To begin with, I will explain to you the nature of that which
is known as the tattvas, or elements. In Vedanta we are told that
there are only twenty-five tattvas; however, in Saivism we
know that there are really thirty-six tattvas. These thirty six
tattvas are the most important points for entering into Saivism.
I will give the explanation of the tattvas in the manner of rising
not descending . We must rise up to Parama Siva. I prefer
rising, not descending, so we must rise. I will, therefore,
explain the grossest element 'earth' first and then proceed to
explain subtler and subtler elements, until we reach the subtlest
element, t'ie finest, which is Parama Siva.
36 TATIVAS - 36 ELEMENTS
Panca mahiibhiitas - Five Great Elements
prithvi = earth
jala = water
tejas = fire
viiyu = air
iikiisa = ether
1
KASHMIR SHAIVISM "The Secret Supreme"
Paiica tanmiitras - Five Subtle Elements
gandha = smell
rasa = taste
rupa, = form
sparsa = touch
sabda = sound
Paiica karmendriyas - Five Organs of Action
upastha creative
payu = excretion
piida = foot
piil}i = hand
viik = speech
Paiica jiiiinendriyas - Five Organs of Cognition
ghriil}a = nose, organ of smelling
rasana = tongue, organ of tasting
cak~u = eye, organ of seeing
tvak = skin, organ of touching
srotra = ear, organ of hearing
Anta~kara1Jas - Three Internal Organs
manas
buddhi~
ahamkiira
prakriti
puru~a
=
=
=
=
=
mind
intellect
ego connected with
objectivity
nature
ego connected with
subjectivity
2
Thirty Six Elements (Tattvas !
Sar kaiicukas - Six Coverings
niyati = limitation of place
kiila = limitation of time
raga = limitation of attachment
vidyii = limitation of knowledge
kalii = limitation of action (creativity)
miiyii = illusion of individuality
Suddha tattvas - Pure Elements
suddha vidyii = 1-ness in I-ness-Thisness in
Thisness
isvara = Thisness in I-ness
sadiisiva = I-ness in Thisness
sakti = I-ness
siva = I-ness (Being)
We will begin, therefore, from the lowest degree of the
tattvas, which are the gross tattvas. The gross tattv(ls are called
the paiica-mahiibhiitas, the five great elements. They are the
tattvas of prithvi (earth), jala (water), tejas (fire), viiyu (iiir),
and iikiisa ( ether). The element "ether" is not a perceptible element,
such as the elements earth, air, fire, and water. Rather, it
is space, unoccupied space. It gives you room to move. It is
that element in which the other four gross elements have room
to exist. We could say that it is a special vacuum which is filled
by the other four great elements. These tattvas are gross and
are called mahiibhiitas (great elements) because the whole universe
is based on these five elements.
After the five mahiibhiitas, you move up to the five tanmiitras.
The five tanmiitras correspond to the five mahiibhiitas.
Gandha tanmiitra arises from the element of earth (prithvi tattva).
The word gandha means "smell"; however, it is not exact-
3
KASHMIR SHAIVISM "The Secret Supreme"
ly smell, it is the abode of smell, where smell liv~s. And that
abode of smell is called ganda tdnmatra. '1 he next tanmiitra,
rasa tanmiitra, has come out from the element of water (jala
mahiibhuta). Rasa tanmiitra is the residence of the impression
of taste (rasa). And then from the element of fire (tejas mahiibhuta)
issues forth rupa tanmiitra. Though the word rupa
means form, rupa tanmiitra is not exactly form; it is the residence
of form, where the impression of form resides. This residence
·is called rupa tanmiitra. From the element of air (viiyu
mahiibhuta) rises sparsa tanmiitra, which is the tanmiitra of
touch, the sensation of touch. This tanmiitra is the residence of
the sensation of touch. And finally, rising from the element of
ether ( iikiisa mahiibhuta) is sabda tanmiitra, the tanmiitra of
sound. This is the residence of the sensation of sound.
After the five tanmiitras come the five tattvas, which are
known as the five karmendriyas, the five organs of action.
These organs of action are viik, pii,:ii, piida, piiyu, and·upastha.
The first karmendriya is viik tattva, the organ of speech. Next
is piini tattva. The word piini means "hand." Pii,:ii is that organ
of action by which you take and give. Then comes piida tattva.
The word piida means "foot." It is the organ by which you
move about. It is the organ of locomotion. Next is piiyu tattva,
which is the active organ of excretion. It is the organ of passing
stools. The fifth and last karmendriya is upastha tattva.
Upastha tattva is that karmendriya, that organ of action which
is the active organ of sex and urination, the organ by which sex
is performed and by which one urinates.
The next five tattvas are the five organs of cognition
(knowledge) and are known as the fivejniinendriyas. These are
the mental organs with which we experience the world. These
five organs are ghrii,:ia, rasanii, cak~u, tvak, and srotra. The
first jniinendriya is ghrii(ia tattva. The word ghrii,:ia means
"nose." The use of the word nose does not refer to breathing;
4
'
Thirty Six Elements (Tattvas)
