Vijnanabhairava, Vijnana-bhairava, Vijñānabhairava: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Vijnanabhairava means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: archive.org: Vijnana Bhairava or Divine ConsciousnessVijñānabhairava (विज्ञानभैरव) is a very ancient book on Yoga. It closely follows the basic principles of Śaivāgama. It contains 112 types of yoga. It has been referred to as Āgama, Śivavijñānopaniṣad, and Rudrayāmalasāra by Abhinavagupta. Yogarāja has referred to it as Śaivopaniṣad. Kṣemarāja has referred to it at many places in his commentary on Śiva-sūtras.
The text of Vijñānabhairava claims to be the quintessence of Rudrayāmala-tantra which means union of Rudra with His Śakti (Spiritual Energy). Tantras contain descriptionso f ritual practices, sacred formulae (mantras), mystical diagrams (yantras), gestures (mudrās), postures (āsanas), initiation (dīkṣā), yoga or mystic practices. Vijñānabhairava is purely a manual of mystic practices in accordance with Śaivāgama.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramVijñānabhairava (विज्ञानभैरव) is a variant for Ciñciṇīnātha, which refers to one of the eight Bhairavas (bhairava-aṣṭaka) associated with Candrapīṭha (or Candrapīṭhapura), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight Bhairavas (bhairavāṣṭaka): Ciñciṇīnātha, Someśvara, Amṛta, Śaṃkara, Trimūrti, Amareśvara, Bhārabhūti, Atithi.—(Note the variant Vijñānabhairava).
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismThe Vigyan Bhairav Tantra (Sanskrit: विज्ञान भैरव तन्त्र, Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra) is a key text of the Trika school of Kashmir Shaivism. Cast as a discourse between the god Shiva and his consort Devi or Shakti, it briefly presents 112 meditation methods or centering techniques (dharanas). These include several variants of breath awareness, concentration on various centers in the body, non-dual awareness, chanting, imagination and visualization and contemplation through each of the senses. A prerequisite to success in any of the 112 practices is a clear understanding of which method is most suitable to the practitioner.
The text is a chapter from the Rudrayamala Tantra, a Bhairava Agama. Devi, the goddess, asks Siva to reveal the essence of the way to realization of the highest reality. In his answer Siva describes 112 ways to enter into the universal and transcendental state of consciousness. References to it appear throughout the literature of Kashmir Shaivism, indicating that it was considered to be an important text in the monistic school of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Vijñānabhairava (विज्ञानभैरव) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[tantric] Report. Xxxii. Oudh. Xi, 30. 32 (
—[commentary]). Np. V, 26 (and—[commentary]). Bp. 275 (from Rudrayāmala). Quoted by Kṣemarāja on Sāmbapañcāśikā 16.
—[commentary] Vijñānabhairavoddyota by Śivasvāmin. K. 50. Np. Vii, 50.
2) Vijñānabhairava (विज्ञानभैरव):—[tantric] Peters. 4, 43. Stein 224.
3) Vijñānabhairava (विज्ञानभैरव):—[tantric] Quoted by Utpala in Spandapradīpikā.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryVijñānabhairava (विज्ञानभैरव):—[=vi-jñāna-bhairava] [from vi-jñāna > vi-jñā] m. Name of [work]
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Bhairava, Vijnana.
Full-text: Dharana, Cincininatha, Shunyata, Samprajnata, Vaisargiki, Lehana, Ritu, Visrishti, Tantra, Rudrayamalatantra.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Vijnanabhairava, Vijnana-bhairava, Vijñāna-bhairava, Vijñānabhairava; (plurals include: Vijnanabhairavas, bhairavas, Vijñānabhairavas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Part 6 - Spanda system—Vibration/movement of consciousness < [Krama system and Trika school]
Part 5 - Three Upayas (means to enter universal God consciousness) < [Philosophy of Kashmir Tantric System]
Part 2 - Emergence of Śaiva philosophy < [Philosophy of Kashmir Tantric System]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 2 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 9 - Prāṇa and its Control < [Chapter XII - The Philosophy of the Yogavāsiṣṭha]
Gitartha Samgraha (critical Study) (by Partha Sarathi Sil)
2. The text of the Gītārthasaṅgraha < [Chapter 2 - Abhinavagupta and the Gītārthasaṅgraha]
3. Other Books Mentioned in the Gītārthasaṅgraha < [Chapter 2 - Abhinavagupta and the Gītārthasaṅgraha]
4. Bhaktiṣaṭka in the Gītārthasaṅgraha < [Chapter 4 - Critical Study of the Gītārthasaṅgraha]
Reviews < [October – December, 1984]