Nyasa means a ritual practice that involves placing Bija (seed) or shakti mantras often in conjunction with a specific deity or chakra. I am describing Shakti Nyasa and Bija Nyasa. Nyasa are advanced forms of Hindu worship. They are performed to energise the Sadhaka’s body with Shakti and Bija mantras.
In Shakti Nyasa mantras are placed on different parts of the practitioner’s body. It is a way to divinize the body by symbolically placing deities on specific areas, visualizing them and reciting specific mantras with mudras. Shakti Nyasa is installation of the divine energies or powers (Shakti of each part of the mantra).
Bija Nyasa is installation of Bija seed syllables—single letter mantra with potential spiritual force.
Why should one observe Shakti or Bija Nyasa
- It energises the body – invokes divine forces into limbs, senses and chakras.
- Tuning to the Divine energy – aligns the practitioner with cosmic vibrations of the mantra.
- Protection and purity – creates an internal shield from negative energies.
- Awakens chakras – some Nyasas places Bija syllable at chakra points (kshetram) for activation.
Aum – primordial sound. Touching crown of the head.
Hrim – Shakti Bija – energy of the divine mother – touching the heart.
Klim – Mahakali Bija – attracting love and devotion – touching on the navel.
Aim – Saraswati Bija – knowledge and speech – touching on the throat.
Shraum – Shiva Bija – touching on third eye.
Swami Satyananda Saraswati has incorporated the practice of Nyasa in Yoga Nidra.
Aim Hrim Klim