rather, nose is used here to indicate smell. This is the organ of
cognition by which you smell. It creates odors. The next tattva
is rasanii tattva. Rasanii means "tongue." Here the use of the
word tongue does not refer to speech but to taste because,
athough speech also comes from the tongue, it is an organ of
action, not an organ of cognition. Rasanii tattva is that organ of
cognition by which you taste. It creates flavors. Now follows
cak.ru tattva. The word cak.ru means "eye." It is that organ of
cognition by which you see. It creates form (riipa!J). The fourth
jiiiinendriya is tvak tattva. Tvak means "skin." It is the organ of
cognition by which you feel. It creates touch. The last organ of
cognition is srotra tattva. Srotra means "ear." It is that organ of
cognition by which you hear. It creates sound.
All of the above twenty elements;-the five mahiibhiitas,
the five tanmiitras, the five karmendriyas, and the five jiiiinendriyas,-
are called gross elements. They are all objective elements.
The following elements, as we continue rising in our
explanation of the tattvas, are said to be objective cum subjective
elements. You should understand though that, in Sa1v1siii',
aITlhe elements are really objective elements. They are called
objects. Only that Super Being is subjective. Yet, as the following
elements are a bit more connected to subjectivity than
the former, we say that they are objective cum subjective elements.
Now we rise to the three tattvas which are known as the
anta!Jkara,:ias. The word anta!Jkara,:ias means "internal
organs." The three internal organs are manas (mind), buddhi!J
(intellect), and aharizkiira (ego).
Manas tattva, the element of mind, is said in Sanslqit to be
sarizkalpasiidhana, the means by which you create thought.
This could be any thought, such as, "I am going there, I will go
there, I have done this, I have done that." This is the action of
manas. The action of buddhih tattva, the element of intellect, is
5
KASHMIR SHAIVISM "The Secret Supreme"
to confirm whether I should do this or not. This is the field of
the confirmation of the rightness of any proposed action,
whether intellectual or moral, because, first, you must determine
the rightness of a proposed decision or action and then
make a choice dependent on this rightness. You ask yourself
internally, "Should I perform this action or not? Is this the right
decision or not?" The buddhi will reply to you, "No, you
should not do it," or "Yes, you should do it." "This is bad, it is
wrong to do it." "This is good, you should do it." "This answer
is right, this answer is wrong." All this is done by the intellect.
Aharizkiira tattva is the element of ego which is connected
with objectivity. When you attribute any action or knowledge
to your self, such as, "I have done this and it was a mistake, I
have done that and I ought not to have done it," or "I did a
wonderful thing today which will benefit me a lot," this is the
action of aharizkiira tattva. It creates limited "I" consciousness,
the limited ego which is connected with objectivity.
Rising still further, we come to the two tattvas of prakriti
and puruea. These two tattvas are interdependent. Prakriti is
dependent upon puruea and puruea is dependent upon prakriti.
Prakriti is the element which is known as "nature." It is the
field where the three tendencies arise and flow forth. These
three tendencies are known as the three gu,:zas, the three qualities.
They are, respectively sattva, rajas, and tamas. Prakriti is
the combination of these three gu,:zas but without any distinction.
The three gu,:ias emerge from prakriti and thus it is ·said
that the three gu,:ias are not in the field of the tattvas. They are
not to be considered as tattvas because they are created by
prakriti. Tattvas are creators, they are not created. It is, therefore,
not the gu,:ias which are tattvas but their creator prakriti.
And that which responds to that prakriti, which owns that
prakriti, is called puruea.
Up to this point, I have explained twenty-five tattvas; five
mahabhiitas, five tanmatras, five karmendriyas, five jnanen-
6
Thirty Six Elements (Tattvas)
driyas, three anta!Jkarai:ias, prakriti, and puru$a. This is the
limit of the Vedantin's understanding of the tattvas. They say
that there are only twenty-five tattvas. Yet in Saivism, nothing
as yet has happened. All these tattvas exist in the field of maya,
in the field of objectivity.
In Saivism, puru$a is not a realized soul. Puru$a tattva is
bound and limited just as ahamkara tattva is. The only difference
between puru$a and ahamkara is that puru$a is connected
with subjectivity and ahamkara is connected with objectivity.
And this puru$a is entangled and bound in five ways, which
are the five kaiicukas: niyati, kala, raga, vidya, and kala.
First, there is niyati tattva. The function of niyati tattva is to
put the impression in puru$a that he is residing in a particular
place and not in all places. You are residing in a houseboat near
the First Bridge and you are not residing simultaneously at
