Beeja akshara and Mantras

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A. Introduction: ‘The bija is the seedling of the mantra. It is from this seedling that shoots of the science of Mantra spread. The energy of any mantra lies in its bija. The chanting of a mantra is efficacious only if an appropriate bija is selected. The bijas activate the deity of the mantra. In this context the Bruhadgandharvatantra relates - शृणॠदेवि पà¥à¤°à¤µà¤•à¥à¤·à¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤®à¤¿ बीजानां देवरूपतामॠ। मनà¥à¤¤à¥à¤°à¥‹à¤šà¥à¤šà¤¾à¤°à¤£à¤®à¤¾à¤¤à¥à¤°à¥‡à¤£ देवरूपं पà¥à¤°à¤œà¤¾à¤¯à¤¤à¥‡ ।। The meaning: O Parvati, I will tell you the divine nature of bijas. Mere pronunciation of a bijamantra, causes the manifestation of the deity at that site. Bijas are also extremely useful from the physical and psychological point of view. When pronouncing bijas a particular frequency is generated leading to the production of specific sound waves. Spread of these waves activates certain centres and chakras in the body, which in turn facilitate the proper flow of the vital energies (pranas) through the channels (nadis). It is said that chanting of a bijamantra helps to achieve a healthy body, pure mind, increase in the mental (psychic) energy, sharp intellect, etc. Mr. Woodrof has explained about bijas of various deities, their implied meaning and objectives in the following way: 1. Om (à¥) : This is a bija too. It has to be pronounced before all bijas and mantras. It is called the pranav bija. This itself is the bija or the gist of the Vedas. All the bijas originate from the pranav bija. This is an eternal and non-dualistic (advait) bija. 2. Aim (à¤à¤‚) : The bija of Sarasvati. The objective is the same as above. 3. Krim (कà¥à¤°à¥€à¤‚) : The bija of Kali, k = Kali, r = Brahman and i = Mahamaya (the Great Illusion). The dot in Sanskrut (anusvar) means overcoming unhappiness. The objective is to overcome unhappiness. 4. Klim (कà¥à¤²à¥€à¤‚) : The bija of Krushna or desire (kama), k = Krushna or kama (desire), l = Indra, i = satisfaction and the dot refers to generation of happiness. Its objective is acquisition of happiness. 5. Gam (गं) : The bija of Ganesh, g = Ganesh, the dot represents overcoming unhappiness; its objective is overcoming unhappiness. 6. Dum (दूं) : The bija of Durga, d = Durga, u = protection and the dot refers to the act of protection. Its objective is protection. 7. Shrim (शà¥à¤°à¥€à¤‚) : The bija of Lakshmi, sh = Lakshmi, r = wealth, i = satisfaction and the dot represents overcoming unhappiness. Its objectives are prosperity and contentment. 8. Strim (सà¥à¤¤à¥à¤°à¥€à¤‚) : The bija of Vadhu, s = protection from crisis, t = saviour energy, r = Liberation (Mukti), i = Mahamaya (the Great Illusion) and the dot indicates overcoming unhappiness. Its objective is overcoming unhappiness. 9. Rhim (रà¥à¤¹à¥€à¤‚) : It is the bija of Brahman (Shiva) and Energy (Shakti), h = Shiva (Brahman), r = Prakruti, r = Mahamaya and the dot indicates overcoming unhappiness. Its objective is to overcome unhappiness. 10. Hum (हूं) : The bija of Varma or Kurcha, h = Shiva, u = Bhairav and the dot indicates overcoming happiness. Its objective is to overcome unhappiness. 11. Houm (हौं) : The bija of grace (prasadbija), h = Shiva, ou = grace of Lord Shiva or Sadashiv and the dot refers to overcoming of grief. Its objective is to overcome unhappiness with the grace of Lord Shiva or Sadashiv. 12. Kshroum (कà¥à¤·à¥à¤°à¥Œà¤‚) : The bija of Nrusinha, ksh = Nrusinha, r = Brahman, ou = Urdhvadanta and the dot represents overcoming grief. Its objective is overcoming unhappiness. Various combinations are created when bijas are combined. Two or more bijas can be combined. As a result, great diversity is created in the energy of the mantra for example,‘rhim shrim krim’ is a conjoined bijamantra. All the three bijas are various forms of the same energy - rhim = the Great Illusion (Maya), shrim = Lakshmi and krim = the deity Kali. According to the scriptures (Darshans) these three bijas represent creation, sustenance and destruction respectively. The Fetkarini Tantra gives the yogic meaning of some conjoined bijas, for example when rhim is joined twice it becomes a bija of coyness (lajjabija). This is considered to be the bija of the principle of entire creation. To illustrate this with an example, a legend states that at the time of creation of the universe The Creator felt coy for the first time. ‘Shrim’ means maintaining harmony between the functions of Lord Vishnu namely nurture and sustenance.’ B. Types of bijamantra according to the motive • 1. With worldly expectation (sakam): The mantra begins with rhim, shrim, klim, etc. • 2. Without worldly expectation (nishkam): The mantra commences with Om. All mantras originate from Om. It is a symbol of Brahman, God and the Vedas. Hence, the mantra ‘Om’ can bestow the Final Liberation (Moksha). • 3. Both with and without expectation: The bijas like rhim are suffixed to Om and are followed by the other letters in the mantra.

 

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