Beeja Mantras
Beeja Mantras
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Bija Mantras
Bija means a seed. Hence Bija Mantra means a mantra which is usually of one syllable. The table below is not
complete, but gives the most common bija mantras.
The best tantrik view of mantra is given in Sir John Woodroffes 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.
Om is the famous bija mantra. It is known as Pranava or the salutation 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
Uddhara Kosha. 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.
Hskphrem, says the BD, is the bija mantra of Ananda Bhairava in the form of ones own guru.