lshiber near Nisha!. You are residing,in Kashmir; you are not
residing simultaneously in Australia or Canada. This is the limitation
which niyati tattva causes for puru$a; that one is residing
in a particular place and not everywhere.
Next comes kala tattva. The word kala means "time." The
action of kala tattva is to keep puru$a in a particular period, the
victim of being in a particular period. For instance, you are 25
years old, I am 64 years old, and he is 43 years old. This limitation
is the result of the action of kala tattva.
The third tattva by which puru$a is limited is known as raga
tattva. Raga means "attachment." This is that attachment
which results from not being full. The action of raga tattva is
to leave the impression in puru$a that he is not full, that he is
not complete, and that he must have this or that to become full.
He feels a lack which he must fill. This is the function of raga
tattva in limiting puru$a.
The fomth tattva which limits puru$a is vidya tattva. Vidya
means "knowledge." The action of vidya tattva is to put the
impression in puru$a that he has this or that particular and lim-
7
KASHMIR SHAIVISM "The Secret Supreme"
ited knowledge, that he is not all-knowing for he knows only
some limited things.
The fifth and final bondage and limitation for puru$a is kalii
tattva. Ka/ii tattva creates the impression in puru$a that he has
some particular creativity, some particular artistic talent. He
has mastered the· art of writing, or the art of music, or the art of
medicine; however, he does not have unlimited creativity. He
is good at some things and not all things.
These five bondages of puru$a are caused by puru$a's ignorance
of his own nature. And this ignorance is another tattva,
which is known as miiyii tattva. These five tattvas are created
by miiyii for puru$a. That puru$a who is the victim of miiyii,
therefore, does not know his .own real nature and becomes
bound and entangled by these five (kancukas) and thus
becomes a victim of prakriti. He takes on individuality and
becomes a limited individual.
These five tattvas plus miiyii are known as $at kancukas (the
six-fold coverings). These are the six coverings which bind and
entangle and, therefore, limit puru~a. He is not limited by only
one covering but by six and these coverings must be removed,
and this is done automatically by the grace of the Master.
Through this grace, at the time of real knowledge, miiyii is
transformed into His sakti, His great energy. In His glory, miiyii
becomes the glory of Parama Siva. When puru$a realizes the
reality of his nature, miiyii becomes glory for him.
We have completed our examination of those tattvas, from
the antaJ;kara,:zas to miiyii, which are connected with objectivity
cum subjectivity. We will now rise to those tattvas which
are connected with pure subjectivity. This is the subjective
course to be entered into by puru$a for rising from pure subjectivity
to purer subjectivity to purest subjectivity.
Pure subjectivity is found in the tattva known as suddhavidyii
tattva. This exists when puru$a actually realizes his own
nature. And yet that realization is not stable; it is flickering, it
8
Thirty Six Elements (Tattvas)
is moving. This is the realization at the level of suddhavidya
tattva. This realization is in motion. Sometimes you realize it,
sometimes you forget it. And the experience (paramarsa) of
suddhavidya tattva is, "I am Siva, this universe is in duality.
This universe is unreal, I am Siva." This is the impression
which comes in suddhavidya tattva and it is pure subjectivity.
Now purer subjectivity will come in the next two tattvas,
isvara tattva and sadasiva tattva. In isvara tattva, you realize,
"This universe is my own expansion. This universe is not an
illusion, it is my own expansion." The realization which takes
place in sadasiva tattva is the same as the realization which
takes place in isvara tattva, but more refined. In sadasiva tattva,
you realize,"! am this whole universe." This is the difference
between these two impressions. In isvara tattva, you have
the impression, "This universe is my own expansion," whereas
in sadasiva tattva, you will find "I myself am this whole
universe." These two tattvas comprise subjectivity in a purer
form.
Now in the final two tattvas, we come to subjectivity in its
purest form. These two tattvas are the interdependent tattvas:
sakti tattva and siva tattva. The impression which comes in
these two tattvas is only I, the pure I, the universal I. It is not
"this universe is my own expansion" or "I am this whole universe."
No, it is just I, pure I, universal I.
Last is that Being which does not come in the cycle of
tattvas that Being called Parama Siva. Parama Siva is not only
found in siva tattva or in sakti tattva. It is not only here, not
only there. You will find It everywhere. You will find It from
the lowest tattva to the highest. It is all levels, and therefore no
level. It is everywhere, that is why It is nowhere. The one
Being who is everywhere, It is nowhere.

