Muni's Play8. Bagalamukhi
Translation of the Bagalamukhi Sutras
Sutra 1
Devanagari
बगलामुखीं व्याख्यास्यामः ।। 1।।
Transliteration
- Bagalāmukhīṃ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ.
Translation
Now, we shall explain Bagalamukhi.
Sutra 2
Devanagari
अष्टमी सा दशसु महाविद्यासु ।। 2।।
Transliteration
- Aṣṭamī sā daśasu mahāvidyāsu.
Translation
She is the eighth among the ten Mahavidyas (Great Wisdom Goddesses).
Sutra 3
Devanagari
तारायास्तत्त्वेन बगलामुख्यास्तत्त्वं व्याख्यातम् ।। 3।।
Transliteration
- Tārāyāstattvena bagalāmukhyāstattvaṃ vyākhyātam.
Translation
The essential nature (Tattva) of Bagalamukhi is explained through the essential nature of Tara.
Sutra 4
Devanagari
विभूतिभेदाद्विद्याभेदः ।। 4।।
Transliteration
- Vibhūtibhedād-vidyābhedaḥ.
Translation
The difference in the Vidyas (sciences/goddesses) arises from the differences in their manifestations of power (Vibhuti).
Sutra 5
Devanagari
व्यक्ततेजस्त्वमापन्नः शब्दो बगलामुखी ।। 5।।
Transliteration
- Vyakta-tejas-tvamāpannaḥ śabdo bagalāmukhī.
Translation
Bagalamukhi is Sound (Vak) that has attained the state of manifested brilliance (Tejas).
Sutra 6
Devanagari
ध्रुवया स्मृत्याऽऽवर्तनान्मन्त्रास्तेजोमयाः स्युः ।। 6।।
Transliteration
- Dhruvayā smṛtyā’āvartanān-mantrāstejomayāḥ syuḥ.
Translation
Through the repetition (Avartana) of steady, unwavering remembrance (Dhruva Smriti), mantras become filled with light/energy (Tejomaya).
Sutra 7
Devanagari
तस्मादेव बगलामुखी ब्रह्मास्त्रमुच्यते ।। 7।।
Transliteration
- Tasmādeva bagalāmukhī brahmāstram-ucyate.
Translation
For this reason, Bagalamukhi is called the Brahmastra (The Weapon of Brahman).
Sutra 8
Devanagari
ब्रह्मैवास्त्रं ब्रह्मास्त्रं न ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रम् ।। 8।।
Transliteration
- Brahmaivāstraṃ brahmāstraṃ na brahmaṇo’stram.
Translation
The “Brahmastra” is Brahman itself as a weapon; it is not merely a weapon belonging to Brahma.
Sutra 9
Devanagari
नानाविधास्त्रा सङ्गतिरिति चेत् ।। 9।।
Transliteration
- Nānāvidhāstrāṇi sangatiriti cet.
Translation
If it is argued that there are many kinds of weapons…
Sutra 10
Devanagari
नानिष्टम् ।। 10।।
Transliteration
- Nāniṣṭam.
Translation
…that is not denied (it is acceptable).
Sutra 11
Devanagari
एकस्यैव ब्रह्मास्त्रस्य देवताभेदादाग्नेयास्त्रत्वादि व्यवहारः ।। 11।।
Transliteration
- Ekasyaiva brahmāstrasya devatābhedād-āgneyāstratvādi vyavahāraḥ.
Translation
It is the one Brahmastra that is called by different names like Agneyastra (Fire-weapon), etc., due to the different presiding deities.
Sutra 12
Devanagari
अस्त्री भवितुं शक्तस्य तेजोमयस्य ब्रह्मणो ज्येष्ठाख्या ।। 12।।
Transliteration
- Astrī bhavituṃ śaktasya tejomayasya brahmaṇo jyeṣṭhākhyā.
Translation
The title Jyeshtha (The Elder) belongs to the brilliant Brahman who is capable of becoming the wielder of the weapon.
Sutra 13
Devanagari
तेन ब्रह्मणस्पतेर्ज्येष्ठराजत्वं व्याख्यातम् ।। 13।।
Transliteration
- Tena brahmaṇaspater-jyeṣṭharājatvaṃ vyākhyātam.
Translation
By this, the “Jyeshtharajatvam” (Supreme Sovereignty) of Brahmanaspati is explained.
Sutra 14
Devanagari
प्रचण्डचण्डिकावद्देवता ।। 14।।
Transliteration
- Pracaṇḍacaṇḍikāvad-devatā.
