Avastha Cathushtaya(From Gyaanaarnava tantraa)

One of the oldest Tantra of the Sri Kulaa is gyaanaarnava tantraa, which is

frequently quoted by all commentators. Apart from the regular rituals and

mantras, there are explicit references to the twelve aspirant methodology of

the Sri Vidya upaasanaa. Each is unique in nature. The following are the

mantras said:-

1. : 2. : 3. : 4. : 5. : 6. : 7. : 8. : 9. : 10. : 11. : 12. :

Of the above twelve vidyaas the ten vidyaas are having three parts (), the sankaras vidyaa is having four parts ()and vishnus vidyaa has six parts ( ).In the next chapter we find the most secret shodasi mantra. The first type of shodasi

( ) is called jaagrat ( ) pure efflugence of sakti ( ), is saatvic in nature( ), has four aspects ().- Creation, wakened state, awareness and discrimination of mind inputs ( ). This is revaled as addition of the hrllekhaa and sri bija in front of the above said vidyaas, considering

these bijas as also as parts (), will make the first ten vidyas from three to five parts ( ) , shakaraas vidya ( ) from four to six parts and vishus vidyaa from six to eight parts( ).

Thus these mantras are seen as

1. : 2. : 3. : 4. : 5. : 6. : 7. :

8. : 9. : 10. : 11. : 12. :

The second type of shodasi ( ) is called shushupti ( ) pure efflugence of shiva ( ), is taamasic in nature( ), has four aspects ().which are - Death like state, forgetfulness of diversity, immobilization like a faint and deep sleep

( ). This is revaled as addition of the pranava in front of the above said vidyaas, thus making the first ten vidyaas to four parts () , shakaraas vidya to five parts ( )and vishnus vidyaa to seven parts( ).

Thus these mantras are seen as

1. : 2. : 3. : 4. : 5. : 6. : 7. : 8. : 9. : 10. : 11. : 12. :

The third type of shodasi ( ) is called svapna () which is seen at the end of shushupti and beginning of jaagarat ( ) is of nature of both shiva and shakti ( ), is raajasic in nature( ), has four aspects ().which are- desires fulfillment, confusion, deep thought analysis , remembering things again and again ( ). In above two vidyaa sushupti is donoted by by pranava and Jaagrat is hrllekhaa and sri bijas This is revaled

as addition of the pranava, hrllekhaa and sri bijaas in this order before the above said

vidyaas- since the above says shushuptyante jaagradaadaw, thus making the first ten

vidyaas to six parts ( ) , shakaraas vidya to seven parts ( )and vishnus vidyaa to nine parts( ).

Thus these mantras are seen as

1. : 2. : 3. : 4. : 5. : 6. : 7. : 8. : 9. : 10. : 11. : 12. :

The most highly venerated shodasi ( ) is called turyaa () which is seen at the end of jaagarat and beginning of sushupti ( )) is of the exalated moving state of both shiva and shakti ( ), is above gunaas(), has aspects ().which are- attached detachment, yearning for the highest experiential knowledge, unstained mind( ). This is revaled as addition of the Sri, Hrllekha, kamakalaa, vaagbhava and paraa bijaas on the

above third said sodasi variations with a reverse of the said five bijas in the end. Thus

we have ten bijas added to the said variations making the first ten vidyaas as sixteen

syllable () (-the three kutaas are to be considered as bijaas here), shakaraas vidya to seventeen syllable () and vishnus vidyaa to nineteen syllables ( )

Thus these mantras are seen as

1. : 2. :

3. :

4. : 5. :

6. :

7. : 8. :

9. :

10. : 11. :

12. :

The following is a compilation of all the shodasi variations of an individual upasaka as said above:-

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2. : 4- - -

3. :- 4- - -

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5. : 4- - -

6. : 4- - -

7. : 4- -

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8. : 4- -

9. : 4- - -

10. : 4- - -

11. : 4- -

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12. 4- - -