Dynamics of Rudra Yaga Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Phd

www.himalayaninstitute.orgDynamics of Rudra Yaga Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Rudra is prana shakti, the vibrant life force. This zodiac signs, stars, planets, the four directions, intelligent energy pulls us out of inertia, makes time, the laws of cause and effect, and ultimately, us vibrant and energetic, and puts us on the path the all-pervading force that holds the numberless of inner fulfillment and freedom. It is represented aspects of nature together in harmony. Each step by Rudra—the most energetic form of Shiva— of these preparatory practices is accompanied emerging from the primordial fire. Intent on filling by the recitation of mantras and intricate ritual the universe with life force, Rudra performs his offerings. The main course of Rudra Yaga begins cosmic dance. In response, the goddess Durga, only after these preparatory practices have been an embodiment of immaculate beauty, vigor, completed. and bliss, emerges. The union of the two fills the universe. It is in this universe everyone and The samaya method of Rudra Yaga is totally everything lives and thrives. opposite to the ritualistic method. Here a yogi is led to awaken kundalini shakti at the muladhara Rudra Yaga is one of the most ancient and chakra, located at the perineum. With the help of pristine rituals for accessing Rudra Shakti, the pranayama and mantra japa, kundalini shakti is life-sustaining force within and without. The then brought to the manipura chakra, located at masters in our tradition access this shakti in three the navel center. different ways—kaula, mishra, and samaya. Kaula is a purely ritualistic path, whereas samaya is purely The samaya method of Rudra Yaga is the specialty yogic. The yogis following the method of mishra of the Himalayan Tradition. We are taught to take combine rituals with meditative and pranayama extreme precautions not to get distracted during techniques. Each of these paths has its own unique the upward journey of the vibrant energy from the characteristics. muladhara to the manipura. Finally, we are taught the precise method of meditating at the manipura The ritualistic path of kaula, if followed while chakra. In the tantric tradition, the manipura observing the precise rules of tantra, bears fruit chakra is described as the center of fire. The fire almost instantly. The rituals are elaborate and here is a miniature cosmic fire, the ultimate vortex require the recitation of thousands of mantras of the life force. Rudra Yaga at the navel center unknown to casual seekers and practitioners. opens the floodgates to experiencing the divinity The preparatory steps to the ritual-heavy Rudra that embodies the inexhaustible life force. Only Yaga are lengthy. They consist of invoking the after we have gained access to the navel center benevolent forces of nature that govern, guide, and become fully established there are we taught and nourish the functions of earth, water, fire, how to meditate on the crown center, which air, clouds, lightning, and seasons. These same subsumes all other chakras. The system of Rudra forces nourish and guide our body and mind. The Yaga in the samaya school of tantra uses the preparatory rituals invoke and help us connect human body itself as an altar, and all rituals are with the forces that preside over constellations, completely internalized.

The mishra method of Rudra Yaga combines happiness, adepts and aspirants undertook mega- ritualistic kaula and yogic samaya. In this system, sized group practices such as Rudra Yaga. In this the purpose of rituals is to awaken the forces of way, enlightened souls restored peace to society, nature and guide them to awaken the power that brought nature into balance, and created an lies dormant in the various chakras. A specific environment where people can live without fear segment of rituals and the power engendered and sorrow. by them awakens the inherent power of the first three chakras and brings it to the heart center. As part of our daily practice, Rudra Yaga could This process frees us from fear, doubt, insecurity, be short. We can complete it in one to three and grief. It infuses us with self-confidence, self- hours’ time. But when Rudra Yaga is performed trust, courage, and determination. Other parts of to influence a collective consciousness, then the rituals awaken the forces inherent in the higher the length, depth, size, and complexity of the chakras, mainly the center between the eyebrows. practice expand proportionately. Depending on This frees us from confusion and the cravings that the size of our desired outcome, it may take a create turmoil from inside. Finally, the main course few days, weeks, months, or even a few years to of Rudra Yaga commences. complete the practice. During the Kumbha Mela, for example, the scope of the practice is such that At the outset, most students in our tradition it will be completed in 12 days. Such a large-scale are led through the disciplines of mishra, which practice of Rudra Yaga must be preceded by the combine both the ritualistic approach of kaula practice of Sri Vidya, the motherly manifestation and the yogic approach of samaya. The reason for of the Divine Being. The practice of Sri Vidya this is that the anatomy both of the mind and of builds a strong base for collecting and containing the pranic force, which pervades and permeates the vibrant and often overwhelming shakti of every nook and cranny of our body, is so subtle Rudra Yaga. that it is an impenetrable mystery. Therefore, the practice of samaya is difficult for most seekers in Sri Vidya is the embodiment of the tantric the beginning. Ritualistic practices are somewhat experience—all forms of tantric practices are easier. The majority of tantric texts are ritual subsumed in it. Sri Chakra is the visual expression manuals. Learned tantrics break lengthy rituals of Sri Vidya. Sri Chakra allows us to identify the into smaller steps, and rearrange them in a manner supreme power of intelligence, tracing it from its conducive to accomplishing the intended goal. most subtle form to its most visible, manifest form.

