In the yogic tradition, a mantra is a sacred syllable, word, or phrase that is repeated during meditation or prayer.
They are powerful tools to help you calm your mind and help you focus your attention, making them great for beginner meditators, yogis, and frequent practitioners alike.
The word “mantra” comes from the Sanskrit words “man” (mind) and “tra” (tool); a mantra is a tool for the mind.
Bija, meaning seed in Sanskrit, are monosyllabic sounds that will help you connect to different energies, deities, elements, and the Universe as a whole to help you realign in body mind, and spirit.
In this article, we will share with you:
- What are Bija Mantras?
- Bija Mantra for chakras
- The element Bija Mantras
- Harnessing Shakti Energy through Bija Mantras
- Importance of Bija Mantras in Meditation and Yoga Practice
- How to chant Bija Mantras
Read on to learn more about seed mantras with us!
What are Bija Mantras?
Bija (or Beej) Mantras are single-syllable sounds that are used in mantra meditation.
The word Bija in Sanskrit translates as seed, yet each individual bija mantra does not have a direct translation, since they are energetic in nature. They are the most fundamental sounds of nature representing the purest form of sound vibration.
One of the most ancient Mantras is the sound of Om.
Seed mantras have powerful spiritual and healing properties, and there are three main types of Beej mantras, each of them associated with a different chakra, element, or Shakti energy.
All three of these practices can be a great complement to any yoga or meditation practice where you’d like to explore the subtle body.bija mantra for chakras
We cannot talk about the Bija Mantras without diving into the chakras first, since the sounds of beej for chakras are some of the most popular ones.
Chakras are the energy centers located along the spinal column, and when chanting of these seed mantras you can greatly influence and balance the energy within you.
In the subtle body, the chakras are seen as vortices of energy that spin and rotate, and they are responsible for our inner and outer harmony; for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
The chakras are interconnected, meaning that when one chakra is imbalanced, it will affect the other chakras.
By bringing your chakras into harmony, we can improve our overall well-being.
Each chakra is associated with a color, a sound – the Bija Mantra – a symbol, and a deity, which can be utilized in meditation, pranayama, and asana practices to invoke this balance.
There are seven main chakras, and they are located at the following points of the spine:
- Muladhara Chakra (red): the root chakra, at the base of the spine.
- Svadhistana Chakra (orange): the sacral chakra, right below the belly button, in the pelvic region.
- Manipura Chakra (yellow): the solar plexus chakra, right above the navel
- Anahata Chakra (green): the heart chakra, right in the center of the chest
- Vishuddha Chakra (blue): the throat chakra, in the middle of the throat
- Ajna Chakra (indigo): located right between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra
- Sahasrara Chakra (violet): the crown chakra sits at the top of the head
It is important to note that, just like with any other practice, especially when you first get started, Bija Mantras should only be chanted under the guidance of a qualified teacher.
Chanting any of the Bija Mantra for chakras can help you balance and align these energy centers because of the sound and vibration created, which help to stimulate prana in the body.
The seven Bija Mantras are (in order of chakras listed above):
- Lam
- Vam
- Ram
- Yam
- Ham
- Om
- Aum
If you want to hear how to chant them, try this video.
the element bija mantras
The 5 elements are the basic building blocks of the universe, and they are often associated with different emotions, thoughts, and qualities.
Each seed mantra, therefore each chakra, is associated with an element:
| Chakra | Element | Bija Mantra | Explanation |
| Muladhara Chakra (root chakra) | Earth | Lam | Earth is associated with stability, security, and grounding. |
| Svadhisthana Chakra (sacral chakra) | Water | Vam | The element of water correlates with your emotions, intuition, and creativity. |
| Manipura Chakra (solar plexus chakra) | Fire | Ram | The element of fire connects you with your power, drive, and motivation. |
| Anahata Chakra (heart chakra) | Air | Yam | Air is interrelated with our ability to communicate and express ourselves more clearly and freely. |
| Vishuddha Chakra (throat chakra) | Space | Ham | The element of space is associated with detachment, non-attachment, and awareness. |
| Ajna Chakra (third eye chakra) | Light | Om | Although light is not considered one of the 5 elements that form all that is, in yoga, light as an element connects you to enlightenment, bliss, and oneness. |
| Sahasrara Chakra (crown chakra) | Consciousness | Aum | Although also not really an element, consciousness relates to our connection to the Universe, divinity, or the God of our own understanding. |
harnessing Shakti Energy through Bija mantras
Shakti (Sanskrit: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti) is the Hindu concept of divine feminine energy or power and is often personified as a goddess.
