✦ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Technique 14 of 112 — The Resonating Inner Sound
Sanskrit Verse
śikhicakraiḥ kalāpraiśca śānyatvaṃ vā śikhirūpiṇā | anyasthanirapekṣeṇa svatantraḥ śiva-bhāga-bhāk ||
Meditating on the circles of the peacock's feathers, or the five senses as light, one enters the void. Or, independent of all, one becomes a sharer in the portion of Shiva.
Commentary
This dharana utilizes the metaphor of the peacock’s plumage to describe the multi-dimensional nature of sensory perception and its ultimate source in the Void (Shunya). In the Shaiva tradition, the 'circles' represent the various sensory gates or the 'Kalās'—the divisions of time and space. The practitioner is invited to perceive the senses not as windows to an external world, but as internal radiances of the Self. The mention of the 'peacock's tail' evokes a sense of vibrant, iridescent beauty that is nonetheless ephemeral. By looking into the very nature of these sensory 'circles'—seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching—one realizes they are actually composed of the same fundamental light of consciousness. As the practitioner focuses on the interplay of these sensory energies without becoming attached to the objects they perceive, the 'objects' lose their solidity. The internal 'vibration' or sound of these energies becomes apparent. This leads to a state of 'svatantra' or absolute freedom, where the yogi is no longer dependent on external stimuli for bliss. The ultimate realization is that the practitioner is a 'bhāga-bhāk'—a sharer or partaker in the very essence of Shiva, the primordial emptiness that contains all fullness.
Practice Instructions
- 01Sit in silence and close your eyes. Instead of trying to block out sounds or sensations, become acutely aware of the 'vibrant' quality of your senses.
- 02Imagine your consciousness as the eye of a peacock feather—multicolored and radiant. Listen to the subtle, high-pitched ringing sound (Anahata Nada) within your ears.
- 03Do not analyze the sound; simply merge with it. Now, perceive every sensation in your body as a circle of light.
- 04Feel the boundary between the internal and external world beginning to blur. As you focus on these internal 'light-circles,' realize they are all arising from a single, silent void.
- 05Let go of the individual circles and rest in the underlying silence that supports them. Experience yourself as independent of the physical environment, centered in the unconditioned freedom of your own nature.
- 06Allow the sense of 'I' to expand until it encompasses both the light and the silence, identifying with the supreme consciousness of Shiva.
Recommended Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 'circles' referring to in a practical sense?
Practically, 'circles' refer to the focus points of our senses and the mental images they create. They are the 'whirls' of the mind. By observing them as mere light or energy patterns rather than solid facts, we stop being captivated by the illusion of the material world and return to the source energy.
I hear a ringing in my ears; is that the sound mentioned?
Yes, in Yoga this is often called the 'Anahata Nada' or unstruck sound. In this dharana, you use that internal resonance as a bridge. Focus on it without judgment. It acts as a focal point that draws the mind away from external distractions and deeper into the silence of the heart.
How does this technique lead to freedom (Svatantrya)?
Freedom comes when your happiness is no longer dependent on what you see, hear, or touch. By realizing that sensory experiences are just internal light-play, you stop seeking fulfillment from outside. This self-sufficiency is the hallmark of 'Svatantrya,' the absolute independence of the Supreme Self from all worldly conditions.
Is the 'void' a state of nothingness?
In Kashmir Shaivism, the 'Void' (Shunya) is not a literal nothingness or a vacuum. It is 'Purna-Shunya'—a void that is pregnant with infinite potential. It is the absence of limited objects but the presence of absolute consciousness. It feels like a vast, open, and luminous space of pure being.
What if my mind is too busy to see light circles?
If the mind is busy, don't fight the thoughts. Instead, treat the thoughts themselves as the 'circles of feathers.' Observe the energetic 'color' or 'texture' of the thought without following its narrative. By shifting focus from the content to the energy of the thought, the mind naturally slows down and reveals its luminous source.
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