A Bija-Akshara is a seed-letter. It is a very powerful Mantra. Every
Devata has his or her own Bija-Akshara. The greatest of all Bija-Aksharas
is OM or Pranava, for it is the symbol of the Para-Brahman or the
Paramatman Himself. OM contains within itself all the other Bija-Aksharas.
OM is the general source or the common seed from which all the particular
sounds or secondary seeds proceed. The letters of the alphabet are only
emanations from OM which is the root of all sounds and letters. There is
no Mantra superior to or greater than OM. OM, as it pronounced ordinarily,
is an outward gross form of the real subtle inaudible state of sound which
is called the Amatra or the immeasurable fourth transcendental state. As
the various Devatas are the aspects or forms of the One Supreme Being, so
the various Bija-Aksharas or Bija-Mantras are so many aspects or forms of
the Supreme Bija or Mantra, viz., OM. Even the letters 'A', 'U' and 'M' do
not really give the transcendental or original state of sound. Even this
triliteral sound is only an expression or manifestation of the highest
primal Dhvani or vibration. The transcendental sound of OM is heard only
by Yogins and not by the ordinary ear. In the correct pronunciation of OM
the sound proceeds from the navel, with a deep and harmonious vibration,
and gradually manifests itself by stages at the upper part of the nostrils
where the Anusvara or the Chandrabindu is sounded.
Generally a Bija-Mantra consists of a single letter. Sometimes it
constitutes several syllables. For example, the Bija-Mantra 'Kam' has a
single letter with the Anusvara or the Chandrabindu which forms
termination of all Bija-Mantras. In the Chandrabindu, Nada and Bindu are
blended together. Some Bija-Mantras are made up of compound letters, such
as the Mantra 'Hreem'. The Bija-Mantras have a significant inner meaning
and often do not convey any meaning on their face. Their meaning is
subtle, mystic. The form of the Bija-Mantra is the form of the Devata
signified by it.
The Bijas of the five Mahabhutas or great elements, i.e., of the Devatas
or the presiding intelligences of the elements, viz., Ether, Air, Fire,
Water and Earth, are respectively Ham, Yam, Ram, Vam and Lam. The meanings
of a few Bija-Mantras are given here, to serve as examples.
OM
OM consists of three letters: 'A', 'U' and 'M'. It signifies the three
periods of time, the three states of consciousness, the entire existence.
'A' is the waking state or Virat and Visva. 'U' is the dreaming state of
Hiranyagarbha and Taijasa. 'M' is the sleeping state or Isvara and Prajna.
Study the Mandukyopanishad in detail in order to understand the meaning of
OM.
HAUM
In this Mantra, Ha is Siva. Au is Sadasiva. The Nada and Bindu mean that
which dispels sorrow. With this Mantra Lord Siva should be worshipped.
DUM
Here Da means Durga. U means to protect. Nada means the mother of the
universe. Bindu signifies action (worship or prayer). This is the Mantra
of Durga.
KREEM
With this Mantra Kalika should be worshipped. Ka is Kali. Ra is Brahman.
Ee is Mahamaya. Nada is the mother of the universe. Bindu is the dispeller
of sorrow.
HREEM
This is the Mantra of Mahamaya or Bhuvanesvari. Ha means Siva. Ra is
Prakriti. Ee means Mahamaya. Nada is the mother of the universe. Bindu
means the dispeller of sorrow.
SHREEM
This is the Mantra of Mahalakshmi. Sa is Mahalakshmi. Ra means wealth. Ee
means satisfaction or contentment. Nada is Apara or the manifested Brahman
or Isvara. Bindu means the dispeller of sorrow.
AIM
This is the Bija-Mantra of Sarasvati. Ai means Sarasvati. Bindu means the
dispeller of sorrow.
KLEEM
This is the Kamabija. Ka means the Lord of desire (Kamadeva). Ka may also
mean Krishna. La means Indra. Ee means contentment or satisfaction. Nada
and Bindu mean that which brings happiness and sorrow.
HOOM
In this Mantra, Ha is Siva. U is Bhairava. Nada is the Supreme. Bindu
means the dispeller of sorrow. This is the threefold Bija of Varma of
armour (coat of mail).
GAM
This is the Ganesha-Bija. Ga means Ganesha. Bindu means the dispeller of
sorrow.
