Bhairava and Bhairavi

 Hari Aum.

I have never really been interested previously in the Tantra (in fact, I have generally been wary of it) but, for some peculiar reason, I found myself extremely drawn to Kala Bhairava in the past couple of days (and His worship is key in certain Tantra practices). As I had some extra time this week (being on annual leave), I took the opportunity to learn a little about Him and His worship (as mentioned in my previous post).

As I read about Bhairava and His consort Bhairavi, certain insights seemed to develop regarding Them and particularly with regard to the twin soul dynamic (this is still in the early stages, but I want to share my thoughts here).

In the Puranas, it is said that every human being is a manifestation of the Divine. Every man is said to be a manifestation of Shiva/Narayana, and every woman of Shakti/Lakshmi. This very much seems to apply to the twin soul dynamic. However, it is my observation that there is some similarity specifically between the energy of Bhairava and Bhairavi and respectively the divine masculine and divine feminine.

Bhairava symbolises truth, justice, and particularly tremendous strength and protection. Bhairavi symbolises truth, independence, compassion and strength.

In both, there is a balance between intense desire and the ability to control that desire. There is a fiery nature, a kind side and an intense cutting side. Most of all, between the Bhairava and Bhairavi, there is an intense all-consuming love and attraction. They are forms of the Divine of course, and so ultimately, They represent the Higher Self, the state of Self-Realisation that transcends our human consciousness.

There are various lineages of Tantra practitioners who worship Them in a multitude of ways, ranging from the performance of pujas and homams, and recitation of mantras and specific types of breathwork/pranayama. There are detailed ancient manuals which are said to contain conversations between Shiva and Parvati on the subject.

After my unexpected interest in worshipping Kala Bhairava, I have decided to educate myself a little on the Tantra, specifically related to Bhairava and Bhairavi. I am already a worshipper of Mother Kali, and Bhairavi is none other than Her. I also already worship Lord Shiva, and Lord Bhairava/ Kala Bhairava is one aspect.

I want to say to all twin souls out there-- I feel we have a connection with this particular divine aspect. We can continue of course to worship God/Truth/the Self in whichever way appeals to us (I will of course continue with my Narayana worship). But this is an interesting aspect of our nature in my view and I plan to delve into it further. 

I had a dream two years ago about Shiva working upon a man (the details were hazy and I did not feel I knew him) who appeared to be a Shakta (Goddess-worshipper). I will not go into the details here but it seems to support my theory that twin souls have a connection with Shiva/Bhairava and Shakti/Bhairavi/Kali.

One manifestation of the protective aspect of the Bhairava nature in the twin soul dynamic, appears to be the twin souls attempting to protect other people (including possibly each other) from themselves. Over time, it becomes apparent that this is not at all healthy. Bhairava is truth, and we each have to be true to ourselves. I would say that the feelings between the twin soul pairs is like the connection between the Bhairava and Bhairavi manifestation of the Divine-- it is intense and all-consuming. 

I am going to read a bit about the Tantra, reflect upon it, and write about some general aspects here (that can be useful for any spiritual seeker, including those like myself who are not following a Tantric path; the path of Tantra of course always requires a suitable Guru).

Om Sri ParvatiShivabhyam Namah.

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Hari Aum Tat Sat.

The Kala Bhairava ashtakam

 Hari Aum.

Kala Bhairava is a form of Lord Shiva. He has a fierce form and is particularly associated with the destruction of sins and death (in Sanskrit, 'kala' means 'time', and 'Bhairava' means the 'fierce One').

Lord Shiva has two main aspects-- a sweet, peaceful, auspicious form  (I have described this in a previous post https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/803812822913447625/6919573210704216119).

However, He also has another aspect-- a furious, tremendously energetic form that destroys sin, suffering and negativity. 

Kala Bhairava is one of His particularly fierce forms and is an embodiment of divine power. He is described as being blue-black in colour (like His divine consort, Mother Kali/ Bhairavi). His dark matted locks are decorated with the crescent moon, and celestial serpents ornament His person (as garland, amulets and anklets). 

Like Mother Kali, He holds a skull, symbolising complete annihilation of the lower ego (symbolised by the head). He holds the trident and sword, His divine weapons to destroy suffering, disease and death. He holds the drum, the symbol of cosmic sound and all Creation. 