SVĀTANTRYA ŚAKTI IS THE CAUSE So, in the reflection of the universe, the substitute cause of this reflection, is His [Lord Shiva’s] free svātantrya śakti. By His free will, this reflection has taken place in the mirror of Consciousness, but there is not any reflected object (bimba), because everything is in the mirror of Consciousness. This kongari (fire pot) is in the mirror of Consciousness, and the reflection of this kongari is also in the mirror of Consciousness – this and this, both. So everything, whatever exists in this universe, is only a reflection in the mirror of Consciousness. And by the attribution of inserting the reflection – pratibimba – He becomes one with the reflection (the reflected becomes one with the reflection). So, in the mirror of Consciousness, the reflection takes place by His own sweet will, not by the grace of any reflected object, but by the force of His own svātantrya śakti. When a sādhaka [aspirant] feels that this whole universe, which is expanded variously in the universe, then, he sees, he observes, that this whole universe which is expanded, fully, completely, is only a reflection in one’s own consciousness. For instance, if he observes this whole universe as the reflection in the mirror of consciousness, he experiences at the same time that this whole universe is my own nature from Śiva to earth; all these thirty-six elements are one with me, and this whole universe to be only one body, one body of his Conscious Being. By this process of contemplation he becomes viśveśvara, he becomes the master of universe. So, Lord Śiva has put forth the explanation of the mode of pratibimba (reflection), and the mode of darpaṇa (mirror), just for this purpose that our mohaḥ (our illusion) will disappear. Bas, here ends the Pratibimabavāda. [ END OF CHAPTER FOUR ]   Extracts from Bodhapañcadaśikā (fifteen verses of wisdom) by Abhinavagupta    स एव भैरवो देवो जगद्भरणलक्षणः । स्वात्मादर्शे समग्रं हि यच्छक्त्या प्रतिबिम्बितम् ॥४   sa eva bhairavo devo jagad-bharaṇa-lakṣaṇaḥ / svātmādarśe samagraṁ hi yacchaktyā pratibimbitam  // 4 //   This whole universe is created by God in his own nature, i.e., just as you find the reflection of the universe in a mirror. So this whole universe is created just like as the whole universe you feel in a mirror. It is just the reflection of Lord Śiva. This whole universe is just pratibimba [reflection], it is not in such a way created that it is separate from Lord Śiva. It is created as a city is found in a mirror. BRUCE P: But there is no city separate from the mirror; there is only the city on the mirror? SWAMIJI: City on the mirror, there is no separate city.  In place of a separate city there is svātantrya, by ‘his freedom’ he has created this whole universe in his own nature. JOHN: Just like a reflection in a mirror. SWAMIJI: Yes.   And that which gives reflection is not the universe, it is the svātantrya of Lord Śiva. By svātantrya he has created this universe in his own nature. Do you understand sir? So this outside universe is created just for the sake of realizing his own nature. That is why it is called Śakti. This whole universal state is called Śakti, this is the means to realize ones own nature. BRUCE P: But without Śakti, Śiva did not realize . . . ? SWAMIJI: Śiva cannot be realized.  Śakti is the source to realize Śiva! BRUCE P: Yes, but you said that, “this was created so that he could realize his own nature.” Before creation what was he?  SWAMIJI: No, the knowledge was there, but it was centralized in his own nature. But he wants that nature to be recognized by himself, yes.  So how can he recognize?  He must become ignorant first, then he can recognize. BRUCE P:  Why should he want to recognize . . . why should he want to? SWAMIJI:  It is svātantrya [Lord Śiva’s independent freedom].  Because if he does not recognize it, what is the fun of the universe? Universe is created just to recognize his own nature. JOHN: Just for fun. SWAMIJI: Just for fun, yes . . . it is svātantrya. This is why in Shaivism this is svātantrya vāda [theory of svātantrya] everywhere. If he were only Śiva . . . he was there, he was in his full splendor of God consciousness, but when fullness has overflowed, you know what happens afterwards? He wants to remain incomplete, he wants to appear as incomplete, just to achieve completion.  So this is the svātantrya, this svātantrya has created this whole universe.  So in the universe there is ignorance, and for ignorance you want to get rid of that ignorance. And there is a way, there is a way, that in the activity of the world you will meditate and bas, reach the state of God Consciousness. So this is the fun of svātantrya. And at the moment he realizes his nature from ignorance to knowledge, he experiences at that very moment that, it was already there! This is the proof, this is the proof of his being already filled with knowledge, in ignorance also!  In ignorance also, when this ignorance vanishes from that individual, he experiences and this memory comes in his mind, “that it was already there, it was already there.” This memory comes at the time of knowledge, at the time of existence of God Consciousness. ERNIE: So there was never really any separation at all? SWAMIJI: No, there was never . . . separation seems to be by svātantrya [His independent free will].   And only Lord Śiva can just ignore his own nature totally, altogether, by his own svātantrya. For instance, see in a rock, “where is the existence of Lord Śiva?” In a rock there is nothing, it is just a rock. BRUCE P: That is what he sees? SWAMIJI: Yes, he wants to disconnect his God Consciousness altogether in his creation, and see that it is not disconnected. Although it is disconnected, it is not disconnected. In real sense it is not disconnected.  If you are life-full, how can you become without life? You cannot! But he can, Lord Śiva can become without life; altogether just disconnected totally from God Consciousness – He can do it! So it is atidurghaṭa kāritā is attributed to Lord Śiva only. And it is a supreme way of acting . . . this kind of drama is a super-drama.  For instance, you can play parts – but with life – you cannot play the part of a rock.  Can you play a rock in that drama, in that screen? In that screen you cannot play the part of a rock. BRUCE P: No. SWAMIJI: Lord Śiva can become a rock. So he is, etadeva svātantryam, so he is perfectly independent, perfectly glorious, and perfectly intelligent.  This is the intelligence!   Intelligence is not that you will play the part of lady. Intelligence is, you will play the part of a rock, you will play the part of a tree – this is intelligence!  And this kind of intelligence is found only in the state of Lord Śiva and nowhere else. This is the reality of Kashmir Shaivism as explained by Abhinavagupta.   एवमस्य स्वतन्त्रस्य निजशक्त्युपभेदिनः । स्वात्मगाः सृष्टिसंहाराः स्वरूपत्वेन संस्थिताः ॥