Bija Mantras

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 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.”
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
one’s own guru.

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What are bija mantras?

What are some common bija mantras described in the passage and their meanings?

Bija Mantras

“The supreme absolute (Parabrahman) exists in the human being (jivatma) as

Om is the famous bija mantra. It is known as Pranava or the salutation mantra.

The bija mantra Shrim is described as Vishnupriya – the beloved of Vishnu –

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