Translation
This deity is like Prachanda Chandika (the fierce form of the Goddess).
Sutra 15
Devanagari
शाब्दस्यापि व्यक्ततेजसो माध्यमिकत्वात् ।। 15।।
Transliteration
- Śābdasyāpi vyaktatejaso mādhyamikatvāt.
Translation
Because even the manifested brilliance of Sound occupies a “middle” or intermediate position.
Sutra 16
Devanagari
शत्रुनिस्तरणकामो बगलामुखीमुपासीत ।। 16।।
Transliteration
- Śatrunistaraṇakāmo bagalāmukhīmupāsīta.
Translation
One who desires to overcome enemies should worship Bagalamukhi.
The Mantra and Vedic Connection
Sutra 17
Devanagari
खेन्द्राग्निशान्तिचन्द्रैः संयुक्तैः ।। 17।।
Transliteration
- Khendrāgni-śānticandraiḥ saṃyuktaiḥ.
Translation
Combined with the sounds Kha, Indra, Agni, Shanti, and Chandra (referring to the seed syllables/Bijamantras). HLRĪM (ह्लीम्).
Sutra 18
Devanagari
‘‘तदिदास भुवनेषु ज्येष्ठं यतो उग्रस्त्वेषनृम्णः । सद्यो जज्ञानो नि रिणाति शत्रूननु यं विश्वे मदन्त्यूमाः ।।’’ इत्याथर्वणेन बृहद्दिवेन दृष्ट्या त्रिष्टुभा वा ।। 18।।
Transliteration
- ‘‘Tadīdāsa bhuvaneṣu jyeṣṭhaṃ yato ugrastveṣanṛmṇaḥ। sadyo jajñāno ni riṇāti śatrūnanu yaṃ viśve madantyūmāḥ।।’’ ityātharvaṇena bṛhaddivena dṛṣṭyā triṣṭubhā vā.
Translation
[The worship is done] through the Atharvanic hymn seen by the seer Brihaddiva, or in the Trishtubh meter: “Tad id asa bhuvaneshu jyeshtham…” (That indeed was the eldest/greatest in the worlds…).
Sutra 19
Devanagari
तत्रेन्द्रो देवता नेन्द्राणीति चेत् ।। 19।।
Transliteration
- Tatrendro devatā nendrāṇīti cet.
Translation
If one objects: “Indra is the deity there, not Indrani (the female power)…”
Sutra 20
Devanagari
शक्तिशक्तिमतोरभेदादनया वृद्धाः शक्तिमुपासते ।। 20।।
Transliteration
- Śaktiśaktimator-abhedādanayā vṛddhāḥ śaktimupāsate.
Translation
[The answer is:] Because the Power (Shakti) and the Possessor of Power (Shaktiman) are non-different, the ancients worship the Power (Shakti) through this.
Sutra 21
Devanagari
पूर्वा तान्त्रिकी विद्योत्तरा वैदिकी ।। 21।।
Transliteration
- Pūrvā tāntrikī vidyottarā vaidikī.
Translation
The former is the Tantric Vidya; the latter is the Vedic Vidya.
Sutra 22
Devanagari
पूर्वस्या ऋषिं नारदमाहुः ।। 22।।
Transliteration
- Pūrvasyā ṛśiṃ nāradamāhuḥ.
Translation
Of the former (Tantric), Narada is said to be the Rishi (Seer).
Sutra 23
Devanagari
गायत्रीं छन्दः ।। 23।।
Transliteration
- Gāyatrīṃ chandaḥ.
Translation
Gayatri is the meter.
Sutra 24
Devanagari
अग्निपूर्व आर्चिकप्रणवो बीजम् ।। 24।।
Transliteration
- Agnipūrva ārchikapraṇavo bījam.
Translation
The Archika Pranava (Om) preceded by Agni is the Seed (Bija).
Sutra 25
Devanagari
इन्द्रः शक्तिः ।। 25।।
Transliteration
- Indraḥ śaktiḥ.
Translation
Indra is the Power (Shakti).
Sutra 26
Devanagari
आकाशः कीलकम् ।। 26।।
Transliteration
- Ākāśaḥ kīlakam.
Translation
Space (Akasha) is the Kilaka (the pin/pillar).
Sutra 27
Devanagari
पीता गदा हस्ता शत्रुविध्वंसिनी ध्येया ।। 27।।
Transliteration
- Pītā gadā hastā śatruvidhvaṃsinī dhyeyā.