९   evam-asya svatantrasya nija-śakty-upabhedinaḥ  / svātmagāḥ sṛṣṭi saṁhārāḥ svarūpatvena saṁsthitāḥ  // 9 //   So, asya svatantrasya, this Lord Śiva who is svatantra, ‘all round independent’; this variety of creations (sṛṣti) and the variety of destructions (saṁhāra) are existing in his own nature (svarūpa), and at the same time existing in its own way, which is ignorance. In the field of ignorance, the field of ignorance is also there. And at the same time, it is why our masters have explained to us to meditate; ‘to meditate to find out what a rock is’. When you meditate, then a rock will become universal; then there is nothing, there is no problem. When there is only a rock there is a problem, when there is only Bruce there is a problem, when there is only John there is a problem. When John will come to know that he is Universal, there is no problem.  It is why meditation is produced for realizing the reality of God Consciousness in Shaivism. So this sṛṣṭi-saṁhāra, this ‘creation’ and ‘destruction’,  is done in two ways, i.e., creation in the cycle of knowledge and creation in the cycle of kriyā – it is ‘in action’. BRUCE P: But what is the purpose of action? SWAMIJI: It is svātantrya, it is play. BRUCE P: To realize himself? SWAMIJI: No, it is just his own play. So it is a trick, it is a trick – it is not destroyed at all – it is a trick to appear as if it is destroyed. ERNIE: This is the play. SWAMIJI: This is the trick, this is play.  He is tricky – Lord Śiva! ERNIE: But, you know, so many people in the west have an idea that God is compassionate, and all-loving, and all-understanding. But if you have an idea that God creates and destroys your ignorance, and if you are suffering because you are ignorant, for whatever reasons, then that position is not able to . . . SWAMIJI: No, when it is realized then there will be no difference; you won’t feel any difference in being compassionate and in the absence of compassion. JOHN: But there’s nobody for God to be compassionate to . . . SWAMIJI: No . . . JOHN: . . . only to himself? SWAMIJI:  . . . at that moment. He transcends; these limited boundaries of dualistic ways of thought, he transcends at the time of knowledge. When once you realize that experience of the true position, then there is no . . ERNIE: . . . no problem. SWAMIJI:  For instance, if there is only ‘One Being’ . . . if there is only one Being – if you once realize there is only one Being in the universe – they are not separate beings; if they are not separate beings where there is the problem? ERNIE: Yes, but I am in ignorance and I don’t realize that, then I have a problem. SWAMIJI: Yes, you have to perform rituals, you have to perform good character, conduct, and all the rules and regulations of śāstras. When once you realize that, when you come to that point of realization – then you are ignorant, and at the same time you are not ignorant. ERNIE: I have both these qualities? SWAMIJI: There, at the point of knowledge. ERNIE: Knowledge, yes. SWAMIJI: Then the problem is solved. Because everything is good there. Because at the place of God Consciousness, at the state of God Consciousness, everything is good, everything is divine, there is nothing bad. Bad is only created to feel the goodness, to get a good taste of goodness. ERNIE: Contrast. SWAMIJI: Yes. BRUCE P: So, a little bad is good for one? SWAMIJI: Yes, in some place. Because from that goodness everything has come out . . .  bad, good, and everything has come out.  At the place of God consciousness, at the state of God consciousness, everything is good, everything is divine, there is nothing bad. It is the embodiment of goodness, embodiment of purity, embodiment of divinity.   THE CYCLE OF BONDAGE AND LIBERATION   But in fact these two cycles of bondage and liberation; the cycle of bondage is concerned with that 'not knowing cycle'; that is when you don’t know what you are doing, when you don’t know where you are established – that is the cycle of bondage. And that the cycle of knowledge, liberation (what is that?), when you come to understand that it is only a trick, it is the play of Lord Śiva and nothing else. Nothing has happened, nothing is lost, nothing is gained.  When nothing is lost, nothing is gained, there is nothing right . . . and in that cycle you must understand that, you should not attach that kind of understanding in this cycle, in the cycle of ignorance. Do you understand what I mean?  This is Shaivism! But you must come to understand this, because it is misunderstood by many people. This theory of Shaivism is misunderstood and you begin to [imagine you have] become Śiva.  And this misunderstanding also too . . . ERNIE: Is a trick! SWAMIJI: . . . is found in the divinity of Lord Śiva. ERNIE: But, what is misunderstood about Shaivism, in this point? SWAMIJI: No misunderstood that, “I am Śiva.” ERNIE: But I don’t understand, that’s what . . . ? SWAMIJI: No, you don’t understand . . . ERNIE: Yes, I don’t understand that? SWAMIJI: . . . you don’t understand that you are Śiva, so you are not Śiva!  But according to the theory of Shaivism you are Śiva!  Then you come to this conclusion “that you are Śiva!” ERNIE: Where is the misunderstanding? SWAMIJI: Because you are not actually Śiva, you have not achieved that state. DENISE: So it is a mistake to think that you are Śiva, if you haven’t actually realized you are Śiva? SWAMIJI: No, if you have not actually realized Śiva. DENISE: You shouldn’t go around thinking that you are Śiva . . . is that right? SWAMIJI: No. You should always elevate yourself, you should always think “that you are Lord Śiva”, but don’t boast of this. DENISE: Don’t tell anybody SWAMIJI: If you tell anybody, it means that you are not Lord Śiva. So you should not announce!  Announcing shows, proves, that you are not actually Śiva. ERNIE: So if you don’t announce, but let us say you keep it a secret to yourself? SWAMIJI: No, you must understand . . . (laughs . . .), you must actually understand it, not till then. Till then it is all a joke. ERNIE: No, but I am trying to figure out how does one know? SWAMIJI: Huh? ERNIE: How does one know when one is fooling oneself and when one is real? SWAMIJI: You will come to know yourself. Because you will be blissful, you will be always blissful.   kairliṅgaistrīṅguṇān . . . (Bhagavad Gīta 14.21)    When something bad happens to you, you won’t get worried; when something good happens to you, you wouldn’t get excited – then – if you realized it. BRUCE P: In pain you will be blissful? SWAMIJI: In pain also you will be peaceful.  And you must come to know, and you have to see in yourself that, ‘you are situated in this way.’  If you are not situated in this way and say that, “I am Lord Śiva, I am Lord Śiva,” someone will slap you and make you understand that you are not Lord Śiva, you are just . . . with one slap. ERNIE: This is a big problem? SWAMIJI: This is a big problem.  And you have to find out yourself, where you are situated. ERNIE:  Or with masters guidance? SWAMIJI: Yes. It happens by the grace of Lord Śiva, or by the grace of master, or by the grace of śāstras. [ END OF EXTRACT ]

