Metaphygital Souls | Cosmos 2

SUPER BARDO by Priyesh Trivedi 'Super Bardo' is a crossover series that intertwines two seemingly disparate worlds: the iconic 'Super Mario' universe and the esoteric 'Bardo Thodol,' also known as 'The Tibetan Book of the Dead.' The series follows Mario's disembodied journey after his in-game demise, where the last fragments of his consciousness traverse the Bardo stages, encountering visions of his life, experiences, and fears. This visually pixelated odyssey draws inspiration from the symbolisms of 'Thangka' art and the retro 8-bit iconography of the game, crafting a metafictional narrative exploring themes of life, death, and rebirth. Beneath the layers of popular culture and nostalgia, the works aim to initiate an internal dialogue in the viewer's mind, delving into existential ideas. Mario finds himself trapped in an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth within a deterministic world governed by code, subject to the whims of players who control the code at their discretion. The only true awareness of existence arises when the code runs, and any sense of meaning and purpose stems from acting within the confines of the code itself. In the grand scheme of this perpetual cycle, does everything ultimately become absurd? Is liberation even conceivable? What does this endless loop reveal about the real world and the dissonance between free will and determinism? And, is the princess truly worth saving?

The Time has now come for you to seek the Path. Your breathing is about to cease. You are set face-to face before the Clear Light and now you are about to experience it in its Reality in the Bardo state. Recognize it. You will experience three Bardos- The Bardo of the Moment of Death The Bardo of Reality The Bardo of Rebirth

You are departing from this world. But you are not the only one, death comes to all. Do not cling, in fondness and weakness, to this life, for you do not have the power to remain here. Let the Benevolent Entities guide your liberation. Recognize them. Be not attached, be not weak.

Although set face-to-face with the Clear Light and the Benevolent Entities, you were not able to recognize them. You shall now continue to wander.

The Bardo of the Wrathful Entities shall begin.You will pass from one fainting state to another. Do not be influenced by fear, terror and awe. Do not be overwhelmed. The body which you now possess, is one of voidness and so it cannot die.Thus, knowing this, all fear and terror is self-dissipated. Recognize the visions and the Wrathful Entities as emanations of your own thought- forms and liberation can be attained.

Being unable to recognize the Clear Light, the Benevolent and Wrathful Entities, you shall now experience the Bardo of Rebirth. Endure the dreadful gusts of the fierce winds of Karma. Fear it not as it’s your own illusion. Be not afraid of the Lord of Death. Your immediate experiences will be of momentary joys followed by momentary sorrows, of great intensity. Be not attached nor displeased. Visions of worlds shall appear and the power of Karma shall shine a light on the one you are to be born again in.