Translation
She should be meditated upon as holding a golden club, destroying the enemy.
Philosophy of “Dhruva Smriti” (Steady Remembrance)
Sutra 28
Devanagari
ध्रुवा स्मृतिरस्याः शुद्धमुपासनम् ।। 28।।
Transliteration
- Dhruvā smrtir-asyāḥ śuddhamupāsanam.
Translation
The pure worship of Her is Dhruva Smriti (Steady, Unwavering Remembrance).
Sutra 29
Devanagari
तप उपासनं योगो ध्रुवा स्मृतिरिति पर्यायाः ।। 29।।
Transliteration
- Tapa upāsanaṃ yogo dhruvā smṛtir-iti paryāyāḥ.
Translation
Penance (Tapas), Worship (Upasana), Yoga, and Dhruva Smriti are synonyms.
Sutra 30
Devanagari
योगपदं प्राधान्येण पतञ्जलिना उक्तम् ।। 30।।
Transliteration
- Yogapadaṃ prādhānyeṇa patañjalinā uktam.
Translation
Patanjali used the term “Yoga” with prominence.
Sutra 31
Devanagari
योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोध इति तस्य लक्षणम् ।। 31।।
Transliteration
- Yogaścittavṛttinirodha iti tasya lakṣaṇam.
Translation
His definition is: “Yoga is the cessation of the movements of the mind” (Chittavritti Nirodha).
Sutra 32
Devanagari
व्यतिरेकतस्तत् ।। 32।।
Transliteration
- Vyatirekatastat.
Translation
That is a definition by exclusion (negative).
Sutra 33
Devanagari
अन्वयत आलोचनं योगस्य लक्षणम् ।। 33।।
Transliteration
- Anvayat-ālocanaṃ yogasya lakṣaṇam.
Translation
Looking at it positively (by inclusion), the definition of Yoga is Alochana (Keen Observation/Reflection).
Sutra 34
Devanagari
आलोचने स्वयं चित्तवृत्तयो निरुद्धाः स्युः ।। 34।।
Transliteration
- Ālocane svayaṃ cittavṛttayo niruddhāḥ syuḥ.
Translation
In the state of Alochana, the movements of the mind are naturally restrained.
Sutra 35
Devanagari
आलोचनं च तपः ।। 35।।
Transliteration
- Ālocanaṃ ca tapaḥ.
Translation
And Alochana is Tapas (Austerity/Heat).
Sutra 36
Devanagari
तदेवोपासनम् ।। 36।।
Transliteration
- Tadevopāsanam.
Translation
That itself is Upasana (Worship/Sitting near).
Sutra 37
Devanagari
सा ध्रुवा स्मृतिः ।। 37।।
Transliteration
- Sā dhruvā smrtiḥ.
Translation
That is Dhruva Smriti.
Practical Application and Yoga
Sutra 38
Devanagari
आलोचने स्वात्मज्ञप्तिरपि वृत्तिरिति चेन्मूलच्छेदः ।। 38।।
Transliteration
- Ālocane svātmajñaptirapi vṛttir-iti cenmūlacchedaḥ.
Translation
If it is argued that even Self-awareness (the act of knowing the Self) during ‘Alochana’ is still a Vritti (a mental modification), the answer is: (that awareness) cuts the very root (of all other Vrittis).
Sutra 39
Devanagari
पश्य विस्मृतस्य वस्तुनोऽन्तर्मार्गणे निजां स्थितिम् ।। 39।।
Transliteration
- Paśya vismṛtasya vastuno’ntarmārgaṇe nijāṃ sthitim.
Translation
Observe your own state while searching for an object you have forgotten.
Sutra 40
Devanagari
स योगस्तत्तपोऽसौ ध्रुवा स्मृतिः ।। 40।।
Transliteration
- Sa yogastattapo’sau dhruvā smrtiḥ.
Translation
That (state of intense searching/focus) is Yoga, that is Tapas, that is Dhruva Smriti.
Sutra 41
Devanagari
मृगयमाणो लब्ध्वैव निवर्तते ।। 41।।
Transliteration
- Mṛgayamāṇo labdhvāiva nivartate.
Translation
One who searches returns only after finding [the object].
Sutra 42
Devanagari
योगी तु नित्यं मृगयत इवान्यस्य लब्धव्यस्याभावात् ।। 42।।
Transliteration
- Yogī tu nityaṃ mṛgayata ivānyasya labdhavyasyābhāvāt.