Once the ritualistic portion of the mind, we Sri Chakra is made of nine circuits, with a dot can apply the same procedure to awaken and in the center representing transcendental love, become fully connected to our inner core. Unlike beauty, and joy. Each circuit of the Sri Chakra is the internal practice of Rudra Yaga, a group composed of a cluster of divinities. These divinities of adepts and aspirants can participate in the correspond to different forces in the universe and ritual-driven practice of Rudra Yaga. This group in our own body and mind. For example, there are practice creates a collective consciousness that 28 divinities in the outermost circuit of Sri Chakra. is transforming both at a micro and macro level. These divinities govern the forces that control In the past, whenever society was suffering from and nourish our physical world, and each has its upheaval and unable to supply the nourishment corresponding mantras. Although independent in necessary for stable health, wealth, peace, and their own right, collectively these divinities work

toward a common goal—our ultimate freedom and practice of Sri Chakra. In order to include high- fulfillment. As we go deeper into the circuits of Sri minded seekers and friends in the practice and Chakra, our quest becomes increasingly refined help create a collective consciousness, we resolve and fulfilling. to do Sri Chakra worship with rituals.

Just as with Rudra Yaga, the worship of Sri Chakra Both the moderately elaborate and the extremely can be relatively simple, moderately elaborate, or elaborate practice of Sri Chakra automatically extremely elaborate. During auspicious occasions, include practices pertaining to the divinities that we worship Sri Chakra moderately in honor of constitute Guru pitham, Vishvedeva pitham, and the forces that are constantly providing us with Yogini pitham. These three pithams (altars) have guidance and nourishment. Moderately elaborate their designated spaces, and at these altars we practice is often goal-driven and done by a group invoke the guiding forces of the lineage (Rishis), of practitioners. In other words, it is a group the benevolent forces of creation (Vishvedeva), practice. Yogis in our tradition arrange a group and the 64 Yoginis that preside over the infinitely practice of Sri Chakra for the welfare of society or vast range of our samskaras, subtle traces of our to restore nature’s equilibrium. karmas, thought processes, and temperaments.

Extremely elaborate practice is done at highly After completing the moderately elaborate significant times, such as during thesandhi of practice of Sri Chakra, we can begin the practice two yugas. Sandhi means “joint” or “transition.” of Rudra Yaga. Just as Divine Mother Sri Vidya There are times when the forces of light and is worshipped in Sri Chakra, the Rudra Yaga is darkness clash—both forces are at their peak, performed in the Rudra Yantra that is installed both are unyielding, and a collision could wipe on the Rudra pitham, the altar designated for the out thousands of years of human achievement. At practice of Rudra Yaga. such times, we undertake the extremely elaborate

This altar is the seat of Rudra. Rudra is prana insurmountable situations; Ganesha, the one who shakti, the vibrant life force. Rudra presides over removes the obstacles from our path; Nandi, the our health and longevity. It is the primordial pool one who infuses our mind and heart with courage, of healing force. The yantra of Rudra consists of enthusiasm, and joy; and, Batuka Bhairava, the eight avarna, circuits of shaktis. The innermost one who infuses our mind and heart with intuitive circuit is composed of a circle, and is the locus wisdom and indomitable will. for the power of Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. Surrounding this circle, there are seven circuits, We’ll conduct Rudra Yaga while keeping the each consisting of eight petals. These petals Rudra Yantra at the center of our sadhana. The serve as a locus for fifty-six shaktis that ensure invocation and propitiation of the cluster of we live a healthy, happy, peaceful, and fulfilling divinities will follow the method of right-hand life. They grant the protection and guidance we tantra as taught in the Sri Vidya tradition. We’ll need in our worldly and spiritual quests. The last enter from the northern gate of Rudra Yantra, circuit is a square with four gates. Since four with the blessings and guidance of Divine Mother prominent divinities guard these gates, those Durga, and continue moving from outside in, divinities are viewed as our guardians. They are clockwise, to finally reach the center. More clearly, Durga, the force that pulls us out from helpless, the steps of the practice are as follows:

1. Invocation and puja of the first circuit, 5. Invocation and puja of Vishva, Vidya, etc.— consisting of the four gates, that begins with eight shaktis that manifest in us in the form of the invocation of Divine Mother Durga and the creativity and ingenuity other three divinities 6. Invocation and puja of Rama, Raka, etc.—eight 2. Invocation and puja of eight loka-palas, the shaktis that manifest as beauty, tranquility, and protectors of the directions, or the divinities sustainability who provide directions in life 7. Invocation and puja of Sharva, Bhava, 3. Invocation and puja of Dhara, Uma, etc.—eight etc.—eight shaktis that serve as a locus for shaktis that bring stability in life everything that exists, and hold the entire web of life together in a mutually supportive 4. Invocation and puja of Arya, Prajna, etc.— manner eight shaktis that infuse us with clarity, intuitive wisdom, and power of discrimination 8. Invocation and puja of the innermost divinity, Rudra, the primordial pool of life

After this lengthy invocation, the fire offering begins. The fire offering is done exactly in the same order as the invocation, and is concluded with a cluster of 123 mantras, collectively known as Shata Rudriya. Inclusive to this practice is the structured study of scriptures enabling us to understand and assimilate the energy Rudra Yaga emits. It is important to remember that Rudra Yaga is one of the rarest and most sacred of spiritual practices for awakening the force of change, and should be undertaken with reverence and enthusiasm.