The Bhavana of Bhavanopanishad

The Bhavanopanishad is a short Upanishad from the Tantra tradition. It is associated with the Shakta philosophy, focusing on the worship of the Divine Mother (Devi) and the realization of the unity between the individual self (Jivatma) and the supreme self (Paramatma). The text belongs to the Atharvaveda and is revered for its teachings on internalized worship and meditative practices.

Key Teachings of the Bhavanopanishad:

1. Unity of the Self and the Divine:
   It emphasizes that the individual self and the supreme reality are not separate. This unity is realized through inner contemplation.
2. Symbolism of the Shri Chakra:
   The Shri Chakra  is presented as a symbol of the universe and the human body. Worshiping it represents understanding the oneness of macrocosm (universe) and microcosm (individual).
3. Internalized Worship:
   The text shifts focus from external rituals to internal worship (Antar-yaga). Devotion becomes an inward journey through meditation, self-awareness, and realization of inner divinity.
4. Role of Bhavana:
   Bhavana, or creative contemplation, is central. It involves deeply meditating on spiritual truths to transform consciousness and experience the divine within.
5. Tripura Sundari as the Supreme Reality:
   The Goddess Tripura Sundari, often represented by the Shri Chakra, is identified as the ultimate reality. She embodies beauty, wisdom, and cosmic power.
6. Non-Dual Philosophy:
   Like Advaita Vedanta, the Bhavanopanishad teaches non-dualism (Advaita), where all distinctions dissolve in the realization of the one universal essence.

Structure of the Bhavanopanishad:

It is brief and written in a poetic style, combining elements of Vedic wisdom with Tantric symbolism. It guides practitioners in aligning their spiritual practices with their understanding of the divine.

The Bhavanopanishad is highly regarded among those following Shakta and Tantric traditions, as it bridges philosophical concepts with meditative and symbolic practices.

There are four stages of worship:

1. Pratikopasana: Worshiping God in a physical form.
2. Pratirupa-pratimopasana: Worshiping with the belief that God is present in the image.
3. Bhava-pratimopasana: Meditating on God’s qualities in the heart.
4. Nidanopasana: Worshiping God in an abstract form with symbolic offerings.

The final stage removes external rituals and sees unity between the devotee and God.

The Tantrik tradition divides worship into two types:

1. External worship (Bahir-yaga)

• Uses physical forms of the deity.
• Involves offerings, praises, and rituals.
• Can follow Vedic or Tantrik practices.
• It is called 'gross' worship (Sthula).

2. Internal worship (Antar-yaga)

• Focuses on meditation, chanting, and contemplation.
• Worship becomes mental and personal.

Worship progresses in two stages:

1. With aids (Sadhara): Uses external tools like rituals but understands they are not absolute.
2. Without aids (Niradhara): Worship becomes internal, without external aids.

Worship evolves through three stages:

1. Gross form (Sthula): The deity appears in a physical form.
2. Subtle form (Sukshma): The deity is experienced through mantras.
3. Transcendental form (Para): The deity is visualized in the mind through deep impressions.

In Tantra, refined impressions (Vasana) from rituals connect thoughts and actions. At the highest stage, the devotee realizes that the deity is within their consciousness. External rituals lose importance.

Bhavana (Transformation of Consciousness)

• Bhavana means creating or realizing divinity within.
• It involves deep contemplation or meditation.
• Bhavana refines thoughts and explores inner truth.
• The Bhagavad Gita links it to peace, requiring controlled senses.

The Vishnu Purana describes three types of Bhavana:

1. Brahmakhya: Meditation on ultimate reality.
2. Karmakhya: Focus on rituals.
3. Ubhayatmika: Combines reality and rituals.

In Tantra, the Mother Goddess (Devi) has three forms:

1. Subtle (Sukshma): The 15-letter mantra (Panchadashi).
2. More subtle (Sukshma-tara): Kama-kala, representing universal reality.
3. Most subtle (Sukshma-tama): Kundalini, the inner spiritual force.

Bhavana’s Three Secrets (Rahasya):

1. Puja-Sanketa: Worship using physical symbols.
2. Mantra-Sanketa: Worship using mantras.
3. Chakra-Sanketa: Worship on the mental plane, like the Shri Chakra.

Bhavana aligns with transcendental knowledge (Para), which goes beyond worldly knowledge (Apara).

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi