Mantra Shastra

 

The indian Mantra Sastra is a foundation of many spiritual practices as rituals and meditations. It is the study of how to elevate one’s consciousness through mantric sounds to strike in a rhythm with the cosmic vibration of Shabda. The sastra contains the study of how each sound is produced and of its effects and how to develop the consciousness through these sounds and tune to the cosmic vibration of the primordial sound(Shabda - Akasha). 

The Varna mala is the set of basic elements from which all kinds of sounds emanate. There are seven basic varnas, a - e -u - ae - o - am - aH. These are the primal variations of the nada. With exception of 'ae' are these also seed syllables of several chakras.

In Hinduism, letters and vowels are assigned to the seven Matrikas:

  • Avarga (Class of vocals) – Yogīśvarī or Mahālakṣmī
  • Kavarga (ka, kha, ga, gha, ṅa) – Brāhmī
  • Cavarga (ca, cha, ja, jha, ña) – Māheśvari
  • Ṭavarga (ṭa, ṭha, ḍa, ḍha, ṇa) – Kaumārī
  • Tavarga (ta, tha, da, dha, na) - Vaiṣṇavī
  • Yavarga (ya, ra, la, va) – Aindrī or Indrāṇī
  • Śavarga (śa, ṣa, sa, ha, kṣa) - Cāmuṇḍā
  • pavarga (pa pha ba bha ma)

Mantra

 

Mantras are usually an essential part of a Sadhana. They are used for purification of the nadis and for transformation of prana and other energies and esoteric bodies.

A guru can often transfer a small part of his VAK to the student during Diksha and thus multiply the effectiveness.

A mantra is a combination of syllables and letters. A mantra has the longer to be repeated, the longer it is.

Long mantras contain combinations of combined letters. An example is the well known  'Om Namaha shivaya' or the  'Om Mani Peme Hum'.

Every letter of a mantra has his specific effect and meaning. This  is also a theme of the Quabbala.

There are many types of mantras like Bija-mantras and nama-mantras and dharanis. Many short Mantras are Bijas of the Chakras and their petals.

In the Vedas long verses are sung as mantra-samhitas. Many upanishades and similar tantric texts contain mantras für rituals.

The buddhist Vajrayana contains the Mantrayana and the Tantrayana.

The Mahayana mantra-practice of Amitabha is known as Nianfo.

Japa Yoga

 

From Japa Yoga: A Comprehensive Treatise on Mantra-Sastra, Swami Sivananda, The Divine Life Society, India, 1992, S. 94-99. ( PDF )

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). (Ann. The mantra is similar to Shivas 'haum'. Bhairava is Shivas Akasha-Side - U is more Maya which Bhairava solves up : EE is Mahamaya)

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.

SRI VIDYA

Sri-Vidya is the great mantra of Tripurasundari or Bhuvanesvari or Mahamaya. It is also called Panchadasi or Panchadasakshari because it is made up of 15 letters (KA E I LA HRIM - HA SA KA HA LA HRIM - SA KA LA HRIM). In its developed form it consists of sixteen letters, and it is called Sodasi or Shodasakshari.
The aspirant should directly get initiation into this mantra from a guru and should not start reading it for himself or try the japa of this mantra.

This is a very powerful Mantra and, when it is not properly repeated, it may harm the Upasaka. So it is imperative that it should be got directly from a Guru who has got Siddhi of this Mantra.

The general rule is that this mantra (Sri-Vidya) should be repeated only after passing through certain stages of self-purification through other mantras (such as 'Aim Kleem Sau' or 'Om Aim Hreem Shreem'). In the beginning a Purascharana of Ganesa-Mantra should be practiced, then Purascharanas of the Gayatri-Mantra, Maha-Mrityunjaya-Mantra and Durga-Mantra (Vaidika or Tantrika) should be practiced. After this, the Panchadasakshari and the Shodasakshari have to be taken up for Japa.

The Bija-Mantras and the Sri-Vidya should not be repeated by those who are not well acquainted with them. Only those who have a very good knowledge of the Sanskrit language and who have been directly initiated by a Guru (who has Mantra-Siddhi) can take up the Japa of Bija-Mantras and the Sri-Vidya. Others should not approach these Mantras and should do only their own Ishta-Mantras which are easy to pronounce and remember.

Mantra-Meditation (Swami Vishnudevananda)

 

I hereby state and fully affirm that any Bija mantras or alleged Bija mantras used by the various organizations have been in public domain for centuries. They are commonly known in India and parts of the west. They can be located in books which I and other authors have published and can be found in almost any free library. They are not the trade secrets of any particular organization.

Many of the Bija Mantras are listed in my book, " Meditation and Mantras ".My Guru, H.H. Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, listed these mantras in his work, "Japa Yoga" in the section on Bija Mantras. The effortless, passive repetition of these mantras is not unique to the practice of the defendants programs,and is common in all meditative practices. Here I quote points 8 and 9 from the 14 points of meditation outlined in Chapter2 of my book, "Meditation and Mantras":

8. Allow the mind to wander at first. It will jump around, but will eventually become concentrated, along with the concentration of prana.
9. Do not force the mind to be still. This will set into motion additional brain waves, hindering meditation.
If the mind persists in wandering, simply disassociate from it, and watch it as though you were watching a movie. It will gradually slow down.

If an individual who is unqualified or unprepared to begin meditation uses a bija mantra, negative physiological or psychological effects can occur.

The Yoga sutras of Patanjali and the practice of the formulas which result in siddhis are common practices taught throughout India. Many translations of the Yoga Sutras can be found in many libraries throughout the world. The Raja Yoga sutras have also been introduced to my students through my book "Meditation and Mantras" as taught by my own Guru, Swami Sivananda.

Further the goal of Yoga is not the obtainment of siddhis, and these powers are not to be sought as an end in themselves. Patanjali himself warns in chapter 3 of the Raja Yoga Sutras:

(37.) From that comes intuitional hearing, thought, sight taste and smell.

38. Te samadhau upasarga vyutthane siddhayah:
These are obstacles to the state of samadhi, though they are considered powers to the mind which is worldly.

Patanjali makes it clear that the siddhis described above are but temptations and distractions from the superconscious state. They only appear attractive to those who are steeped in worldliness, egoism and the desire for power. Seeking these powers can bring many physiological and psychological problems to the individuals concerned.

Translations of the Rig Veda - Mandalas 1 thru 10 and translations of the Jaimini Sutras are not the private, unique secret information of any particular organization, but rather are part of the scripural heritage of India and are commonly known and publicly used.

The information regarding the mantras, techniques and scriptural books listed above are most definitely not a copywritable unique body of knowledge, nor are they the trade secrets of the defendants various organizations. Rather they are an integral part of the rich cultural and scriptural heritage which belongs to India.

[30. June 1986]  [Signed Swami Vishnudevananda]  [Om Namo Narayanaya ... Om-Peace-Om Santi]

  • Meditation und Mantras - Swami Vishnudevananda, ISBN: 9783930716005
  • Japa - Yoga - Swami Sivananda

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