Although He is extremely fierce in appearance and in His deeds, He is said to have a gentle compassionate aspect, and is particularly known for granting protection (He is known for being a protector of anyone who is vulnerable and of women in particular).

The worship of Kala Bhairava is undertaken by those who walk both the right-hand (dakshina marga) and left-hand (vama marga) spiritual paths. He is worshipped by Tantriks and Aghoris as well as Vedantins. He is worshipped by many for both spiritual and material benefits.

His worship is said to be associated with intense cleansing of past negative karma, thus paving the way to experiencing peace, bliss and spiritual enlightenment. 

There are various famous prayers and slokas dedicated to Him. One particularly well-known one is the Kala Bhairava ashtakam. 

These eight verses in praise of Kala Bhairava were composed by Adi Shankaracharya, great Guru of Advaita Vedanta. 

Listening to or reciting this prayer is said to produce great spiritual benefit in terms of overcoming the effects of past negative karma and experiencing spiritual joy and material wellbeing.

Please see below for links to the Kala Bhairava ashtakam (words and set to music): 

https://greenmesg.org/stotras/shiva/kalabhairava_ashtakam.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkmaPmCRiJA

I discovered the Kala Bhairava ashtakam recently and feel drawn to listen to it these days. It feels like the worshipping the other half of Mother Kali whom I have worshipped for a while (including recently when I visited our family temple dedicated to Her in Kerala). I have been to Kashi previously and would like to visit again sometime when possible and offer worship at the Kala Bhairava temple.

Om Sri KalaBhairavaya Namah.

Om Sri MahaKalikayai Namah.

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Hari Aum Tat Sat

P.S. In these complex times on our planet, it would be useful to pray to Lord Kala Bhairava to protect the Earth, dispel all negative energies and to allow peace to be restored.

P.P.S. Based on some recent experiences, I feel the worship of Kala Bhairava and Mother Kali will help twin souls cleanse themselves of the effects of past negative karma, attain a state of inner peace and achieve a harmonious reunion in the 3D in a form that is in accordance with Divine will.

Hari Aum Tat Sat.

Twin souls: a spiritual void

 Hari Aum.

Now that the festive season is done, and all the external rejoicings and duties have been completed, what remains within for many twin souls is a void. The space where the twin soul fits-- in that space is a void.

Every moment, every hour, every day, every night--- this void remains. There is no escaping it.

No amount of activities, material or spiritual, can fill this void. It just is.

No amount of relationships, work, hobbies, prayers, mantras, tears, conversations, anything, can fill this void. It just exists.

It is a perpetual experience. An endless well. A black hole. It seems to have an unlimited capacity to drain one's thoughts, energies, joy, peace and everything.

Life lacks lustre without the twin. That is simply a fact. 

No matter how wonderful everything appears, the lack of the twin in one's life, feels like something essential is missing. 

It is like having a range of wonderful dishes on a table-- prepared with the best ingredients, the most exotic flavours and spices, but lacking the basic ingredient-- salt. Without a pinch of salt, many dishes that would otherwise taste perfect, taste bland and even repulsive.

This is the reality of life for twin souls. Without the twin, life is like a dish without salt. Salt may not sound particularly romantic or impressive, but it strangely is; it is essential, it is necessary, it is a vital flavour in life.

The twin soul is the salt in the dish of life (quite often they may also feel like an unpleasant bitter taste, and very rarely like a sweet one!).

The ego mind hates to admit this, it hurts to admit this, it feels weak, it feels dependent, it feels wretched. 

But this is simply a fact of life. There is simply nothing that can be done about it.

Like there is nothing that can be done about gravity. It just exists.

I have observed, based on my meeting other people and online readings, that there are currently a number of twin souls out there who are married to perfectly nice people and who have their own families-- and it all looks just fantastic on the outside, and frankly it should be, except it is not fantastic on the inside at all. The universe just does not allow it. It is just appalling. What is to be done about this?

What does the universe want from us all I wonder, from the group of twin souls on this planet? What are we to do? 

There are people who keep telling us that we need to 'go within'. I say to them, 'I have gone within, I have been going within for ages. I continue to go within, I tell you! Going within is all very well, but it is not solving my practical problem-- that the universe itself seems to be pushing me towards the twin. Whenever I look within, there is the twin! What am I to do here?!"