Translation
But the Yogi searches eternally, as there is nothing else to be gained.
Sutra 43
Devanagari
अनात्मजिज्ञासोरालोचनं मार्गणम् ।। 43।।
Transliteration
- Anātmajijñāsor-ālocanaṃ mārgaṇam.
Translation
For one who does not know the Self, Alochana is a search.
Sutra 44
Devanagari
आत्मजिज्ञासोर्योगः ।। 44।।
Transliteration
- Ātmajijñāsor-yogaḥ.
Translation
For the seeker of the Self, it is Yoga.
Sutra 45
Devanagari
पश्य दुःखे निजां स्थितिम् ।। 45।।
Transliteration
- Paśya duḥkhe nijāṃ sthitim.
Translation
Observe your own state during [a moment of] pain.
Sutra 46
Devanagari
स योगस्तत्तपोऽसौ ध्रुवा स्मृतिः ।। 46।।
Transliteration
- Sa yogastattapo’sau dhruvā smṛtiḥ.
Translation
That (intensity of focus) is Yoga, that is Tapas, that is Dhruva Smriti.
Sutra 47
Devanagari
दुःखितः शिष्टभोग्यजातसन्निकर्षात्पुनर्निवर्तते ।। 47।।
Transliteration
- Duḥkhitaḥ śiṣṭabhogyajāta-sannikarṣāt-punarnivartate.
Translation
The worldly person returns [to distraction] once they come into contact with objects of enjoyment.
Sutra 48
Devanagari
न तु योगी जितभोग्यजालत्वात् ।। 48।।
Transliteration
- Na tu yogī jitabhogyajālatvāt.
Translation
But not the Yogi, because he has conquered the web of enjoyments.
The Energetic Process (Kundalini)
Sutra 49
Devanagari
सुषुम्नया संवित् सहस्रारपर्यन्तं प्रवहति ।। 49।।
Transliteration
- Suṣumnayā saṃvit sahasrāraparyantaṃ pravahati.
Translation
Consciousness (Samvit) flows through the Sushumna up to the Sahasrara (the thousand-petaled lotus).
Sutra 50
Devanagari
तत्र मानसस्थानमासाद्याप्रतापा शीता भवति ।। 50।।
Transliteration
- Tatra mānasasthānamā-sādyā-pratāpā śītā bhavati.
Translation
Having reached the “Place of the Mind” (Manas-sthana), it becomes cool and loses its heat.
Sutra 51
Devanagari
सा शीता सर्वनाडीद्वारा शरीरे प्रवहति ।। 51।।
Transliteration
- Sā śītā sarvanāḍīdvārā śarīre pravahati.
Translation
That cool energy flows through all the nerves (Nadis) into the body.
Sutra 52
Devanagari
संवित्प्रवाहमध्ये सेतुं बध्नीयात् स यथा मानसस्थानं न प्राप्नुयात् ।। 52।।
Transliteration
- Saṃvit-pravāhamadhye setuṃ badhnīyāt sa yathā mānasasthānaṃ na prāpnuyāt.
Translation
One should build a “dam” (Setu) in the flow of consciousness so that it does not reach the place of the mind [to cool down].
Sutra 53
Devanagari
भ्रूमध्य इत्येकः प्रकारः ।। 53।।
Transliteration
- Bhrūmadhya ityekhaḥ prakāraḥ.
Translation
One method is at the midpoint of the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya).
Sutra 54
Devanagari
सेतुबन्धनं नाम स्थापनं ध्यानेन ।। 54।।
Transliteration
- Setubandhanaṃ nāma sthāpanaṃ dhyānena.
Translation
Building a “dam” means stabilizing the focus through meditation.
Sutra 55
Devanagari
तदालोचनान्नातिरिच्यते ।। 55।।
Transliteration
- Tadālocanānnātiricyate.
Translation
This is nothing other than Alochana.
Sutra 56
Devanagari
स योगस्तत्तपोऽसौ ध्रुवा स्मृतिः ।। 56।।
Transliteration
- Sa yogastattapo’sau dhruvā smrtiḥ.
Translation
That is Yoga, that is Tapas, that is Dhruva Smriti.
Sutra 57
Devanagari
तदा संविदः प्रभुत्वं पूर्णं स्यादविभक्तत्वात् ।। 57।।
Transliteration
- Tadā saṃvidaḥ prabhutvaṃ pūrṇaṃ syādavibhaktatvāt.
