Bija Mantra

MEANING OF BEEJ (BIJA) MANTRA

Mantras are sacred words, the syllable used since the ancient Vedic era, which is in Sanskrit and is used to invoke, and praise Gods, Goddesses and planets. It is said that the Sanskrit language has a close association with the fifty primaeval sounds and therefore is telepathic by nature. The vibration of the sound of the Mantras conveys our intention to the Cosmic world or God's bodies, through repetition or chanting/Japa and also has a calming effect on the mind, which can be transported to a meditative state. It is a fact that Mantras cannot be customized for an individual. Mantras given by Gurus during the initiation of disciples are taken from the existing Mantras, which the Guru feels will suit the individual.

The Beej Mantras or Bija Mantras are 'Seed' Mantras which are super powerful, used in invocations (in Sanskrit) of specific divine beings. It is the shortest Mantra, which is believed to have formed from the sound waves created when the Universe evolved to form. Each Beej Mantra is the sound frequency which is in alignment with that particular God/Goddess or Cosmic Energy that is being invoked. Reinforced by Japa or chanting, the Beej Mantras generate the energy of the invoked Supreme Being to flow in the body, when practised consistently. It is like a deep direct call to that particular Divine Being. Needless to say, they also have healing powers. There are some rules which are there which need to be followed when chanting Beej Mantras. A very important aspect of Beej Mantra Japa is the correct pronunciation, which directly affects the results of chanting.

Beej Mantras are single or compound letters like Hreem Beej Mantra is a compound.

Every Beej Mantra has deep meaning; they are like the foundation of a building, the seed. Trying to decipher these mystical Mantras is futile. The science of these Mantras may take centuries to be understood. They have been there in existence naturally, which were decoded and passed on from Rishis or Gurus to their disciples or students and have proven their value over time. Besides Gods and Goddess the Beej Mantras of Planets, like, Rahu Beej Mantra, Shani Beej Mantra etc., are advised to be chanted by Vedic Astrologers to strengthen the power of a weak planetary position in birth chart or Kundli of an individual and also to get respite from their malefic effects.

Persistently chanted with pure intention, the potent Beej Mantras can fulfil your desired intention. When chanting, it is important to have a calm state of mind, which can be done by the chanting of 'OM', as is practised commonly and then with full dedication chant the Beej Mantra. Beginning in OM and dissolving in OM, the Mantra comes in a full cycle.

Types of Beej Mantra

The basic primordial Vedic Beej Mantra is 'OM', and it is believed that all other Beej Mantras have taken birth from it. The type of Beej Mantras pertains to God or Goddess it signifies. The Beej Mantras types are :

• Yog Beej Mantra
• Tejo Beej Mantra
• Shanti Beej Mantra
• Raksha Beej Mantra

TEN BIJA MANTRAS

The Beejakshara Mantras mentioned below are single and compound letters which have certain common aspects, like the Bindu, which denotes dispelling sorrow, worship etc. While chanting, focus on God or Goddess with devotion and love. If intending to chant the Beej Mantras, it is advisable to learn the pronunciation from a proper Pandit, who knows the actual pronunciation. of the Beej Mantras are:

HAUM

This is the Shiva Beej Mantra. 'HA' denotes Siva and 'AU' is Sadasiva. While chanting this Beej Mantra of Lord Shiva, focus on Him with pure intention.

DUM

This is the powerful Maa Durga Beej Mantra where 'DA' stands for Durga, and 'U' is to protect. The Bindu here signifies action (worship or prayer). The sound of Nada depicts the Mother of the Universe, that is Divine Durga Devi.

KREEM

    
Mahakali Beej Mantra is to invoke Goddess Kali/Kalika. Here 'Ka' stands for Kali, 'ra' is Brahman and 'ee' is Mahamaya.

GAM

    
This is the Auspicious Ganpati Beej Mantra, and a popular Beej Mantra chanted to invoke Lord Ganesha. Ga means Ganesha, and Bindu is the dispeller of sorrow.

GLAUM

   
This is another Ganpati Beej Mantra where 'Ga' stands for Ganesha, 'La' denotes that which pervades and 'Au' means brilliance.

HREEM

This is the Goddess Mahamaya Beej Mantra, who is also known as Bhuvaneshwari, the Divine Mother of the Universe. In this Mantra 'Ha' means Shiva, 'ra' is Prakriti and 'ee' means Mahamaya. The Bindu denotes the dispeller of sorrow.

SHREEM

This is the Mahalaxmi Beej Mantra. In this Shreem Beej Mantra, 'Sha' depicts Mahalaxmi, 'ra' stands for wealth and 'ee' denotes contentment. Goddess Mahalaxmi is invoked with this Mahalaxmi Beej Mantra for money to be blessed with prosperity, wealth and abundance.

AIM

This is the Saraswati Beej Mantra, the Goddess of knowledge, education, Music and Arts. Here 'Ai' stands for Saraswati. Seekers of knowledge, students of any subject can gain from chanting the Saraswati Beej Mantra along with Her other Mantras.