"Girl From The City" Grew up in a great big city That the people all called L.A. I went to school in the great big city And I learned all I know today Yeah, I left the city tryin' to find the right girl for me I went through mountains and the valleys, even out to the sea All I want is a girl from the great big city All right Had a girl in the great big city

"No More Pain"

Hey DeVante
Nigga, don'tcha know we're gonna sow up every bitch in the country
Me and you, up in the same motherfuckin' room
On the same level
This shit here, hahahaha
Please, no more pain
That's right nigga
Hey drop that shit boy

My adversaries cry like hoes fully eradicate my foes
My lyrics explode on contact, gamin' you hoes
Who else but Mama's only son, fuck the phony niggas I'm the one
Say my name, watch bitches come
Now fire when ready, stay watchin' our figure
Increase speed, make you motherfuckers bleed from your mouth quicker
Plus all these niggas that you run with, be on some dumb shit
Trickin' on hoes, I ain't the one bitch
Holla my name and witness game official, it's so sick
Have every single bitch that came witchu, on my dick
Plus this alcohol increases the chance to be deceased
I'm movin' you stupid bitches, vicious telekinesis
Am I reachin' your brain? Nigga how can I explain?
How vicious this Thug motherfucker came
When I die, I want to be a living legend, say my name
Affiliated with this motherfuckin' game, with no more pain

[Interpretation of Method Man's "Bring the Pain":]
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane (no more pain)
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane (no more pain)
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane (no more pain)
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane (no more pain)

Line up my adversaries, blast on sight
And fuck your boyfriend bitch, I want some ass tonight You know my steelo, Alize and Cristal, weed
Sure you heard of all the freaky shit they say about me, huh
Plus all you busters is jealous, pull your gun out and blast
I dare you niggas to open fire, I'll murder that ass
And disappear before the, cops come runnin'
My Glock's spittin' rounds, niggas fallin' down clutchin' they stomach
It's Westside, Death Row, Thug niggas on the rise
Busters shot me five times, real niggas don't die
Can ya hear me?, laced with this game, I know you fear me
Spit the secret to war, so cowards fear me
My only fear of death is reincarnation
Heart of a solider with a brain to teach your whole nation
And feelin' no more pain

I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane (no more pain)
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane (yeah nigga, no more pain)
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain (what, what nigga)
Let's go inside my astral plane (no more pain)
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane (no more pain)
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain (no pain nigga)
Let's go inside my astral plane (no pain)

Bury me that's what they all say
It's time to make a killin', sure to make a million with DeVante
Bitch I know you want me, what your mouth say?, now, watch your eyes
You don't wanna get with me, that's a lie
I got my hands on your hips, no time to bullshit
Freaky bitch, come give me kiss
Tell them niggas from other areas, brothers from here
So obsessed with this money makin' it ain't nothin' we fear
Now they label me a troublemaker, cause I'm a ridah
Death to you playa haters, don't let me find ya
Mama made me rugged, Baptize the public
Now you all thugs, nigga don't you love it
It's similar to multiple gunshots, retaliation is a must
Wasn't too sure what you facin' so watch the guns bust
You niggas'll bleed, fuckin' with me you'll be deceased
Never restin' in peace, nigga
With no more pain

I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane

[Collision:]
Hahahahaha, yeah nigga, yeah! Hahahaha
No more pain
It's just like that nigga, like that yeah
No more pain
Motherfuckers can't handle that shit
Much too much for these bitches
No more pain
Feel me nigga? Feel me?
How you figure you can fuck with me?
Fully automatic type shit
No more pain
Coward ass niggas, cowards
Come put your mouth on this pistol nigga
Come put your mouth on the pistol, no more pain
Close your eyes nigga, do it
Die in the dark, no more pain

Death Row, so what you motherfuckers do?
Hey that's DeVante droppin' that beat like that BEYATCH
In case you wonderin'
And jealous niggas, hahaha, see y'all niggas
Motherfuckin' niggas are shit
Hey

[Whispering in the background:]
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane
I came to bring the pain, hardcore to the brain
Let's go inside my astral plane

Westsiiiiiide! Death to everybody that ain't down with me
That's on, feel me? Hahaha
Oh yeah, to the cowards, you know who you are, it's still Bad Boy Killa
Just feel that, Thug Life, shit don't stop
Fat motherfuckers got Downs Syndrome, motherfuckers
Weak ass niggas, dancers turned fuckin' CEOs
Put your mouth on this pistol nigga
Put your mouth on the pistol!
Hahahaha, yeah nigga no more pain
Prison ain't changed me nigga, it made me worse
Feel me nigga, haha
No more pain
Hey DeVante I'm givin' these motherfuckers choices
Niggas can roll with us, or they can be rolled up under us
That's on you nigga, what you wanna do?
Last year we was lettin' these niggas kick up dust
This year you motherfuckers gonna be dust
Thug Life nigga Westsiiide!

