✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 10 of 112 — The Radiant Peacock Feather Meditation
Sanskrit Verse
śikhipakṣaiścitrarūpairmaṇḍalaiḥ pañcabhiścitaiḥ | divyadvādaśakenaiva viśedvyomāntaraṃ vibhuḥ || 33 ||
Meditating on the five colored circles of the peacock's feather, the practitioner should enter the inner space of the void through the divine twelve.
Commentary
This dharana utilizes a sophisticated visualization technique based on the 'bindus' or circles found on a peacock's feather. Metaphysically, these circles represent the five senses and the five elements (mahabhutas) brought into a state of harmonious convergence. The 'divine twelve' mentioned here can refer to the twelve vowels of the Sanskrit alphabet or the twelve stages of the breath's movement, but in the context of visualization, it signifies the expansion of the five senses into the transcendental void (vyoman). By focusing on the variegated, shimmering colors of the peacock's eye, the practitioner moves from the gross perception of external objects to the subtle perception of pure light. The peacock feather is a symbol of the multiplicity of the universe held within a single, unified structure. As the mind settles on these radiant circles, the 'vibhu' or all-pervading nature of the self is revealed. The transition from the 'colored' (citra) to the 'void' (vyoma) represents the journey from the manifest world of forms to the unmanifest ground of being. This practice refines the faculty of internal vision, allowing the yogi to see the 'luminous space' that exists within the center of every sensory perception.
Practice Instructions
- 01Sit in a dark or dimly lit room to enhance internal visualization. Close your eyes and visualize a single peacock feather held before your third eye.
- 02Focus intensely on the 'eye' of the feather, noticing the five distinct concentric circles of color: deep blue, green, gold, and bronze.
- 03See these circles not as flat shapes, but as shimmering portals of light. Allow your consciousness to move from the outermost circle toward the center.
- 04As you reach the innermost point, imagine that point expanding until it encompasses your entire field of vision.
- 05The colors should dissolve into a clear, radiant void. Hold your awareness in this 'inner space' (vyomāntaraṃ), where no objects exist, only the pure quality of light.
- 06If the mind wanders, gently return to the vibrant colors of the peacock eye and repeat the process of moving inward until you rest again in the silent, spacious emptiness of the divine twelve.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a peacock feather as the object of meditation?
The peacock feather represents the beauty and diversity of the manifest world. By focusing on its complex patterns and then moving to the void, the practitioner learns that all diversity emerges from and returns to the same source. It is a tool for transforming sensory beauty into spiritual realization.
What is meant by the 'divine twelve' in this context?
In this specific visualization, the 'divine twelve' refers to the subtle expansion of energy beyond the five senses. It signifies the transition from the five physical elements to the higher cosmic principles, eventually leading to the twelve-fold internal resonance that opens the gateway to the supreme void.
Can I use a real peacock feather for this practice?
Yes, staring at a physical feather (Trataka) before closing the eyes can be very helpful for beginners. Once the image is burned into the mind's eye, you transition to the internal visualization where the colors become 'divine' and lead you into the internal space or 'vyoman'.
What should I do if the colors won't stay steady?
Do not struggle with the image. If the colors flicker or fade, simply acknowledge the movement of your mind and gently bring the image back. The goal is not a perfect painting, but the 'feeling' of the radiant circles leading you into a state of spaciousness.
How does this practice lead to 'entering the void'?
The void is reached when the mind stops processing specific forms and starts experiencing the space between forms. By focusing on the center of the radiant circles, the mind eventually loses its grip on 'thingness' and slides into the pure, objectless awareness that underlies all perceptions.
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