KLEEM

The Kleem Beej Mantra is for the God of desire, Lord Kamdev. In this Kamdev Beej Mantra 'Ka' stands for Kamdev and is also said to be Lord Krishna and so can be called Krishna Beej Mantra also. 'La' is Lord Indra who rules over Heaven and 'ee' is for satisfaction.

HOOM

  
This Beejakshara is the Kaal Bhairav Beej Mantra. Lord Bhairav is one of Shiva's fierce forms. In this Kala Bhairava Beej Mantra, 'Ha' is Shiva, and 'U' is Bhairava. The Nada or sound signifies Supreme.

KSHRAUM

  
This Narsingh Beej Mantra is to invoke Lord Narasimha, Lord Vishnu's fierce Avatar, who protects His devotees. Here 'Ksha' is Narasimha, 'Ra' means Brahma, 'Au' means teeth pointing upwards.   

There are numerous other Beej Mantras for other Gods and Goddesses, namely:

• Vishnu Beej Mantra - Dam  
• Hanuman Beej Mantra - Fraum  
• Kuber Beej Mantra - Dhaam - For wealth, riches, luxuries and other material achievements, this Beejakshara Mantra of Lord Kuber may be chanted.   
• The Gayatri Beej Mantra is famous all over the world by itself. It is also used in combination with other Beej Mantras of Gods/Goddesses/Planets, which is said to have double benefits when chanted.   
• Dhanvantari Beej Mantra is to invoke Lord Dhanvantari, the God of healing health problems and can be called a Beej Mantra for health.
• The immensely powerful Lord Shiva Mahamrityunjaya Beej Mantra is popularly chanted to be protected from untimely death, and diseases of all kinds, including fatal ones.   
• Laxmi Narayan Beej Mantra, Ram Beej Mantra, Radha Krishna Beej Mantra, and Garuda Beej Mantra are from some of the Lord Vishnu Beej Mantras, each of which has resounding blessings of protection, happy family life, success and prosperity.
• The Durga Saptashati Beej Mantra, Navdurga Beej Mantra, is popularly chanted, especially during the Navratri festival. It includes the Beej Mantra of each of the nine manifestations of Goddess Shakti/Durga, like Maa Brahmacharini Beej Mantra, Mahagauri Beej Mantra, Maa Chandraghanta Beej Mantra, Siddhidatri Beej Mantra etc.   
• The Das Mahavidya Beej Mantra is tremendously powerful and includes the Beejakshara Mantras of the 10 Mahavidya Devis, like Maa Baglamukhi Beej Mantra, Mahakali beej Mantra and the other Devis of the Mahavidya. Other Devi Beej Mantras which are often used to chant are Kamakhya Beej Mantra, Tripura Sundari Beej Mantra for wealth, riches, prosperity, beauty, abundance and other Goddess Beej Mantras.

Some other Beej Mantras which are often chanted are Mahakal Beej Mantra, Dattatreya Beej Mantra (a form of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar), Aparajita Beej Mantra (is a name of Goddess Durga, the eternally victorious One ), Kartikeya Beej Mantra and the list continues as there are thousands of Beej Mantras which exist.

NAVGRAH BEEJ MANTRAS

As per Vedic Astrology, the Nine Planets in the Birth-chart or Kundli of a native have significance in life. The Navgrah Beej Mantras are chanted to get relief from the malefic effects of Planets. The Beejakshara Mantras of the Nine Planets are namely: Rahu Beej Mantra, Shani Beej Mantra, Surya Beej Mantra, Shukra Beej Mantra (Venus Beej Mantra), Guru Beej Mantra or Brihaspati Beej Mantra (Jupiter Beej Mantra), Chandra Beej Mantra/Moon Beej Mantra, Budh Beej Mantra, Mangal ka Beej Mantra which is Planet Mars Beej Mantra. When chanted with perseverance, it gives a beneficial outcome.

Chakra Beej Mantra 

For each Chakra or energy centre of our body, there is a Beej Mantra that aids in activating the Chakra. These have been successfully used since ancient times by the Rishis, Munis and wise ones. Practising the chanting of the Chakra Beej Mantras by focusing on the particular Chakra, gives beneficial outcomes and heals different aspects of life including health. The Chakra Beej Mantra for each of the Seven Chakras are:

• Muladhara (Root) Chakra Beej Mantra - LAM
• Swadhisthana (Sacral) Chakra Beej Mantra - VAM
• Manipura (Solar Plexus) Chakra Beej Mantra - RAM
• Anahata (Heart) Chakra Beej Mantra - YAM
• Vishuddha (Throat) Chakra Beej Mantra - HAM
• Agna/Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra Beej Mantra - OM
• Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra Beej Mantra - AUM

There are Beej Mantras for the five elements (Tatva), which are Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Ether. For example, the Agni Beej Mantra is 'Ram'. It can be chanted to increase the fire element in the body, healing ailments and diseases related to the Agni Tatva.

The Beej Mantras are tools to heal and help us when used with pure intention. Powerhouses of positive energy, even by merely hearing the chanting of the Beej Mantras, we stand to gain.