Nabhi Vidya -Part Two

Continued from Part One

Just to recapitulate,

As mentioned in the Earlier Part, Nabhi-vidya is one of the lesser-known texts of the Sri Vidya tradition. There is no definite information either about its date or its author.

Its text is in the traditional format of conversation (Samvada); and, it takes place between Sri Hayagriva and Sage Agastya. And, it is, by no means, a lucid text; and, is not easy either to understand or to follow. It calls for enormous effort, discipline and dedication, over a long period of time, to practice Nabhi-Vidya-Sadhana. Further, since the Nabhi-Vidya is associated with the Vama-achara modes of worship, it is not in common practice either.

The Nabhi-Vidya, basically, is related to Shodashi-Maha-Shodashi-Mantras; which bestow true knowledge and leads to liberation (Jnana-prada, Moksha-karaka). It is hailed as the most sacred, secretive and powerful Mantra.

In the Nabhi -Vidya, the Shodashi, Maha- Para-Shodashi Mantras of Hadi Vidya, Kadi Vidya and Hadi-Kadi Vidya are mixed and combined in various patterns; out of which, 36 Mantras are generated.

In the Purva-bagha a total of 24 Mantras are elucidated, in three sections; with eight Mantras in each section. These set of 24 Mantras are called as Purvanga-Vidya. This is followed by Raja-Vidya (8 Mantras); and, Nrupathi-Vidya (4 Mantras). These amount to 36 Mantras (24+8+4).

The Mantras from 37 to 40 are four independent Mantras (Matruka; Guru-natha-paduka; Baala; and Para). Thus, there are, in all, 40 Mantras in the Nabhi-Vidya (Matruka, Natha, Baala, Para-yuvathi sametha pathu maam Nabhi-vidyaya ).

The Nabhi-vidya is a compilation of a varied sets of Mantras, related to Srividya, arranged according to a pre-determined order. The Nabhi-Vidya, primarily and essentially, is meant for practice (Sadhana) of Srividya.  There is not much philosophical discussion or theoretical speculation here.

The Epilogue (Uttara-bhaga), which appears following the 40 Mantras, instructs the ardent Sadhaka to chant (Japa) the recommended sets of Mantras, structured as per the formats of the Kadi and Hadi Vidyas, as many times as possible (Yethah Vidyaya yatha-shakthi-japet-nityam) – at least a hundred times in a day.

And, in the Phala-sruthi, it is assured that Nabhi-Vidya is so powerful as that reciting the Nabhi-Vidya once is equivalent to repetition (Japa) of the Pancha-dashi Mantra one Lakh times.  It would also bestow prosperity both here (Iha) and in hereafter (Para); and, will also grant the unshakable (a-chanchala) Self-knowledge (Atma-jnana).

STRUCTURE

Purvanga-Vidya

The Nabhi-Vidya-Dhyana-Sloka, which appears at the commencement of the text, provides the key to its structure; as also to the composition and the arrangement of the verses within it.

The Purvanga-Vidya, the first Part of the Nabhi-Vidya, is composed of three sets, each having eight Mantras (3×8). The clue to its structure is given in the following Dhyana-sloka.

Here, the Katapayadi technique of hashing comes into play; where, certain alphabets carry their numerical values.

Pi (1); Ka (1); Ru (2); Ru (2); Ba (3); La (3):

 It would then read as: 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3.

This relates to the Shodashi-Mantra.

As can be seen, the numerical 1 (one) appears twice. Of these, the first one (1) is said to be associated with the Bija of the Vac (Vac-bija- Aim); and, the latter (1) with Kuta of Vac (Vac-kuta). The sequence would then read as: Aim, Ka, Ye, Ee, La, Hrim. This sequence indicates the first segment of the Shodashi Mantra.

The numeral 2 (two) appears twice. Of these, the first instance of 2 indicates the Bija of Kamaraja (kamaraja-bija- Klim); and, the second (2), the Kamaraja kuta. And, this could be read as Klim, Ha, Sa, Ka, Ha, La, Hrim

The numeral 3 (three) also appears twice. Of these, the first 3 is said be associated with the Bija of the Shakthi (Sau); and, the latter one (3) with the Shakthi Kuta. And, it would then read as: Sau, Sa, Ka, La, Hrim

At the end of these sequences, the Bijakshara Srim would appear.

*

The combination of the three Kutas results in the sixteen-lettered Shodashi-Mantra, as per the Kadi-Vidya. While repeating; the first Kuta will not have its Hṛllekha (हृल्लेख) – Hrim (ह्रीं).

The following would the resultant sequence of the Bijakshara of the Shodashi Mantra as per the Kadi and Hadi Vidyas.

Kadi: Aim, Ka, Ye, Ee, La, Hrim / Klim, Ha, Sa, Ka, Ha, La, Hrim / Sau, Sa, Ka, La, Hrim

ऐं क ए ई ल ह्रीं / क्लीं ह स क ह ल ह्रीं / सौः स क ल ह्रीं / श्रीं

Hadi: Aim- Ha-Sa-Ka-La Hrim / Klim- Ha-Sa-Ka-Ha-La- Hrim / Sauh- Sa-Ka-La/ Hrim … Srim

ऐं ह स क ल ह्रीं / क्लीं  ह स क ह ल ह्रीं / सौः स क ल ह्रीं / – श्रीं

Then, there is the Maha-Shodashi-Mantra, which in fact is composed of 28 Aksharas. Here, the Panchadashi-Mantra of 15 syllables is preceded by 8 letters regarded as Om- kara -pranavas; and, succeeded by 5 letters regarded as Shakthi-pranavas (8+15+5 =28).

