Sri Bhairava is a Tantrika form of Lord Rudra. His Mantra Japa and Yantra Sadhana demand seriousness. One cannot approach Lord Bhairava directly as He represents the fierce aspect of the Guru Tattva. Therefore, in the beginning, a living Guru becomes a more accessible form of Sri Bhairava.
He decodes Tantra and helps understand the nuances of Sri Bhairav Sadhana. Casually chanting mantras like Om Bhairavaya Namaha should also be avoided without proper spiritual alignment and grounding.
In this blogpost, we will see how we can assess our suitability for Bhairava Sadhana.
Inner Mood Behind Sri Bhairava Sadhana
Usually we feel that the power of a Deity, Sadhana or Guru depends on the number of followers it is able to attract. However,the old English idiom “Birds of the same feather flock together” reveals how everyone is interested in following the trend and being a part of the most popular group.
Those who consciously choose to stay out of the rat race quality for spirituality. There is already a dearth of true spiritual aspirants.
Among these very few, fewer are those who qualify for Sri Bhairava Sadhana. Because, the seriousness required is immaculate and uncompromising.
And among these countable fortunate souls, even rarer are those who qualify for extremely advanced Bhairava Sadhanas like Shava Sadhana that is practiced through Vamachara. But, such seekers are born with a different mental construct.
They do not have doubts like ‘Am I ready for Bhairava Sadhana’ or ‘What will Sri Bhairava give me’. These are Tantrikas by Poorva Janma Sukrutham (past life merits and karmas). They do not actively seek a Guru as their eternal Guru personally incarnates to guide them from where they had already left.
Other than some serious sadhakas dedicated to the science of Tantra, most people approach Sri Bhairava due to their roadblocks in their everyday life. If the intention is just to overcome the problem then Sri Bhairava is not the deity to be invoked.
Bhairava Sadhana is a serious venture. It requires a sense of maturity. It is important to realize that both Vedic and Tantrik sadhana should not be approached for quick fixes.
One cannot pause or resume the Sadhana based on how one gauges ‘progress’ or ‘improvement in life’. Bhairava Sadhana is an independent path and its benefits cannot become the sole motivating factor for continuing the Sadhana. If it is so, then the practice remains short-lived. We can begin understanding our position in this by introspection.
Instrospect Why Sri Bhairava Attracts You?
Firstly, reflect whether Sri Bhairava attracts you because He is popular on social media or because you feel attraction to no one but Him? This is important to answer honestly because it helps determine Nishtha (loyalty) towards the deity. It also reflects how much effort you are willing to put in the Sadhana.
People drawn to Sri Bhairava purely out of curiosity have the natural tendency to switch practices, or experiment with results. They lack the discipline to stay committed to the actual sadhana.
Also, their intention leans towards wish fulfillment and material life more than genuine spiritual upliftment. Such an approach results in more harm, making the both individual and the practice unstable.
If your inclination lies genuinely in Bhairava Sadhana then approaching a Guru becomes essential for higher realizations. One must follow a set of regulations and rituals based on Sri Guru’s orders and the Paramparic system.
When the personal intent of the Sadhaka aligns with the intention of the Guru, only then it becomes Sadhana. The success of Bhairava Sadhana lies in purifying oneself and attaining Supreme Realization.
Checking the Chakra Alignment for Tantrika Devata Sadhana
Nama Mantras are safe for all to chant. However special care should be taken while invoking Tantrik Deities like the Dashamahavidyas, Ashtabhairavas and Kala Bhairava. These deities actively govern the material world and hence respond quickly when Mantras and Yantra Puja are observed correctly.
Analysing the Chakra Strength with respect to Bhairava Sadhana helps a person understand their readiness for it.
Lord Bhairava governs the Root Chakra which is associated with our need for security. This is also reflected in Sri Bhairava’s role as the protector or guardian deity.
A weak Muladhara Chakra can cause energy leaks wherein the vibration of the Sadhana may not be retained well in the body. This can manifest as overstimulation, or excessive fear. The Sadhana bala (power) is converted into repeated thought patterns on account of a weak Muladhara Chakra.
If you feel drawn to Sri Bhairava but are unsure whether your mind and body can take up Sri Bhairava Sadhana, you can avail of the Sri Bhairava Sadhana Suitability Report. This helps determine whether you should begin with safe Nama Japa and grounding practices or wait before entering deeper forms of Sadhana.
Bhairava Sadhana Suitability Report
- A brief on your current life situation
- Why you feel drawn to Sri Bhairava
- Any fear, anger, dreams, or instability noticed
- Your current spiritual practice
- Latest face photograph
- Is Sri Bhairava Sadhana suitable for you now?
- Strength of Lower Chakras
- Which type of Japa Mala is aligned for your nature?
- Should you receive Sri Bhairava Yantra or another Yantra?
- What simple Nama Japa can you begin with?
Challenges of Bhairava Mantra Sadhana for Beginners
Mantra Japa is the means of connecting with the Devata. For Beginners, Householders, and Brahmacharis who intend to enter grihastashrama, the Safe Path to Sri Bhairava is recommended. Bhairava Nama Mantras are advised over Beeja Mantras to avoid overwhelm.
An ordinary individual facing life’s many challenges has scattered energy, reducing the capacity to hold the fierce energy of Sri Bhairava.
Effect of Mind Wandering in Sadhana
Mantra Japa becomes most effective when the Sadhaka has mastered the mind. Mind wandering should have stopped. Although Nama Japa has the power to attract the Lord, our mind’s involvement with other activities prevents us from recognising His presence. Most importantly, Bhagawan looks at the intent of the seeker.
The mind is like a marketplace. It is a home to numerous worldly desires, and we have also made a small place for the Lord there. Inside this crowded mind, we may shout Bhairav… Bhairava, and expect him to respond to our prayers. But how will Lord Bhairava respond when there is so much distraction around Him.
But, when we go near Him and then call Him by His name, He is sure to respond from the crowd. That initiative to closely approach Him (in this example), represents our focus while chanting. When we one-pointedly focus on His mantra, we successfully attract His attention. But, sharp focus is extremely difficult to attain.
Guruji’s Explains the Working of the Mind During Mantra Japa
Some Sadhakas under Guruji’s guidance discuss their state of mind while doing mantras. Many have personally experienced that the mind tends to jump across various events and dialogues. Sometimes during Sadhana such innovative ideas come to the mind that one feels compelled to get up and try them out.
Guruji calls this the antics of the mind. Shedding light on the nature of the mind, he says: “The mind does not disturb when we listen to it. It gives its full cooperation in sense enjoyment.
But, when we are determined to nourish the soul, it becomes a tyrant. So, although you want to do sadhana the mind will pull you towards work or entertainment. For some others the mind shuts down the system, putting one to sleep.
Those who overcome these gross distractions face vice-related challenges. The mind makes a person agitated with thoughts filled with lust, anger or fear. It may make a person feel useless and good for nothing.
But, these are just superficial threats of the mind. A person may feel it is impossible to come out of this negative loop. But, by being obedient to the guru and practically applying his guidance, the person comes out of this phase.
So, Mantra Sadhana requires a lot of conscious effort. Closing the eyes or the doors of a room does not end distractions. Instead, the mind reveals its vastness which is like an endless ocean of impressions and stored memory.
Rohini Devi Dasi
Damodar Das Ji Maharaj