I do not want to approach the twin. I did it already. I feel, rightly or wrongly, that it is their turn. Their turn to manifest a little courage. It takes two to tango and I cannot dance this twin soul dance on my own.

God is not partial to either twin soul or anyone. Let there be equality-- of effort, of wanting to manifest this connection, of wanting a 3D union of some sort, whatever the universe ordains.

I will end this post with a link (which I will also add to my 'twin soul resources' page- please see below). This was recently shared by a friend who also seems to be on a twin soul journey. 

https://www.youtube.com/@TheVoidCompass/videos

I found the videos on this page very interesting and insightful and thought these may be helpful for anyone else on this journey (including my own twin soul if they are lurking on this blog-- if you are missing me, grow some, and get in touch instead of hiding in the background-- I do not bite. And, also, I do ask the Divine Mother to give you some protection-- for some reason, I feel you need it. You and I both know that you particularly have been a major idiot (I have also been an idiot but less than you), but as you and I are part of some common 'soul circuit', I do pray for you just as I pray for myself. I feel this is needed for my own peace and sanity).

Om Sri Durgayai Namah.

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Hari Aum Tat Sat.

P.S. There is much debate among married twin souls as to whether or not they are supposed to end up in physical 3D union with their twin. Some say yes, and some say no. I would politely suggest that this be left to the Divine. 

Every situation, every set of karmas and life purposes is unique. It is not mandatory to 'leave everything' for the twin, nor is it mandatory not to leave everything for them. 

From what I gather, the only mandatory aspect is to be prepared to do the will of the Divine, and this will become clear at every step on the journey - we will be shown what we need to do now and perhaps in the relatively near future (a bit like a torch light shows us the way just ahead but not far into the darkness/the currently unseen distant future).

Hari Aum Tat Sat

2025 and world peace

 Hari Aum.

A happy New Year to all readers-- I hope this year has started well for you. I had travelled to India to visit family in the past few weeks and had a lovely time. I returned a couple of days ago and am still quite jet-lagged so am writing a short post this evening to say only one thing (that I have said before on this blog)-- please pray and recite mantras daily for world peace this year in particular.

There are all sorts of people who are predicting less than entirely happy events for humanity in 2025 to put it mildly (these people range from psychics, to military experts and scientists). There is a sense that this year will see a culmination of events that have been building up for a while, and that wars in particular may escalate significantly.

From a Vedic astrology perspective, there are some rare clusters of planets this year which cannot really be said to be auspicious. There are some positive features about the year astrologically, but there are also some significant challenges.

The overall view in spiritual circles seems to be that this year is not an ordinary one. It can be a time for significant spiritual progress, and it can potentially be very challenging materially for humanity as a whole.

I would therefore like to say three things:

1. Please perform a daily spiritual practice (e.g. chant a mantra of your favourite form of the Divine daily for at least 5 minutes once or twice daily). Do this for your own spiritual and material welfare and for those who are dear to you.

2. In addition to the usual prayers for yourself and your loved ones, kindly pray for the overall welfare of humanity and life on this planet

3. Try to consciously live an ethical life to the best of your ability (adhere to the yogic ethics as much as possible; nobody expects perfection here, however a sincere effort would be helpful).

I hope and pray that, in accordance with the teachings of Sivananda and other Gurus, our combined prayers and mantra recitation will contribute in some measure to peace on this planet.

With regard to my spiritual practice, I am continuing with daily ashtakshara mantra japa as part of my sixth purascharana (carrying on with 7 malas daily). I have completed my Radha sadhana and have now returned to Lakshmi worship (one mini-mala of 27 recitations per day). I have started worship of Lord Skanda (for astrological reasons; will likely write another post on this later).

Om shanti shanti shantih.

Om Sri Durgayai Namah.

Om Namo Narayanaya,

P.S. Due to the recent travel, I was unable to offer the Krishna books that I previously wrote for free download from Amazon over the beginning of the New Year (as has been the habit in the past)-- apologies for this. I will therefore arrange this in the coming 1-2 weeks and update this post with further details in the coming days. In the meantime, please follow Krishna and Guru’s advice to chant and pray for world peace.

Hari Aum Tat Sat.