Srim, Hrim, Klim, Aim, Sauh; (2) Aum, Hrim, Srim; (3) Ka-Ye-Ee-La-Hrim; (4) Ha-Sa-Ka-Ha-La- Hrim; (5) Sa-Ka-La- Hrim; and, (6) Sauh, Aim, Klim, Hrim, Srim

श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं सौः (5 bīja-s) / ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं (3 bīja-s) / क ए ई ल ह्रीं (5 bīja-s) / ह स क ह ल ह्रीं (6 bīja-s) / स क ल ह्रीं (4 bīja-s) / सौः ऐं क्लीं ह्रीं श्रीं (5 bīja-s )

*

The opening Dhyana-sloka of the Nabhi-Vidya mentions the term Yugma (युग्म), meaning a pair, two or twice. That is meant to suggest that each Kuta of the Mantra has to be uttered twice. Its first utterance should not have the syllable Hrim (ह्रीं). But, when it is uttered second time it should have the Hrim-kara (ह्रीं), which term is named as Hṛllekha (हृल्लेख).

Such mode of recitation has to be applied to each Kuta.

The term Yugma (युग्म) is also meant to suggest that each of such pair of utterances have to be made in the Mantras of both the Kadi and the Hadi Vidyas. And, Hrim-kara (ह्रीं) should be uttered twice at the end of each of its Kuta-s. [ क ए ई ल – क ए ई ल– ह्रीं  ]

In this manner, every Kuta has to be repeated twice – both in their Kadi and Hadi forms.

*

As per the aforesaid procedures, the Maha-Shodashi-Mantra of the Kadi-Vidya would now be read as:

ॐ ऐँ ह्रीँ श्रीँ ऐँ क्लीँ सौः / ऐँ ऐँ / क ए ई ल क ए ई ल ह्रीँ ह्रीँ / क्लीँ क्लीँ / ह स क ह ल ह स क ह ल ह्रीँ ह्रीँ / सौः सौः / स क ल स क ल ह्रीँ ह्रीँ / श्रीँ श्रीँ / सौः क्लीँ ऐँ / श्रीँ ह्रीँ ऐँ ॐ //

Aum- Aim- Hrim- Srim-Aim- Klim-Sauh / Aim- Aim / Ka-Ye-Ee-La Ka-Ye-Ee-La Hrim -Hrim / Klim- Klim / Ha-Sa-Ka-Ha-La- Ha-Sa-Ka-Ha-La- Srim- Srim / Sauh- Sauh / Sa-Ka-La- Sa-Ka-La – Hrim – Hrim / Srim- Srim / Sauh- Klim-Aim / Srim- Hrim-Aim-Aum //

The Mantra in the Hadi-Vidya will also have to be repeated in a similar manner.

*

Now, the opening key sloka mentions the syllable Bha (भ), indicating the number 4. That is meant to say that the Maha-Shodashi-Mantra has to be repeated four times. Each time, as per both the Kadi and Hadi Vidyas. Then, one would have repeated it 8 (4×2) times. While doing so, at the end of the second rendering in each case, the Hrllekha (ह्रीँ) has to be uttered twice (Hrllekha-dvayam).

Further, these eight forms of the Mantras have to be rendered (1) in the sequential order of their letters (Anuloma); (2) in the reverse order of the letters (Viloma); and, (3) in the mixed order (Anuloma-Viloma). That means, three types of recitations for each of the eight mantras.

That would result in (4×2) = 8 x 3 = 24 Mantras.

Arrangement of the Purvanga-vidya

According to these sets of complicated instructions, the patterns, the combinations, the arrangements and the contents of the 24 Mantras (in three sets of eight each) of the Purvanga-Vidya of the Nabhi-Vidya would be as under:

Combinations and Compositions of the Mantras of the Purvanga-Vidya

As per the above-mentioned patterns for arrangement of the Bijakshara-s, the following would be the actual Mantras, in each case:

 

[ I acknowledge with gratitude the Source : http://gokulpoems.blogspot.com/p/nabhi-vidya_1.html ]

In the next part , let us take a look at the Raja-Vidya; Nrupathi -Vidya ; the four Mantras (from 37 to 40) as also at The Epilogue (Uttara-bhaga),

 

Continued

In

Part Three

Sources and References

1.The Tantra of Sri Chakra by Prof. S.K. Ramachandra Rao (Sharada Prakashana, Bangalore,1983)

2.Srividya Shodasha-Maha-Mantramulu by Dr. Krovi Parthasarathy (Vijayawada-2020)

Nabhi-Vidya (Short Works)

Nabhi-Vidya ( a discussion) by Purnananda Lahiri

https://www.manblunder.com/articlesview/para-shodasi-mantra

https://www.manblunder.com/articlesview/maha-shodashi-mantra-explained

ALL IMAGES ARE TAKEN FROM INTERNET