GLAUM
This also is a Mantra of Ganesha. Ga means Ganesha. La means that which
pervades. Au means lustre or brilliance. Bindu means the dispeller of
sorrow.
KSHRAUM
This is the Bija of Narasimha. Ksha is Narasimha. Ra is Brahma. Au means
with teeth pointing upwards. Bindu means the dispeller of sorrow.
There are, like these, many other Bija-Mantras which signify various
Devatas. 'Vyaam' is the Bija of Vyasa-Mantra, 'Brim' of Brihaspati-Mantra
and 'Raam' of Rama-Mantra.
The 51 matrikas (letters of the Sanskrit alphabet) constitute the Goddess
in the form of sound. This is why Kali wears a garland of 51 skulls and it
is also why these letters are shown on the petals of the six chakras. The
yantra above is called the Tortoise Chakra (source Gandharva Tantra) and
is used to determine whether the area a practitioner is working in is
inimical or not to his worship.
Below is the Matrika Chakra. This, says Ram Kumar Rai in his excellent
Encyclopaedia of Yoga, is to be drawn with saffron (kesara) for Shakti
worship and with ashes (bhasma) for Shiva worship. It contains all the 51
matrikas and is used in the first of the ten rites to purify a mantra
(samskara) after it has been received from a guru. On the petals of the
yantra are the consonants while the vowels are in the eight spokes. In the
centre is the syllable Hsauh while in the cardinal directions is the Bam
bija and in the intermediate directions the Tham bija mantra.
Perhaps one of the clearest expositions of the tantrik view of mantra is
given in Sir John Woodroffe's collection of essays, Shakti and Shakta,
chapter 24.
The supreme absolute (Parabrahman) exists in the human being (jivatma) as
Shabda Brahman, the absolute as sound. Mantras are not prayers and the
relationship of the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, whether consonants
or vowels, he says, point to the appearance of devata (divinity) in
different forms. An uttered mantra is the manifestation of a more subtle
sound while mantras themselves are forms of Kundalini. Mantras may be
male, female or neutral. Female mantras are called Vidyas.
"By Mantra the sought for (Sadhya) Devata appears, and by Siddhi therein
is had vision of the three worlds. As the Mantra is in fact Devata, by
practice thereof this is known. Not merely do the rhythmical vibrations of
its sound regulate the unsteady vibrations of the sheaths of the
worshipper, but therefrom the image of the Devata appears." (op cit)
Mantras are masculine (solar), feminine (lunar) or neuter. A female mantra
is called a vidya, which means knowledge, while solar and neuter forms are
called mantras. Mantras are only such if they were first revealed by a
rishi or seer. Only then do they have life, according to the tradition. A
mantra can only work if it is received from a guru who has, herself or
himself, received it in an unbroken line from its first rishi. There are,
however, exceptions to this, according to some tantras which prescribe
methods of purification for mantras received in dream. And, according to
Mahachinachara, the Kali mantra does not rely on the very elaborate rules
usually found in the Tantras.
In describing mantras, the different tantrik texts always give their
origin or rishi as well as the metre to pronounce them. While a mantra is
divinity in sound form, a yantra is the same in geometrical form and an
image the devata in gross form. Refer also to the page on Tattvas on the
relationship between the consonants and the 36 tattvas.
Bija Mantras
The word Bija means a seed and describes a mantra which is usually of one
syllable. There are many tantrik 'dictionaries' of the matrikas which
indicate their significance as well as the meaning of the bija or seed
mantras. This section below draws information from the Bhutadamara (BD);
the Varnanighantu (VN), alleged to be part of the Rudrayamala; and the
Uddharakosha (UK), ascribed to Dakshinamurti. Longer mantras are often
formed from a concatenation of these bijas. The table below is not
exhaustive, there are many more bijas.
Om Shrim Hrim Krim Hum
Aim Phat Krom Svaha Klim
Hum Hraum Drim Sphem Plrem
Klrim SvahaThahPrimTham Tham Thah ThahSphim
HrumHrumHskphremGamBlum
Om is the most renowned bija mantra. The Bhutadamara describes it as the
face of Kala. Revealed by Mahakala, it is the form of creation,
maintenance and withdrawal.
The bija mantra Shrim is described as Vishnupriya - the beloved of Vishnu
- that is Lakshmi, according to the UK. The syllable Hrim is called the
Maya bija. It is also Raudri, according to the Bhutadamara. The UK
describes it as the Para or supreme bija. The bija mantra Krim is
described as the pitribhuvasini, that is the goddess who dwells in the
ancestral or cremation ground, Kali. It is also the dravana and kledana
bija.
