Mantra notes                                             MANTRA04.TXT
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       The 51 matrikas (letters of the Sanskrit alphabet) constitute the
       Goddess in the form of sound.

       The supreme absolute (Parabrahman) exists in the human being (jivatma)
       as Shabda Brahman, the absolute as sound. Mantras are not prayers and
       the relationship of the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, whether
       consonants or vowels, he says, point to the appearance of devata
       (divinity) in different forms. An uttered mantra is the manifestation
       of a more subtle sound while mantras themselves are forms of Kundalini
       [a form of Divine energy.

       "By Mantra the sought for (Sadhya) Devata [divine principal] appears, 
       and by Siddhi [spiritual power] therein is had vision of the three
       worlds. As the Mantra is in fact Devata, by practice thereof this is
       known.

       The rhythmical vibrations of its sound regulate the unsteady vibrations
       of the sheaths [bodies] of the worshipper.

       Therefrom the image of the Devata appears." (op cit) Mantras are
       masculine (solar), feminine (lunar) or neuter.

       A female mantra is called a vidya, which means knowledge,

       Solar and neuter forms are called mantras.

       Mantras are only such if they were first revealed by a rishi or seer.
       Only then do they have life, according to the tradition. A mantra can
       only work if it is received from a guru who has, herself or himself,
       received it in an unbroken line from its first rishi.

       There are, however, exceptions to this, according to some tantras which
       prescribe methods of purification for mantras received in dream. And,
       according to Mahachinachara, the Kali mantra does not rely on the very
       elaborate rules usually found in the Tantras.

       In describing mantras, the different tantrik texts always give their
       origin or rishi as well as the metre to pronounce them.

       a mantra is divinity in sound form.

       Bija Mantras

       The word Bija means a seed and describes a mantra which is usually of
       one syllable.

       There are many tantrik 'dictionaries' of the matrikas which indicate
       their significance as well as the meaning of the bija or seed mantras.

       Longer mantras are often formed from a concatenation of these bijas.
       The table below is not exhaustive, there are many more bijas.

       Bija Mantras:

       Om
       Shrim
       Hrim
       Krim
       Hum
       Aim
       Phat
       Krom
       Svaha
       Klim
       Hum
       Hraum
       Drim
       Sphem
       Plrem
       Klrim Svaha
       Thah
       Prim
       Tham Tham Thah Thah
       Sphim
       Hrum
       Hrum
       Hskphrem
       Gam
       Blum

       Om is the most renowned bija mantra. it is somtimes refered to as the
       face of Kala. Revealed by Mahakala, it is the form of creation,
       maintenance and withdrawal.

       The bija mantra Shrim is described as Vishnupriya - the beloved of
       Vishnu - that is Lakshmi.

       The syllable Hrim is called the Maya bija. It is also Raudri. it is
       sometimes described as the Para or supreme bija.

       The bija mantra Krim is described as the pitribhuvasini, that is the
       goddess who dwells in the ancestral or cremation ground, Kali. It is
       also the dravana and kledana bija.

       Hum with the long letter 'u' is called the Kurcha bija and is the
       mantra of the Mother worshipped by heroes (viras). The Bhutadamara also
       describes it as the mantra of Mahakala.

       Aim is called Vagbhava bija and is the syllable of Sarasvati.

       Phat is the bija of the great fire at the end of time
       (Pralayagnirmahajvala).

       Krom is called the Krodhisha bija.

       Svaha, otherwise known as Thah Thah, is Vahnijaya, representing the fire
       sacrifice.

       Klim is the deluder of the three worlds bija, also known as Kama or
       Manmatha, the Hindu god of love, often identified with Krishna. It is
       the sexual desire bija.

       Hum (with the short letter 'u') is called the Kavacha or armour bija.
       It is the bija of Chandabhairavi.

       Hraim is the bija which destroys great sins (mahapataka), and is the
       light antra.

       Drim is called the great Kinkini (small bell) bija.

       Sphem is the Bhairava (Shiva) bija which comes at the end of a yuga.

       Plrem is the Vetala (vampire) bija.

       Klrim Svaha is called the bija which causes things to tremble. It is
       the Manohari and ends in Thah Thah (Svaha, see above).

       The mantra Prim is the crow bija. used in works of Indrajala (magic)
       sometimes described as the Vagura.

       Tham Tham Thah Thah are the bijas in the worship of the greatly
       alluring Chandika.

       Sphrim is the bija of the uncanny Dhumrabhairavi (smoky Bhairavi), also
       known as Phetkarini.

       The bija Hrum (with long letter 'u') is the single syllable mantra of
       Kalaratri, the great night of time.

       The same bija, but with a short letter 'u', is the mantra of
       Vaivasvata. Hskphrem, is the bija mantra of Ananda Bhairava in the form
       of one's own guru.