In response to the question, “What is Shatabhedi Karma and why does it exist?” Baba said, “No one has performed Shatabhedi. Even one who attains liberation is still within the ‘Shata’ (hundred).”
What happens when one attains Shatabhedi?
There will be “one real entity”—this “one” will emerge. However, without achieving Shatabhedi, this “one” cannot manifest. From where will the “one” arise? It will not emerge from the fundamental principle (Mūlatattva). In one sense, this can be called an “interest” (Vyāja). Just as the principal amount remains intact while the interest accumulates, similarly, after the principal is accounted for, what remains is this “one thing.” Otherwise, everything else is insignificant.
Life continues—birth happens, death occurs, and beings merge into their essential nature. This process has been ongoing for eternity, for millions and billions of years. This truth exists within “Shata” itself. Apart from this world (Loka) and the hereafter (Paraloka), what else do you possess? Whether you take ten births, twenty births, twenty thousand births, or countless births, this entire journey remains within the realm of the hundred (Shata). The material world is within fifty, and the afterlife is within fifty, forming the totality of one hundred (Shata).
On the other hand, when one crosses beyond Shatabhedi, further numbers begin—101, 102, 103, and so on. Where does this progression lead? Initially, it reaches 105. Until you attain totality (Samasti), 105 remains the highest point.
What is 105?
It is the state of the supreme yogi (Yogi Śreṣṭha). This is the preliminary stage of the highest knowledge (Mahajñāna). Before reaching Mahajñāna, all the greatest yogis of this world have reached 105. Those at 104 are advanced seekers (Śreṣṭha Sādhaka), a nearly perfected state. The number 103 forms a triangle (Trikoṇa), and from 101 to 103, this triangle is structured. There are many aspects to this, which I will explain later.
From 103, the transition occurs to 104. Within 104, countless perfected beings (Siddha Puruṣa) have emerged. Possibly, millions of individuals have attained Mahajñāna within 105, but no one has gone beyond this.
Within Shatabhedi, this much is known—103, 104, and 105 exist. The triangle is formed at 103, and then 104 becomes a stage for all, while 105 marks the Mahayogi. However, disregarding even this Mahayogi, some have moved beyond to 106.
106: The Attainment of Mahajñāna
At this stage, Mahajñāna arises. Prior to this, only fragmented knowledge (Khaṇḍajñāna) existed. However, even in this fragmented state, the individual remains a Mahayogi. Yet, under Shatabhedi conditions, it is not yet the highest Mahayoga. The state of Mahayoga does manifest at 105, but it is not unbroken (Akhanda).
To attain Akhanda Mahayoga, Mahajñāna must be realized. That is 106.
What happens upon attaining Mahajñāna?
What transformation takes place? Upon Mahajñāna, the triangle (Trikoṇaśakti) encloses a mandala. Because this happens further along the path, it is termed Mahajñāna.
Those who have not attained Mahajñāna remain Mahayogis at 105, but they lack this specific realization.
What is Mahajñāna?
Mahajñāna is the knowledge that encompasses everything you possess—this total knowledge alone is Mahajñāna. When Mahayoga is attained at 105, it does not yet include everything. The totality remains unintegrated.
Three divine powers (Śakti) play their role in this process:
- Śyāmā Mā – The primordial stage (Ādi Avasthā).
- Umā Mā – The secondary stage (Dvitīya Avasthā).
- Ādi Mā – The tertiary stage (Tṛtīya Avasthā).
These three Śaktis establish the Maha-Traya (the great triad) within the triangle. Śyāmā Mā represents the initial state, Umā Mā follows, and Ādi Mā marks the third phase. These three divine mothers—Śakti-traya (the triad of powers) and Maha-Śakti-traya—exist within Shatabhedi.
Beyond 106: The Path to 107
From 106, one progresses toward 107. What happens in 107? Upon attaining Mahajñāna at 106, one must cross the ocean of time (Kāla Samudra). Only after crossing Kāla Samudra can further realization occur.
At 103, the triangle existed, but now, at 106, the situation changes. How? The upward-facing triangle (Ūrdhvamukha Trikoṇa) contains a mandala. This occurs only after Mahajñāna because it exists beyond 105.
Thus, within this level, the mandala takes precedence. At this point, time itself (Kāla) must be transcended. It is like crossing the British Channel—on one side is France, and on the other, England. Similarly, beyond Kāla Samudra, one receives a glimpse of the truth but cannot yet attain it fully.
Until time itself is pierced, the final state cannot be reached.
From Triangle to Infinity
Initially, the triangle encloses the mandala, but later, the mandala encloses the triangle. This shift leads to an infinite expansion of consciousness. The triangle then dissolves into a square, then a pentagon, then a hexagon, then an octagon, and ultimately into infinite facets (Ananta Koṇa).
When infinite facets are reached, the number 108 manifests. At this stage, angles (Koṇa) cease to exist, and Shiva-Śakti merge into absolute unity (Samarasya).
At this juncture, the individual (Jīva) transcends all distinctions.
The Ultimate Achievement: Akhanda Mahayoga
Akhanda Mahayoga is not exclusive to a select few—it is an all-encompassing realization. Why? Because true wholeness (Akhanda) includes everything.
Upon attaining Akhanda Mahayoga, one realizes:
- “I am not separate; I am the entirety.”
- “I represent all of humanity.”
- “I embody the cosmos and its infinite manifestations.”
Until this realization is attained, angles remain. The progression moves toward circular completeness, yet angles persist. Only upon reaching infinity do angles disappear, marking the final unification.
In this highest Akhanda Mahayoga, the Guru himself embraces the disciple. At this moment, completeness is achieved, and the Guru acknowledges the disciple as perfected.
Thus, at 108, the triangle vanishes, leading to the final dissolution of angles—Shiva-Śakti Samarasya (the harmonious fusion of Shiva and Shakti).
This marks the ultimate transformation of the world, as Sri Aurobindo also indicated, though in different terminology. Even beyond 106, much remains—this is the domain of action without grace (Kṛpā-Śūnya Karma).
The Final Realization
To attain absolute unity, one must rely solely on oneself—this is the true meaning of Kṛpā-Śūnya Karma (action without grace).
When all fragmented grace (Khaṇḍa-Kṛpā) ceases, infinite grace (Ananta-Kṛpā) manifests, dissolving all limitations.
Finally, at this point, the Guru embraces the disciple, marking the ultimate state of perfection. Here, the Guru declares the disciple complete, and God Himself places the devotee upon His throne.
At 106, the triangle ceases, but at 108, it transforms into infinite angles—Shatabhedi Karma dissolves into the ultimate state of existence.