We journey into the heart of a very profound Shaivite text, the Netra Tantra (a.k.a, Mṛtyuñjit Tantra), and delve into a pivotal chapter entitled mṛtyuñjaya-vidyā-nirdeśaḥ, revealing the esoteric "Eye" (Netra) of Lord Shiva.
This "Eye" isn't a physical organ; it's the omniscient, triadic consciousness of Shiva Himself, the source of creation, sustenance, and dissolution. It represents the ultimate knowledge that transcends the fear of death by revealing our inherent identity with the eternal Brahman. The text beautifully articulates Shiva as the three-pathed, three-qualified essence, the embodiment of Will, Knowledge, and Action (Iccha, Jnana, and Kriya Shaktis). Hence, He is called Tryamabaka, the three-eyed one.
Central to this teaching is the potent three-syllabled bija mantra, Oṃ Jūṃ Saḥ (ॐ जूं सः), the condensed essence of immortality earlier revealed in the Rig and Yajur Vedas. Unlike the longer Vedic Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, this powerful three-syllabled mantra directly invokes the flow of Amrita (nectar) and the atman's liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The rhythmic resonance of these seed syllables is said to pierce the knots of ignorance, releasing a cooling flow of Amrita that heals physical ailments and stabilizes the mind in a state of unshakeable peace.
A fascinating insight from the colophon is that the Netra Tantra belongs to the same stream of revelatory teachings as the famed Mṛgendra Tantra. This lineage forms the Mṛgendra-śākhā of the Agamas, whence the Netra Tantra emerged, and reveals a unique, powerful tradition for those seeking the ultimate liberation through the awakened "Eye." This tradition promises not just a long life, but a life lived in the luminous awareness of the eternal Self.
---OM---
The blessed Goddess said:
O Lord of Lords, ruler of the three worlds, benefactor of all beings!
Tell me, I pray, of that true principle, the Eye and the teaching concerning the Eye. 1
The Lord said:
Listen carefully, O attentive Goddess, to the doctrine of the Eye.
That which I have previously spoken — that indeed is the Supreme Lord. 2
This Eye is the supreme secret of all the Vedas.
It is not known as it truly is, even to the wise and devout.
That mystery I now declare to you. 3
I shall reveal to you, O Goddess, my supreme secret:
that which abides within the body of the Great Lord,
possessing three paths and formed of three qualities. 4
That which has three paths, three qualities, and threefold essence;
that alone is called the Eye, the doctrine of the Eye. 5
This three-pathed, three-qualified Brahman is the imperishable Trinity.
The three qualities and the three pursuits of life are established in my heart. 6
that alone is known as the Eye, the Supreme Lord Himself. 7
That which is threefold and three-pathed, of the nature of the three forms,
all this is declared to be the Eye, the teaching concerning the Eye. 8
This truth, O Goddess, is the Eye and the teaching of the Eye.
It is the whole secret, the settled essence of all scripture, spoken by me. 9
This indeed, O Great Goddess, is the Eye and its doctrine,
by which light itself shines forth and all powers are made manifest. 10
This Eye, O Great Goddess, reveals all the principles of reality.
Through it everything is known; that truth is the Supreme Lord. 11
This Deity, O Goddess, is great, all-knowing, and facing every direction.
By this Eye all is guided — that truth is the Supreme Lord. 12
By this Eye the three worlds have vision;
that has been declared the highest truth, the Eye and the teaching of the Eye. 13
This is eternal, the supreme Brahman, the highest Lord,
the Eye and its doctrine established within the heart. 14
That very Brahman, that very Lord —
that same is the Eye and its instruction, the Supreme Lord Himself. 15
This eternal Śiva, O Goddess, is the Eye, the teaching of the Eye,
by which light is made luminous and every power made manifest. 16
This indeed, O Great Goddess, is the Eye and its teaching,
through which everything shines, revealing all powers. 17
The Eye is the teaching of the Eye, the highest truth and the Supreme Lord,
by which all things are known — that truth is the Supreme Lord. 18
This is eternal, the supreme Brahman, the highest and ultimate cause.
The Eye and its doctrine are established within my heart. 19
That very Brahman, that very Lord —
that same is the Eye and its teaching, the Supreme Lord Himself. 20
Now I shall tell you, O Goddess, of the Eye and its doctrine:
the great mantra of the Conqueror of Death, destroyer of all disease. 21
By whom the Mṛtyuñjaya Mantra was spoken — by the great-souled Maheśa —
for the removal of all afflictions and the destruction of every sin. 22
To you, O Queen of the Gods, I shall declare that very Eye, that teaching of the Eye,
the great Mṛtyuñjaya Mantra which removes all disease. 23
Oṃ jūṃ saḥ — encompassing the elements from earth upward —
this is the Eye and its doctrine, the great Mṛtyuñjaya Mantra, source of all illumination. 24
This mantra is the Supreme Brahman, this mantra is the Supreme Śiva.
This mantra is supreme knowledge, this mantra is the supreme goal. 25
This mantra is the supreme Brahman, the highest and ultimate cause,
from which all proceeds, and which is the Supreme Lord Himself. 26
From this everything arises, by it all operates,
and into it all is dissolved — that is the Supreme Lord. 27
Therefore, O Great Goddess, the wise know this as the mantra.
The Eye and its doctrine are that very highest truth, the Supreme Lord. 28
This is the Bindu, the supreme Brahman; this is the Nāda, the Supreme Śiva.
This alone is the Power, the single Supreme Lord. 29
This is eternal, the supreme Brahman; this is eternal, the Supreme Śiva.
This is eternal, supreme knowledge; this is the eternal, highest state. 30
This power is said to be threefold — will, knowledge, and action.
Through their conjunction the whole universe is ordered. 31
The power of will is Brahman itself, the power of knowledge is the Supreme Śiva,
and the power of action, O Goddess, is that same one Supreme Lord. 32
This triad of powers, O Goddess, having become threefold and triadic in nature,
is the supreme Brahman and the supreme state. 33
This is eternal, the supreme Brahman; this is eternal, the Supreme Śiva.
This is eternal, supreme knowledge; this is the eternal, highest state. 34
Thus, O Goddess, I have declared to you the Eye and its doctrine —
the great Mṛtyuñjaya Mantra, destroyer of all disease. 35
This mantra is the supreme Brahman; this mantra is the Supreme Śiva.
This mantra is supreme knowledge; this mantra is the supreme goal. 36
This mantra is the supreme Brahman; this mantra is the Supreme Śiva.
This mantra is supreme knowledge; this mantra is the supreme goal. 37
Thus ends, in the dialogue between Mṛgendra and Śiva, the Second Chapter of the Śrī Netra Tantra (entitled mṛtyuñjaya-vidyā-nirdeśaḥ per tradition)
Śrī Netra Tantra II.1-37.
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