Seed Sounds – Bija & Chakra Bija Mantras

Introduction

• Seed mantras are the basic sound structures that make up the energy of the universe. They’re also described as “experiences of energy.“
• Seed mantras are called bija mantras in Sanskrit.
• Traditionally, bija mantras are known as the most powerful mantras.
• Richard Rosen writes, “It’s believed that, just as a tiny seed contains a majestic tree, each bija contains vast amounts of spiritual wisdom and creative force. One of the oldest and most widely known of these seeds is om.”
• Bija mantras have no explicit translation.
• Chakra bija mantras are said to help activate the chakras and prepare them for the handling of energy. (Thomas Ashley-Farrand)

EXPERIENCES OF ENERGY

Unlike the words of everyday speech, bija mantras are experiences of energy in their own right. They are not symbols of other objects or experiences in the world. The word “chair” denotes an object with four legs, but seed mantras don’t represent objects or even feelings. They’re like the smell of a flower or the taste of an apple. Words don’t define those experiences. The experiences define the words. – Thomas Ashley-Farrand 

SEED SOUNDS PROVIDE THE CORE VIBRATION

Seed sounds, which can express the seed of a deity, a chakra, or energy — or even the universe, as om does! — provide the core vibration that blooms fully into the expression they reference. – Alanna Kaivalya

Fundamental Sounds

Here we offer considerations about a few of the fundamental sound forms. These sounds are not bija mantras in and of themselves (which are given below) but rather are sounds that often form a part of mantras.