Hum with the long letter 'u' is called the Kurcha bija and is the mantra
of the Mother worshipped by heroes (viras). The Bhutadamara also describes
it as the mantra of Mahakala. Aim is called Vagbhava bija and is the
syllable of Sarasvati, according to the BD. Phat is the bija of the great
fire at the end of time (Pralayagnirmahajvala).
Krom is called the Krodhisha bija. Svaha, otherwise known as Thah Thah, is
Vahnijaya, representing the fire sacrifice.
Klim is the deluder of the three worlds bija, also known as Kama or
Manmatha, the Hindu god of love, often identified with Krishna. It is the
sexual desire bija, says the BD. Hum (with the short letter 'u') is called
the Kavacha or armour bija. It is the bija of Chandabhairavi. Hraim is the
bija which destroys great sins (mahapataka), and is the light mantra. Drim
is called the great Kinkini (small bell) bija, says the Bhutadamara.
Sphem is the Bhairava (Shiva) bija which comes at the end of a yuga. Plrem
is the Vetala (vampire) bija, according to the Bhutadamara.
Klrim Svaha is called the bija which causes things to tremble. It is the
Manohari and ends in Thah Thah (Svaha, see above). The mantra Prim is the
crow bija, used in works of Indrajala (magic). The UK describes this bija
as the Vagura. Tham Tham Thah Thah are the bijas in the worship of the
greatly alluring Chandika, says the BD. Sphrim is the bija of the uncanny
Dhumrabhairavi (smoky Bhairavi), also known as Phetkarini.
The bija Hrum (with long letter 'u') is the single syllable mantra of
Kalaratri, the great night of time. The same bija, but with a short letter
'u', is the mantra of Vaivasvata.
This ancient method of meditation is based on the fact that the whole manifested
Universe is the result of all inclusive vibration called nada. And all existing
things in the Universe are forms, or fields of this vibration with different
wave length and density. So, each of these forms produced by vibration and can
be changed by changing their vibration- be it a rock, a human body or a solar
system. So by means of sound, or vibration with a given purpose, we can change
anything around us, as well as create and destroy. With help of certain mantras
you can create things that you desire in your life or banishing someone of
something from your life, be it a person who you want to go or a phenomenon.
That includes bringing end to a physical existence, or death. Destruction
mantras are not advisory, since they are tricky: if you recite destructive
mantra with just a wrong intonation, like in the case of demon Vritra, you can
kill yourself instead of killing your enemy. The higher and more spiritual the
purpose of japa meditation, the simpler the technique. It is much simpler to
heal than to kill, in other words. Besides destructive mantras will affect you
as much as you affect the subject of your deadly concentration. Note, that forms
of artificial nature belong to a different category of things and are not
affected by mantras as much. So, as you see, there is nothing magic about the
magic, it is a type of science that we was not taught on modern schools, but
which was a common subject in the schools of other times in the past. Even Kama
Sutra, among the 64 arts every person should master, among arts of cooking and
lovemaking denotes the art of magic as a useful thing for a household. For help
to excel in this arts, chants Sarasvati Gayatri mantra.
Vibration related not only with forms, but also it is a state of consciousness,
so by the means of mantra you can make changes in your consciousness, psychic
powers and your outlook at things. You will be able to see to the essence of the
things - and see what exactly you want to change or keep and cultivate.
What is mantra:
Mantra is a specific combination of Sanskrit letters arranged in a certain way
to bring about a specific result. Each letter, representing a sound, or a
vibration, possess power to change or affect matter or mind. The power of these
sounds are rooted in the highest plane of the solar system, and therefore, work
on every plan, from most subtle, to the most dance. The mantras was constituted
by great sages, or seers who knew the highest low of sound and was able to
compose mantras that would work exactly rite for certain purpose.
What is japa: Japa is a repetition of a chosen mantra with the purpose of
bringing specific changes in the mind- of yours or someone else- or bring
changes in the surrounding, or direct power to reach specific goal and remove
obstacles - that is, bring "good luck", or change the matter directly. This
changes are a result of bringing forces from higher planes and experiences
higher states of consciousness, that at the moment of Japa make you a seer.