"All Bout U"
(feat. Dru Down, Nate Dogg, Outlawz, Snoop Dogg)

[2Pac (Dru Down):]
Ah, yeah! Hahaha (Yeah!)
It's all about you, one time!
(I'ma say it's all about you, baby, yeah!)
Haha, for the bitches that think it's all about you
It's all about you! (This Dru Down in the house
With my boy 'Pizznac, you know what I'm sayin'?)
It's all about you
(Yeah, I'm gon' say it's all about you
But you know I'm lyin' though, hah! Yeah)

[2Pac:]
You probably crooked as the last trick
Want to laugh about how I got my ass caught up
With this bad bitch?
Thinkin' I had her, but she had me in the long run
It's just my luck, I'm stuck with fuckin' with the wrong one
Wise decisions, based on lies we livin'
Scandalous times, this game's like my religion
You could be rollin' with a thug
Instead you with this weak scrub, lookin' for some love
In every club, I see you starin' like you want it
Well, baby, if you got it, better flaunt it
Let the liquor help you get up on it
I'm still tipsy from last night
Bumpin' these walls as I pause, addicted to the fast life
I try to holla, but you tell me you taken
Sayin' you ain't impressed with the money I'm makin'
Guess it's true what they tellin' me
Fresh out of jail, life's hell for a black celebrity
So that's the reason why I call, and maybe you with it
Fantasies of us sweatin', can I hit it?
Addicted to the things you do
But still true what I'm sayin', boo, ‘cause this is all about you

[Nate Dogg (2Pac):]
Every other city we go, every other video
(It's all about you)
No matter where I go, I see the same ho
(Yeah, nigga)
Every other city we go, every other video
(It's all about you)
No matter where I go, I see the same ho

[2Pac:]
I make a promise if you go with me, just let me know
I'll have you hollerin' my name out before I leave
Nobody loves me, I'm a thug nigga
I only hung out with the criminals and drug dealers
I love niggas, ‘cause we comin' from the same place
Witness me holla at a hoochie, see how quick the game takes
How can I tell her I'm a playa? And I don't even care
Creep low, weed smoke's in the air
Everywhere I go, it's all about the groupie hoes
Waitin' for niggas at the end of every show
I just seen you in my friend's video
Could never put a bitch before my friends, so here we go
Follow the leader and peep the drama that I'm goin' through
It's all about you, yeah, nigga, it's all about you

[Nate Dogg (2Pac):]
Every other city we go, every other video
(It's all about you)
No matter where I go, I see the same ho
(Yeah, nigga)
Every other city we go, every other video
(It's all about you)
No matter where I go, I see the same ho

[Hussein Fatal:]
Is you sick from the dick, or is it the flu?
It ain't about you or your bitch-ass crew
Every other city we go and every video
Explain to a nigga why I see the same shitty ho
You think it's all about you? Well, boo
I gets down like Dru, and my nasty new niggas, too

[Yaki Kadafi:]
You couldn't hold me back, it'd take a fatter track
A lyrical attack, perhaps, it was a visual bluff
When I started to snaps all your rode 'em swoll
Straight in control, flows'll fold, while hoes cold stroll
Hold the set, I told Dramacy' go in next
Gold diggin', cold diggin' a gold Rolex

[Hussein Fatal:]
I slide in easily, try a grizzly
Sluts know the cuts, I came to fuck, try skeezin' me
Runnin' up in ya just like Bruce Jenner when I bend ya
At the most, I fucked a bitch
From the West Coast to West Virginia

[Nate Dogg (2Pac):]
Every other city we go, every other video
(It's all about you)
No matter where I go, I see the same ho
Every other city we go, every other video
(It's all about you)
No matter where I go, I see the same ho
Every other city we go, every other video
(It's all about you)
No matter where I go, I see the same ho
Every other city we go, every other video
No matter where I go, I see the same ho

[Snoop Doggy Dogg:]
I'm tellin' ya, it's the same old shit
I mean, goddamn, you know what I'm sayin'?
I'm sittin' back, watchin' Montell Jordan video
I see the same bitch who was in my homeboy Nate Dogg video
Then I flip the channel
I'm checkin' out my homeboy 2Pac video
I see the same bitch that was in my video, you knahmsayin'?
And then, you nahmsayin', what make that even mo' fucked up
I'm watchin' a Million Man March
And I see the same bitch, on the Million Man March
That was in the homeboy Warren G video
I mean, damn, everywhere I look
Everywhere I go, I see the same ho'
Don't get mad, I'm only bein' real, yeah

“Graham had a lot of trouble with taste. Often his thoughts were not tasty. There were no effective partitions in his mind. What he saw and learned touched everything else he knew. Some of the combinations were hard to live with. But he could not anticipate them, could not block and repress. His learned values of decency and propriety tagged along, shocked at his associations, appalled at his dreams; sorry that in the bone arena of his skull there were no forts for what he loved. His associations came at the speed of light. His value judgments were at the pace of a responsive reading. They could never keep up and direct his thinking. He viewed his own mentality as grotesque but useful, like a chair made of antlers. There was nothing he could do about it.”

