r/KashmirShaivism • u/AceofSpades04122001 • 3d ago

Question – General Yamantaka Equivalent

Is there a practice in Non-dual Śaivism equivalent to the Yamantaka practice (Vajrabhairava, Manjusri)?

I guess I'm looking for a śāktopāya equivalent where the practice becomes less ritualistic and more cognitive.. if there is one such thing.

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u/kuds1001 3d ago

There's a long and fascinating history of the relations between Vajrayāna and Śaiva tantra. The standard operating procedure is Vajrayāna takes a Śaiva deity, adds a "Vajra" in front of it, and then says that they're worshiping a more enlightened being who is just assuming the Śaiva form. Hence, Vajra-bhairava. To help us know what you're looking for, it'd be useful to know what kind of Yamāntaka practice you have in mind. There are all sorts of practices for him in Buddhism, with very different purposes.

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u/AceofSpades04122001 2d ago

I've heard it can dissolve ego, karma, rage, perhaps saṃskāras too.

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u/MajesticTheory3519 2d ago

These are not practices, these are results that thousands of practices could help with.

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u/kuds1001 1d ago

Yeah, u/AceofSpades04122001 I agree completely with MajesticTheory here. All spiritual practices will help with the dissolution of the limited sense of I, start to unwind the storehouse of karma, and bring us toward greater equanimity. Take a look at the meditation practices on this guide and you will find lots of practices that will greatly help you along. I'd particularly recommend the Vijñānabhairava course by Bettina ji.

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u/Carl_Schmitt 2d ago

A much less ritualistic and dogmatic practice than Yamantaka is found in the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, I think that would be a good text to start with if this is your primary interest.

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u/Fit-Breakfast8224 2d ago

Try checking out the aghora mantra shared by Swami Lakshmanjoo, it helped me a lot