How to chant: the motivation behind mantra
There is a difference between mantra and a prayer: mantra is a saying composed
from combination of sounds that has specific, almost mechanic effect on subtle
levels and brings forth inevitable change, it is changes things or
subconsciousness A prayer is an emotional act, it is when you send your love to
god, it is a call that comes from the heart. Gayatri is both a mantra and a
prayer, so it has the power of both. This is one of the most powerful and
beloved mantra in India still, even little children recite it before they go to
bed.
Gods are not your slaves, they don't owe you anything, so they don't have to
give you things you ask for. They provide help out of their eternal and
unconditional love that they made of. So, to have a respond you have to come
from the bottom of your heart. Pray passionately, put the power of true desire
into your call - be it the power of love or hate, that depends on what you want
and to whom you pray. Do not try to make any mental pressure on the god or a
goddess - they withdraw from the pressure, besides, you are not powerful enough
to put enough pressure to be Gods at your command. This way you are putting
pressure on yourself- as Gods are the parts of you- and creating stress that
might result in heads and other disorders. Gently bow, connect, send your love
and admiration and ask sincerely to help you. This is how you treat yourself.
So, after a treatment like this, you might become a god or a goddess yourself.
With help of mantra you activate particular power within you and give you
ability to reach your specific goal. This is based on the fact that God and all
subgods are within you, they are the part of you, and you are them - so mantra
of the deity help you to connect to that aspect of yourself and activate it. You
see, there is no miracles in magic, it's just a routine work, and it's only a
matter of doing or not doing it. This is als the technique for self healing or
healing anyone else: when you know the nature of the disorder, or a part of your
body that hurts, you make a parallel to a deity that correspond to this part of
yourself and recite his mantra to activate and empower the weakened part of
yourself. For example, recite Vishnu mantra if you have problems with heart,
Shiva or Kali mantras if you have problems based on Immune system, Brahma mantra
if your stomach hurts or you have problems with digestion.
Mala
Usually chanting meditation is done with help of mala, or praying bids. The
purpose of using praying bids is to count how many times you have recited your
mantra. There is a magic number for repeating the mantra: 108 times. So, typical
praying bids, or the mala, contains 108 bids. This number symbolists the magic
triangle of creation: first it was one, The Goddess, of virgin, who gave birth
to a son, and it became two. She became his lover and from this union the
universe was born, the three. So, 1x2x2x3x3x3=108. To gain help and support from
the god/goddess of your choice, enough to repeat one mala a day to establish the
connection and have goddess smile on you.
Mala can contain 27 bids, and had to be done 4 times, or 54 bids, and has to be
done twice. Each mantra can be prescribed to be repeated number of times for
greater effect: 1.000 times, or 10.000 times, or 12.500 times or 125.000 times,
but that's for monks.
How to use mala:
1. Hold mala with your right hand, resting bids on your middle finger. Rotate
bids as you chant between middle finger and a thumb.
2. Go from one bid to next as you repeat the mantra, beginning from the bid next
to one bog divining bid, that shows you where the count begins.
3. The divining bid should never get passed. If you did one circle of 108 bids,
turn mala and begin from the bid you have just finished with. Do not use
divining bid fro chanting
Types of mala:
Mala can be made of different materials, depending on the type of mantra you use
and type of result you want to have.
1. Mala made of tulsi wood is good for praying to lord Krishna, Vishnu, Ram,
Hanuman. For piece and prosperity.
2. Mala made of rudraksha seeds are for worshipping Shiva and Shakti. For sexual
rapture and security.
3. Pearl mala is great for piece tasks
4. Coral mala to attain wealth
5. Lotus seed mala used to harm, kill or disturb their mental balance Maran,
Uchchatan and Vidweshan Karmas.
6. Silver mala to connect to your subconsciousness and develop inner vision
7. Gold mala to attain success become noticed
8. Ruby and garnet mala to increase sexual passion
9. Emerald mala to increase love
10. Diamond mala to obtain purity of spirit
11. Sandalwood mala is good for all purposes
Yantras:
Yantra is a graphic symbol of the god, when mantra is a vibration, that
correspond to the energy named as certain god or goddess. Yantra is a powerful
centering device, but needs pranapratishtha, or invoking of prana (life force)
of the deity, so it can work only together with mantra. Mantra is the deity
itself, and yantra is the body of the deity. works only together with mantra,
that for a more effective work with mantras, use yantras to meditate and connect
with the deity. Along with each mantra, graphic yantras will be provided.
