In the Vedas the mantra (sound) is the primary source from which the universe has sprung (in the Bible: “in the beginning it was the Verb”); it is the primordial vibration presents in every thing, the motor of the universe. Through the study and the search on the mantras the ancient wise man have discovered how we can be in harmony with the cosmos and with ourselves.
ॐ (Aum) it is the primordial sound, is the matrix of all that exists in the universe. it doesn’t have a particular meaning, it is rather a sacred syllable that represents the essence of the vital energy from which the creation has sprung. ॐ is the combination of three sounds: A – U – M. The A represents Brahma the creator, the conscience, the state of vigil. The U represents Vishnu the preserver, the subconscious, the state of dream. The M represents Shiva the destroyer, the unconscious, the state of deep sleep. It can be noticed as these three letters are tightly correlated with the endless breath of the universe, in which the three strengths of creation, preservation and destruction continually follow one another and how they are correlated with the three dimensions of the human conscience.
The utilization of the sounds for spiritual purpose is universally used. In a lot of religions the continuous repeating of a sentence or a sacred sound with the help of a rosary (japa mala) represents the highest form of meditation. The mantras are the best vehicle in the meditation because through them the mind calms the incessant flow of thoughts and it settles in a state of deep concentration.
Bija Mantras
Bija means seed, root. It is a very powerful Mantra that usually consists of a single syllable. The Bija Mantra evoke particular aspects of nature or of the divine, each Devata has his or her own Bija. The greatest of all Bijas is Om or Pranava, because it is the symbol of Para-Brahman.
The following table lists some of the most common Bija Mantras:
| Bija | Devata | Meaning – Element | |
| ॐ | auṃ / oṁ | Brahman | Absolute |
| ऐं | aiṃ | Sarasvati | Consciousness |
| ह्रीं | hrīṃ | Mahamaya – Bhuvaneshvari | Illusion |
| श्रीं | śrīṃ | Lakshmi | Existence |
| क्लीं | klīṃ | Kali – Kama | Desire |
| क्रीं | krīṃ | Kalika | Time |
| दुं | duṃ | Durga | Bestows Protection |
| गं | gaṃ | Ganesha | Bestows Happiness |
| ग्लौं | glauṃ | Ganesha | Bestows Happiness |
| हौं | hauṃ | Shiva | Bestows Protection |
| हुं | huṃ | Chandabhairavi | Kavacha Bija – Armour |
| हूं | hūṃ | Mother of Viras – Mahakala | Kurcha Bija – Bestows Protection |
| ह्रूं | hrūṃ | Kalaratri | Bestows Protection |
| ह्रुं | hruṃ | Vaivasvata (son of the Sun-Vivasvan) | Bestows Protection |
| लं | laṃ | Prithvi | Earth |
| वं | vaṃ | Varuna | Water |
| रं | raṃ | Agni | Fire |
| यं | yaṃ | Vayu | Air |
| हं | haṃ | Shiva | Ether |
| सौः | sauḥ | Shiva-Shakti | Cosmos – Heart |
| फत् | phat | Vidyujjivha | Astra Mantra (weapon mantra) |
| स्वाहा | svāhā | Svaha (consort of Agni) | Oblations – Sacrificial Fire |
| क्श्रौं | kśrauṃ | Narasimha | Bestows Happiness |
| हस्कफ्रें | haskaphreṃ | Ananda Bhairava – Guru | Bestows Protection – Inspiration |
Some Important Mantras
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे
om aiṃ hrīṃ klīṃ cāmuṇḍāyai vicce
om – The Pranava Mantra represents the Nirguna Brahman, the infinite beyond conception.
aim – The Vak beeja, the seed sound of Mahasarasvati. The knowledge that is consciousness. Creation, rajo guna, the energy of desire.
hrim – The Maya beeja, the sound of Mahalakshmi. The all pervasive existence. Preservation, sattva guna, energy of action.
klim – The Kama beeja, the seed sound of Mahakali. The all consuming delight. Destruction, tamo guna, energy of wisdom.
camunda – The slayer of the demons Chanda and Munda, of passion and anger.
yai – the grantor of boons
vicce – in the body of knowledge, in the perception of consciousness
Why Gayatri Mantra is so popular?
Gayatri Mantra is from one of the oldest texts ‘Rig Veda’, composed by Sage Vishwamitra. It is a popular belief that Vishwamitra after long practice and penance discovered Gayatri mantra which according to him was not just a boon for himself but for the entire mankind. Upon chanting this mantra, the chanter and the listener both are most benefited with the vibrational positive energy of the mantra. And the fact that many practitioners have found Gayatri mantra so enriching, it has become popular over the centuries.
The Analysis (Dissection) of the Gayatri Mantra:
ॐ (OM): The primeval sound
भूः (Bhur): Earth = Mooladhara; the physical body/physical realm
भुवः (Bhuvah): Akash; the life force/the mental realm
स्वः (Swah): Heaven= Swadhishthana; the soul/spiritual realm
महः (Maha): Heart region.
जनः (Jana): To say ‘no’ for life and death.
तपः (Tapa): Ascetic practices in vishuddhi & Agnya.
सत्यम् (Satyam): Up to the Third Eye ( Brahma-Randhra ).
तत् (Tat): That – situated as it is; That (God)
सवितुर् (Savitur/Savita): Sa + Va + Ta = Sun, Ganges, Fire, Earth etc. including those endowed with knowledge and yoga.
र्वरेण्यं (Vareñyam): Va + Re + N + Ya + M : God Varuna; adore
भर्गो (Bhargo): Bha + Ra + Ga; effulgence (divine light)
देवस्य (Devasya): Da + Va + S + Ya; Supreme Lord
धीमहि (Dhīmahi): Dha + Ma + Ha; meditate
धियो (Dhiyo/Dhiya): Dha + Ya; the intellect
यो नः (Yo Nah): Ya + Na; May this light, Nah: Our
प्रचोदयात् (Prachodayāt): Pa + Ra + Cha + Da + Ya + T; illumine/inspire
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra in Sanskrit with Meaning
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॥
Transliteration:
oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe
sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam।
urvārukamiva bandhanān
mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt ॥
Hindi Translation:
हम त्रिनेत्र धारी शिवकी आराधना करते हैं, जो अपनी शक्ति से संसार का पालन करतें हैं।
उनसे प्रार्थना है कि वे हमें जीवन व मृत्यु के बंधन से मुक्त करे और हमें दिखा दे कि हम कभी भी अपनी अमर प्रकृति से अलग नहीं होते हैं॥
English translation:
I worship that fragrant Shiva of three eyes, the one who nourishes all living entities.
May he help us severe our bondage with samsara by making us realise that we are never separated from our immortal nature.
Source: Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, Rigved 7.59.12
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a boon to humanity and a panacea to all forms of ailments – Physical, Mental, Intellectual and Spiritual. The deeper one delves into the ocean of knowledge that this verse is, the more valuable are the pearls of wisdom.
Cont: Part – 2
Leave a Reply