The meaning and importance of the Aghora Mantra

In these turbulent times, we feel it is important to share this vital mantra and make it available to all that may desire its benefit.

This recording was made as a special lecture during the weekly sangha.
You can watch replays of the Weekly Sanghas on Abhinavagupta’s Bhagavad Gita in the Light of Kashmir Shaivism here.

अघोरेभ्योऽथ घोरेभ्यो घोरघोरतरीभ्यश्च ।

सर्वतः शर्व सर्वेभ्यो नमस्ते रुद्ररूपेभ्यः ॥

aghorebhyo tha ghorebhyo ghoraghoratarībhyaśca  /

sarvataḥ śarva sarvebhyo namaste rudrarūpebhyaḥ  //

 

The following extract on the nature of Svacchandanātha, also known as Aghoranātha (the lord of the three Aghora energies) is taken from: “Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism, the Oral Teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo,” chapter 4, Talks on Discipline.

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When we study the Śaiva Scriptures we must always remember that these scriptures were narrated by Lord Śiva Himself in the form of Svacchandanātha (Aghoranātha).

Svacchandanātha, while creating these Tantras through His five mouths, possessed eighteen arms. These eighteen arms are symbols of the eighteen elements or tattvas. These tattvas are offshoots of His five great śaktis:

1. Cit-śakti gives rise to one element, manas-tattva, the element of mind.
2. Ānanda-śakti gives rise to two elements, buddhi and ahaṁkāra, the elements of intellect and ego.
3. Icchā-śakti gives rise to five elements, which are the five vital airs (vāyu) of the body. These are prāṇa, apāna, samāna, udāna, and vyāna.
4. Jñāna-śakti also gives rise to five elements, known as the jñānendriyas; these are the five elements of knowledge, which are smell (ghrāṇa), taste (jihvā), touch (tvak), sight (cakṣuḥ), and hearing (śrotra).
5. Kriyā-śakti gives rise to the five elements of action, the five karmendriyas.

These eighteen arms of Lord Śiva, in the form of Svacchandanātha, are created by Lord Śiva for the protection of the individual, but in order to receive this protection, the individual must adhere to divine discipline (yamas and niyamas). If you carefully follow what I have said, there is no question that Lord Śiva in the form of Svacchandanātha will protect you with His wonderful eighteen arms and, through His shining Grace, reveal Himself to you.

Īśvara-praṇidhāna is the final and supreme niyama. It means love and devotion to God. The love of Lord Śiva creates devotion. If you love Lord Śiva and are devoted to Him, it is not possible for Him to neglect you. He will reveal Himself to you and purify you with his glorious eighteen arms. He will help you enter into the realm of God Consciousness.

Kashmir Shaivism – The Secret Supreme

The Birth of the Tantras

In the beginning of satyuga Lord Śiva appeared in the form of Svacchandanātha. As Svacchandanātha, He appeared with five heads and eighteen arms. His five heads came into manifestation through his five great energies:

1. Cit śakti – all consciousness;
2. Ānanda śakti – all bliss;
3. Icchā śakti – all will;
4. Jñāna śakti – all knowledge; and
5. Kriyā śakti – all action.

These five energies appeared in His five mouths which are known as: Īśāna, Tatpuruṣa, Sadyojāta, Vāmadeva and, Aghora and these five energies got the sensation of illuminating the universe (anugraha). And this grace came out through Lord Śiva’s five acts of: creation, protection, destruction, concealing and revealing, for the purpose of illuminating the whole universe.

END

 

You can download the PDF files we shared in the video…

• Swamiji’s letter about the Aghoras
• Efficacy of the Aghora Mantra

All content copyright @ John Hughes