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:-

1. : 4- -

- -

2. : 4-
- -

3. :- 4-
- -

4. :4- -

5. : 4-
- -

6. : 4-
- -

7. :4- -

8. : 4-

9. :4-

- -

10. :4-
- -

11. :4-
-

12. 4-
-
-