Devanagari
इयमुपनिशत्सु ज्योतिर्विद्योच्यते ।। 71।।
Transliteration
- Iyamupaniṣatsu jyotirvidyocyate.
Translation
In the Upanishads, this is called the Jyotir-Vidya (Science of Light).
Sutra 72
Devanagari
भैरव्युपासनादोजस्वी भवेदोजस्वी भवेत् ।। 72।।
Transliteration
- Bhairavyupāsanād-ojasvī bhavedojasvī bhavet.
Translation
By the worship of Bhairavi, one becomes full of vigor (Ojasvi); one becomes full of vigor.
Index: index