Translation
Then, the sovereignty of Consciousness becomes full/perfect because it is undivided.
Sutra 58
Devanagari
तत्र संविदोऽग्रं लक्ष्यम् ।। 58।।
Transliteration
- Tatra saṃvido’graṃ lakṣyam.
Translation
There, the “tip” (front) of Consciousness is the target.
Sutra 59
Devanagari
तत्र प्रतितिष्ठन् विश्वपुरुषे प्रतितिष्ठति ।। 59।।
Transliteration
- Tatra pratitiṣṭhan viśvapuruṣe pratitiṣṭhati.
Translation
Established there, one is established in the Universal Person (Vishwa Purusha).
Sutra 60
Devanagari
कण्ठ इत्यन्यः प्रकारः ।। 60।।
Transliteration
- Kaṇṭha ityanyaḥ prakāraḥ.
Translation
The Throat is another method.
Sutra 61
Devanagari
तत्र संविदो मध्यं लक्ष्यम् ।। 61।।
Transliteration
- Tatra saṃvido madhyaṃ lakṣyam.
Translation
There, the “middle” of Consciousness is the target.
Sutra 62
Devanagari
तत्र प्रतितिष्ठंस्तैजसपुरुषे प्रतितिष्ठति ।। 62।।
Transliteration
- Tatra pratitiṣṭhaṃ-staijasapuruṣe pratitiṣṭhati.
Translation
Established there, one is established in the Luminous Person (Taijasa Purusha).
Sutra 63
Devanagari
हृदय इत्यन्यः प्रकारः ।। 63।।
Transliteration
- Hṛdaya ityanyaḥ prakāraḥ.
Translation
The Heart is another method.
Sutra 64
Devanagari
तत्र संविदो मूलं लक्ष्यम् ।। 64।।
Transliteration
- Tatra saṃvido mūlaṃ lakṣyam.
Translation
There, the “root” of Consciousness is the target.
Sutra 65
Devanagari
तत्र प्रतितिष्ठन्प्राज्ञपुरुषे प्रतितिष्ठति ।। 65।।
Transliteration
- Tatra pratitiṣṭhan-prājñapuruṣe pratitiṣṭhati.
Translation
Established there, one is established in the Intelligent/Causal Person (Prajna Purusha).
Conclusion
Sutra 66
Devanagari
शुद्धोपासनेन ध्रुवायां स्मृत्यां तत्र मन्त्रं संस्थाप्यावर्तयेत् ।। 66।।
Transliteration
- Śuddhopāsanena dhruvāyāṃ smrtyāṃ tatra mantraṃ saṃsthāpyā-vartayet.
Translation
Through pure worship, having established the Mantra in that Dhruva Smriti, one should repeat it.
Sutra 67
Devanagari
अथ तेजोमयो भवेत् ।। 67।।
Transliteration
- Atha tejomayo bhavet.
Translation
Then, one becomes full of brilliance (Tejomaya).
Sutra 68
Devanagari
अथास्त्रं भवेत् ।। 68।।
Transliteration
- Athāstram bhavet.
Translation
Then, one becomes the weapon.
Sutra 69
Devanagari
ग्रन्थिच्छेदश्च ध्रुवया स्मृत्या ।। 69।।
Transliteration
- Granthicchedaś-ca dhruvayā smrtyā.
Translation
The “cutting of the knots” (of the heart/ego) happens through Dhruva Smriti.
Sutra 70
Devanagari
स्मृतिलम्भे सर्वग्रन्थीनां मोक्ष इति श्रुतेः ।। 70।।
Transliteration
- Smṛtilambhe sarvagranthīnāṃ mokṣa iti śruteḥ.
Translation
For the Scripture says: “Upon gaining the steady remembrance, all knots are loosened.”
Sutra 71
Devanagari
इयं धु्रवा स्मृतिरुपनिशत्सु तप इत्येव गीयते ।। 71।।
Transliteration
- Iyaṃ dhruvā smṛtirupaniṣatsu tapa ityeva gīyate.
Translation
This Dhruva Smriti is sung in the Upanishads as Tapas itself.
Sutra 72
Devanagari
बगलामुख्युपासनादस्त्रसिद्धिर्भवेदस्त्रसिद्धिर्भवेत् ।। 72।।
Transliteration
- Bagalāmukhyupāsanā-dastrasiddhir-bhavedastrasiddhir-bhavet.
Translation
From the worship of Bagalamukhi, the mastery of the Weapon is attained; the mastery of the Weapon is attained.
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