''Mayukha Dhyana'

kshitau shat-panchad dvi-samadhika-panchashad udake; hutashe dva-shastis caturadhika-pancha shad anile | divi dvi-shattrimsan manasi ca chaturshashtir iti ye;  mayukha tesham apy upari tava padambuja- yugam || (Soun.Lah. 14) 

Meaning, Devi Para Bhattarika's pair of Lotus feet is above all the Rays, mayukha, that gives us energy, heat, light, life-force (prana shakti). This is the 'sahasrar, the Seventh, the highest level of Consciousness, starting from muladhara, svadhishthana, manipura, anahata, vishuddhi, ajnya, and above. In fact it is 'dvadashanta', 12 inches above the head! These rays manifest all that appears as the cosmic entity. The living beings are also endowed with the five basic elements (pancha mahabhuta), the energy cycles (Chakra), and the powers of the sounds and magical creative power of the vowels and consonants bijakshara mantra. This shloka is significant in that it is 'moksha-prada', liberates the adept. The upasaka will attain the highest knowledge of the Self, Atma-jnyana' by the Grace of Devi. It is 'Knowledge-based' and the devi is 'jnyanaprada' and bestows Her grace on the Sri-vidya upasaka. However, it should be made very clear that upasana of Devi Para Bhattarika is not that easy. In the first place, Devi is parabrahma svarupini. She has no form, as such. It is difficult to imagine Her and take up japa, dhyana, and tapa, It is easy to keep an idol and offer arghya, paadya, flowers, dhupa, deepa, naivedya, and arti and all that. But, here one finds it extremely difficult to concentrate on the formless and take up upasana, anushthana, and get her sakshatkara. The mayukha dhyana chanting 360 syllables as Her mantra is difficult for the beginners. A very knowledgeable attained guru is required to initiate the mantra.  

   There are four different methods or techniques of 'mayukha'. 'The term 'mayukha' means rays. These are the rays of the soma, surya, anala, cit-shakti, and stars (jyotsna loka). The upasaka should remember 'Shadanvya Shambhava' and imagine or keep in mind that 'Light shines under the Feet of Devi' and concentrate on Devi's feet in dhyan. The upasaka should totally merge in Her devotion and become one with Her (attain oneness, 'samya'). Remember, Devi is para Bhattarika, the One that is beyond all words to express. We are all children (shishu) in Her arms! We should give up all that we know or think about as 'I am so and so'.  Devi smiles on us as Her beloved children when we attain that state of 'nothingness'. 

 This is 'mayukha dhyana'. The 'bijakshara dhyana' and other techniques such as the bhutishakti, matrika and the chakra dhyana have been explained in the previous blogs (on 'meditation').