MANTRAS AND YOGA

Mantra in the Yoga tradition consists of the use of sacred sounds and intentions to transform the energy of the mind in a positive
direction. Mantra is probably the most powerful and commonly used of all yogic meditation methods. All the main paths of Yoga
– whether of knowledge, devotion or action, or whether Hatha, Raja or Kundalini Yoga – have their key mantras. Mantras can also
be performed to help us with concentration, with our work, dealing with emotions, for health, prosperity or overall well-being.
Mantras are of many types. Some are longer prayers and intentions, like the famous Vedic Gayatri mantra to the solar Godhead.
Others consist of the repetition of Divine names like the well-known mantra Om Nama Shivaya for Lord Shiva. Yet probably the
most important and simplest of all mantras are the single syllable mantras called “bija” or seed mantras starting with Oæ. They can
be used for meditation, worship of deities, energizing prana or for healing purposes – for all aspects of mantra practice. These main
bija mantras are also called “Shakti mantras,” as they are commonly used in the worship of the Goddess, who Herself, is the power
of sound and mantra.
Shakti bija mantras carry the great forces of Nature such as the energies of the Sun and Moon, electricity and magnetism, not simply
as outer factors but as inner potentials of Divine light, love and wisdom. Shakti mantras hold, resonate, and propel the Kundalini
force, the higher evolutionary power of consciousness, to flow within us. In this article, we will focus on the eight prime Shakti
bija mantras, their energies and usage for Yoga, for health, and for improving our karmas in life.
Pranic energy Ascending power of pure consciousness Oæ
Energy of sound Creative power of knowledge and guidance Aiæ
Solar energy Power of illumination and reflection Hrãæ
Lunar energy Power of reflection and devotion Írãæ
Electric energy Power of action, expression and transformation Krãæ
Magnetic energy Power of love and attraction Klãæ
Power of fire Power to purify, protect and remove negativity Hïæ
Power to stabilize Power to hold and conceive Strãæ
Eight Prime Shakti Bija Mantras and their Corresponding Powers
Shakti mantras relate to the primary forms of the Goddess or Divine
Mother. There are special Shakti mantras for each of the great
Goddesses, through which we can commune with them and gain
their grace. Shakti mantras are the primary mantras used in Tantric
Yoga, in which they are combined in various ways to bring about
different results. They have a great capacity for transformation that
can extend to the deepest layers of our consciousness and prana.
They should be approached with reverence and respect as the very
life blood of the Goddess.
Most Shakti mantras contain the vowel–Ã, the vibratory ee-sound,
which is the main primal sound of Shakti. Most contain the
consonant-R, which is the seed of fire, heaven, light, order and
dharma and has a stimulating and energizing effect. Some contain
the consonant-L, which is the seed of earth, water, joy and bliss
and has a calming and stabilizing effect. Many begin with either
the letter-H, which indicates prana, light and the Sun, or the letters
S or Sh, which indicate the Moon, the mind and water. Some like
Auæ or Aiæ consist of vowels only