Shakti is the active or dynamic aspect of the divine, while Shiva is the passive or static aspect, and together, they represent the two complementary aspects of the divine.
Shakti is the feminine energy of the universe, and is responsible for:
- Creativity: Shakti is the source of all creation, both in the physical and spiritual realms. It is the power that gives birth to new ideas, new forms, and new life.
- Transformation: This energy is synonym for transmutation, it gives us the strength to change our own lives for the better and helps us overcome challenges and obstacles.
- Liberation: Shakti energy is liberation; It frees us from our limitations to reach our full potential.
Each chakra, Bija Mantra, and element is also directly associated with a different quality of Shakti, and its corresponding deity.
The Shakti Bija Mantras and their associated deities are:
- Om Mantra: Ishvara, the trinity.
- Aim Mantra: Saraswati
- Hrim Mantra : Durga
- Krim Mantra: Kali
- Klim Mantra: Krishna
- Shrim Mantra: Lakshmi
- Strim Mantra: Tara
- Hum Mantra: Shiva
Importance of Bija Mantras in Meditation and Yoga Practice
In meditation and yoga asana, Bija Mantras hold significant importance and are often used as a tool for focus, concentration, and spiritual awakening.
If you are interested in learning more about balancing your chakras through asana, try this class on youtube.
Here are some reasons why Bija Mantras are important in meditation and yoga practice:
1. They can help you achieve a tranquil state of mind
Bija Mantras have a calming effect on the mind and can be used to silence the internal chatter that often distracts us during meditation and yoga practice.
The repetition of these mantras helps to cultivate inner peace and tranquility, bringing the mind to a state of serenity.
2. Seed Mantras aid in the awakening and balancing of the chakras
Each chakra in the body has its corresponding Bija Mantra, and chanting these mantras can help to activate and balance the energy centers.
3. They help improve concentration and focus
The repetitive nature of chanting Bija Mantras can help to focus the mind and bring it into a state of deep concentration. This can help to enhance your ability to focus on various activities, from daily tasks to spiritual practices.
4. Bija Mantras are great companions for those seeking spiritual growth
Bija Mantras are believed to be a form of direct communication with the divine, and chanting them can help to connect with the inner self and the transcendent realm.
This often leads to a heightened sense of spirituality and inner growth.
how to chant Bija Mantras
Here’s some guidance on how to chant Bija Mantras:
- Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
- Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight.
- Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
- Focus on the Bija Mantra that you want to chant.
- Chant the mantra slowly and deliberately, focusing on the sound and vibration of the mantra.
- Focus your energy on the placement of each chakra, or imagine the color of each seed mantra as you chant them.
- Continue chanting for as long as you like.
- When you are finished chanting, take a few deep breaths and open your eyes.
If you’re new to the practice, also keep this in mind:
- You can chant them aloud or silently, whatever is most comfortable.
- You can chant them by yourself or with others.
- You can chant them for any length of time.
- You can chant them any time of day.
It is important to find a method of chanting that works for you and that you enjoy. There is no right or wrong way to chant Bija Mantras.
What matters most is to be sincere and to have a positive intention when engaging in the practice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bija Mantras play a vital role in meditation and yoga practice to help focus the mind.
Incorporating them into our practice can help to bring a sense of calmness, enhance concentration, activate the chakras, and promote spiritual growth.
If you’d like to know more about mantra meditation practice, check out this article.
