✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 80 of 112 — The Resonance Of The Eternal Void
Sanskrit Verse
praṇavādisamabhyāsād dīrghaghaṇṭāninādavat | śūnyānte śūnyabhāvena parā vyāptiḥ prayātyataḥ ||
By the practice of Pranava (Om) and other mantras, like the long resonance of a bell, through the state of void at the end of the sound, one attains the supreme pervasiveness by means of that void.
Commentary
This dharana utilizes the 'Pranava' (the sacred syllable Om) as a meditative tool, emphasizing the 'Anusvara' or the trailing resonance (Nada). The instruction compares the sound to the 'dirgha-ghanta-ninada'—the long, tapering ring of a great bell. Metaphysically, this technique explores the 'Shunyanta' (the end of the void). As the audible sound (Vaikhari) tapers off, it becomes a subtle internal vibration (Madhyama), then a purely mental vision (Pashyanti), finally dissolving into the 'Shunya' (Void/Silence). In Kashmir Shaivism, the 'Void' is not a 'nothingness' but a 'Purna' (fullness) of potentiality. By dwelling on the 'Shunya-bhava'—the feeling or contemplation of the void at the end of the mantra—the practitioner is propelled into 'Para-vyapti', the supreme pervasiveness. This is the state where the individual ego is entirely superseded by the all-encompassing consciousness of Bhairava. The sound acts as a rocket that carries the mind to the edge of the atmosphere, and the subsequent silence is the infinite space of the cosmos.
Practice Instructions
- 01Sit in a comfortable position and take a few deep breaths. Begin to chant the Pranava 'Om' or another mantra slowly and resonant.
- 02Pay particular attention to the 'M' sound at the end, letting it trail off as long as possible, like the fading ring of a temple bell.
- 03As the physical sound becomes silent, keep following the 'trace' or the 'echo' of the sound in your mind.
- 04Focus your entire being on the silence that remains after the sound has completely vanished.
- 05This silence is the 'Shunyanta'. Hold your awareness in this void, feeling it as a vast, pervasive presence that extends in all directions.
- 06Do not rush to start the next chant; the space between the sounds is where the realization occurs.
- 07Repeat this, making each silence deeper and more expansive.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'void at the end'?
The 'Shunyanta' is the precise moment when the last vestige of sound disappears into silence. It is a threshold. By focusing on this point, you catch the mind in a state where it has stopped processing external data but hasn't yet started a new thought.
Why is the bell analogy used?
A bell's ring is continuous and tapers gradually. Unlike a spoken word which ends abruptly, a bell's resonance (Nada) provides a smooth 'ramp' for the mind to follow from the physical world into the subtle realm of vibration and finally into the absolute silence.
Can I use mantras other than Om?
Yes, 'Pranavadi' means 'Om and others'. You can use any seed mantra (Bija) or a mantra like 'So-Ham'. The key is to emphasize the resonant conclusion and the ensuing silence, rather than the intellectual meaning of the words.
How do I experience 'supreme pervasiveness'?
It is not something you 'do', but something that happens. As you rest in the void (Shunya-bhava), the sense of being a localized person in a body begins to fade, replaced by a feeling of being the space itself in which all things happen.
Is this a form of Pranayama?
While it involves breath to produce sound, it is primarily a 'Dharana' (concentration) and 'Dhyana' (meditation) technique. The focus is on the sound-vibration (Nada) and its dissolution, rather than the regulation of the breath itself.
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