Mantras and 5 elements
Our body and Universe made of 5 basic elements: ether, air, fire, water and
earth. The pentagram, used in all witchcraft works is a symbol of these 5
elements in their union. Meditation on each element brings out different effect:
Ether elements brings love of knowledge, spirituality
Air helps to achieve desired goal. Unstable air element brings craziness and
nervousness.
Fire brings passion and excitement. Can be used to harm someone.
Water brings love, satisfaction and wisdom
Earth brings stability, mental silence and physical comfort.
To be well balanced person means having 5 elements of your body in perfect
balance with one another. Watch yourself and see what element can be out of
balance when you feel disrupted. Constant imbalance of one or more elements
brings chronic diseases.
The 51 matrikas (letters of the Sanskrit alphabet) constitute the Goddess in the
form of sound. This is why Kali wears a garland of 51 skulls and it is also why
these letters are shown on the petals of the six chakras. Mantras are not
prayers and the relationship of the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, whether
consonants or vowels, he says, point to the appearance of devata (divinity) in
different forms. An uttered mantra is the manifestation of a more subtle sound
while mantras themselves are forms of Kundalini.
Mantras may be male, female or neutral. A female mantra is called a vidya, which
means knowledge, while solar and neuter forms are called mantras. Mantras are
only such if they were first revealed by a rishi or seer. Only then do they have
life, according to the tradition. In describing mantras, the different tantrik
texts always give their origin or rishi as well as the meter to pronounce them.
While a mantra is divinity in sound form, a yantra is the same in geometrical
form and an image the devata in gross form. Refer also to the page on Tattvas on
the relationship between the consonants and the 36 tattvas.
Bija mantras:
The word Bija means a seed and describes a mantra which is usually of one
syllable. Each seed mantra correspond to a deity, or an aspect of God, all
together they represent the complete divinity revealed in sound. This is the
ultimate bija mantra: Om Shrim Hrim Krim Hum Aim Phat Krom Svaha Klim Hum Hrum
Drim Sphem Plrem Klrim Svaha Thah Prim Tham Tham Thah Thah Sphim Hrum Hrum
Hskphrem Gam Blum
Om is the most renowned bija mantra. The Bhutadamara describes it as the face of
Kala. Revealed by Mahakala, it is the form of creation, maintenance and
withdrawal. The bija mantra Shrim is described as Vishnupriya - the beloved of
Vishnu - that is Lakshmi. The syllable Hrim is called the Maya bija. It is also
Raudri, according to the Bhutadamara. The bija mantra Krim is described as the
Pitribhuvasini, that is the goddess who dwells in the ancestral or cremation
ground, Kali. It is also the dravana and kledana bija. Hum with the long letter
'u' is called the Kurcha bija and is the mantra of the Mother worshipped by
heroes (viras). The Bhutadamara also describes it as the mantra of Mahakala. Aim
is called Vagbhava bija and is the syllable of Sarasvati. Phat is the bija of
the great fire at the end of time (Pralayagnirmahajvala). Krom is called the
Krodhisha bija. Svaha, otherwise known as Thah Thah, is Vahnijaya, representing
the fire sacrifice. Klim is the deluder of the three worlds bija, also known as
Kama or Manmatha, the Hindu god of love, often identified with Krishna. It is
the sexual desire bija, says the BD. Hum (with the short letter 'u') is called
the Kavacha or armour bija. It is the bija of Chandabhairavi. Hraim is the bija
which destroys great sins (mahapataka), and is the light mantra. Drim is called
the great Kinkini (small bell) bija, says the Bhutadamara. Sphem is the Bhairava
(Shiva) bija which comes at the end of a yuga. Plrem is the Vetala (vampire)
bija, according to the Bhutadamara. Klrim Svaha is called the bija which causes
things to tremble. It is the Manohari and ends in Thah Thah (Svaha, see above).
The mantra Prim is the crow bija, used in works of Indrajala (magic). The UK
describes this bija as the Vagura. Tham Tham Thah Thah are the bijas in the
worship of the greatly alluring Chandika. Sphrim is the bija of the uncanny
Dhumrabhairavi (smoky Bhairavi), also known as Phetkarini. The bija Hrum (with
long letter 'u') is the single syllable mantra of Kalaratri, the great night of
time.