There are eight, total primary Bija mantra according to the Mantra Yoga Samhita. Aum, Aim Hrim, Klim, Krim, Shrim, Trim and Strim. The Shakti Bija mantras are considered the most important of all mantras for meditation, worship of deities, energizing prana or for healing purposes.

They carry the great force of nature or Shaktis such as energies of the sun, moon, fire, water, electricity and magnetism, not simply as outer factors but as inner potential of Divine Light and energy. Mantras are vibrations which influence the elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. Sound is the first attribute that is perceived in Aakash tattva or infinite space. This sound was perceived by yogis in higher states of meditation.

The yogis perceived three different ranges of sounds or mantras. The first range is the ultra-low sound, the ultra-low vibration, the ultra-low frequency. It represents a state of balance between the tattvas at the cosmic level. Sounds heard in the ultra-low frequency range are not in the form of words, but in the form of NADA. Sounds like Aum, Hrim, Lam, Ram or Vam fall into this category. These single syllable sounds are called Bija Mantras.

Bija Mantras

Bija mantras are seed vibrations. The meaning of Bija is seed and just as a seed has an inherent potency for the development and growth of a tree, the latent potential of the mantra, its consciousness and power are inherent in the seed sound. Bija mantras modify different areas of the mind, brain and consciousness.

When we repeat the mantra Hrim for Devi or the mantra Aum, it is a single syllable sound that we are creating. It is just one letter. This letter in Sanskrit is called Akshara. Shara means that which decays or changes and Akshara means that which does not change, alter or decay. Therefore, the single digit mantras are aksharas and they represent the transcendental nada.

Nada is a divine sound, and its vibrations are integral to creation, and spiritual realization. It is also the connection between Brahman and the manifest world, highlighting its essential role in meditation and higher consciousness. It is the transcendental vibrations, which are beyond the human auditory range. It is a very deep resonance.

The Rama mantra is a mantra of peace and tranquility. If one wishes to calm a restless mind, then Rama mantra chanting for five minutes will quieten the mind. If one is feeling lazy then mantra Ram, without the long ‘a’ sound. Being the seed sound of the fire element, it will immediately fill one with energy.

Liberate yourselves with mantra chanting.

Extracted from Mantra and Yantra by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati.

Aim Hrim Klim