[Intro: 2Pac & Michael Buffer]
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
You don't wanna fuck with me
Got the police bustin' at me
But they can't do nothin' to a G
Let's get ready to rumble
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah (Now, you know how we do it, like a G)
You don't wanna fuck with me (What really go on in the mind of a nigga)
Got the police bustin' at me (That get down for theirs)
But they can't do nothin' to a G (Constantly, let 'em screaming that, money over bitches)
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah (Not bitches over money)
You don't wanna fuck with me (Stay on your grind, nigga)
Got the police bustin' at me (My ambitions as a ridah)
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
Police bustin' at me (My ambitions as a ridah)
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
Got the police bustin' at me (I'm a straight ridah)

[Verse 1]
So many battlefield scars while driven in plush cars (Skrrt)
This life as a rap star is nothin' without guard
Was born rough and rugged, addressin' the mass public (Hahaha)
My attitude was "fuck it," 'cause motherfuckers love it
To be a soldier, must maintain composure at ease (Sir, sir, sir, sir)
Though life is complicated, only what you make it to be
(And, uh) And my ambitions as a ridah
To catch her while she hot and horny, go up inside her (Uh, got ya)
Then I spit some game in her ear, "Go to the telly, ho"
Equipped with money in a Benz 'cause, bitch, I'm barely broke (Hahaha)
I'm smokin' bomb-ass weed, feelin' crucial
From player to player, the game's tight, the feeling's mutual
From hustlin' and prayers to breakin' motherfuckers to pay us
I got no time for these bitches (Hell no), 'cause these hoes tried to play us
I'm on a meal ticket mission, want a mil' so I'm wishin'
Competition got me ripped on that bullshit they stressin' (Booyah)
I'ma rhyme though, clown hoes like it's mandatory
No guts, no glory, my nigga, bitch got the game distorted
Now it's on and it's on because I said so (Haha)
Can't trust a bitch in the business so I got with Death Row
Now these money-hungry bitches gettin' suspicious
Started plottin' and plannin' on a scheme to come and trick us (Haha)
But thug niggas be on point and game tight (Yeah)
Me, Syke and Bogart are strapped up the same night (Wassup, nigga?)
Got problems, then handle it, motherfuckers see me
These niggas is jealous, 'cause deep in they hearts they wanna be me
(Uh yeah, haha) And now you got me right beside ya
Hopin' you listen, I catch you payin' attention
To my ambitions as a ridah
You might also like

Darling, I
Tyler, The Creator

squabble up
Kendrick Lamar

THE HEART PART 6
Drake
[Chorus]
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
You don't wanna fuck with me (My ambitions as a ridah)
Got the police bustin' at me
But they can't do nothin' to a G (I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah)

[Verse 2]
It was my only wish to rise above these jealous
Coward motherfuckers I despise, when it's time to ride
I was the first to hop inside (Let's go, nigga, let's go), give me the .9 (Haha, yeah)
I'm ready to die right here tonight and motherfuck they life (Yeah, nigga)
That's what they screamin' as they drill me, but I'm hard to kill
So I open fire until you kill me, witness my steel (That's all you niggas got? Hahahahahahahaha)
Spittin' at adversaries, envious and after me
I'd rather die before they capture me, watch me bleed
Mama (Dear Mama), come rescue me, I'm suicidal, thinkin' thoughts
I'm innocent so there'll be bullets flyin' when I'm caught (Fuck, shoot)
Fuck doin' jail time, better day, sacrifice (Fuck this shit)
Won't get a chance to do me like they did my nigga Tyson (Fuck that)
Thuggin' for life, and if you right, then, nigga, die for it
Let them other bustas try, at least you tried for it (Hahaha)
When it's time to die, then be a man and pick the way you leave (Yeah, nigga)
Fuck peace and the police, my ambitions as a ridah

[Chorus]
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
You don't wanna fuck with me (My ambitions as a ridah)
Got the police bustin' at me
But they can't do nothin' to a G
[Verse 3]
My murderous lyrics, equipped with spirits of the thugs before me
Stay off the block, evade the cops 'cause I know they comin' for me
I been hesitant to reappear, been away for years (I'm back, baby)
Now I'm back, my adversaries been reduced to tears
Question my methods to switch up speeds, sure as some bitches bleed
Niggas'll feel the fire of my mother's corrupted seed
(Buck-buck-buck-buck-buck) Blast me but they didn't finish, didn't diminish
My powers, so now I'm back to be a motherfuckin' menace (Them niggas cowards)
They cowards, that's why they tried to set me up
Had bitch-ass niggas (Bitch-ass niggas) on my team so indeed they wet me up (Punk niggas)
But I'm back reincarnated ('Carnated), incarcerated
At the time I contemplate the way that God made it
Lace 'em with lyrics that's legendary, musical mercenary
For money, I'll have these motherfuckers buried
I been gettin' much mail in jail, niggas tellin' me to kill it (Hahaha)
Knowin', when I get out, they gon' feel it (Yeah, right)
Witness the realest, a who-ridah when I put the shit inside
The cries from all your people when they find her, must remind ya
(Thug life) My history'll prove I been it
Revenge on them niggas that played me and all the cowards that was down with it
Now it's your nigga right beside ya
Hopin' you listen, got you payin' attention to my ambitions as a ridah

[Chorus]
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
You don't wanna fuck with me (My ambitions as a ridah)
Got the police bustin' at me
But they can't do nothin' to a G (G)
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
You don't wanna fuck with me
Got the police bustin' at me
But they can't do nothin' to a G (And I'm just proving it)
I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah
You don't wanna fuck with me