Mantric Meaning

“The Mantric Approach of the Vedas” is a work in progress by Vamadeva Shastri (David Frawley) to be published later this year.

Frawley a long time correspondent to the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of Trinidad & Tobago has kindly sent a  sampling of this interesting work in progress. Frawley, true to his trademark style, explains complex Hindu thought in simple language so that it makes sense to the Western mind. Frawley observes “The Vedas are mantric teachings. They consist of various mantric chants or hymns cognized by different seers or Rishis from the Cosmic Mind. They set forth Dharma or natural law, which is mantra in manifestation. As such the Vedas are impersonal and eternal, just as cosmic law cannot vary. This same mantric knowledge gives rise to different sciences (vidyas) according to the angle of vision with which we approach it.

Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology, Yoga, and Vedanta all arise from it and represent different ways of looking through it.” “The Vedic language is based upon an earlier more primordial language of seed (bija) mantras. These are single syllable sounds or roots like OM that have multiple meanings and indications depending upon their intonation and the intention with which they are used. Out of the bija or root language arises the language of the Vedic texts, which is already differentiated, though not fully, into nouns and verbs.”  Frawley introduces the reader to the Vedic mantric approach with a few important bija mantras and then the main Vedic chant, the Gayatri mantra, of twenty four syllables.” Frawley explains.

Five Main Bija Mantras  OM is the most important of all mantras. All mantras generally begin and often also end with OM. However, there is much confusion about OM. OM is the mantra of assent. It means yes and affirms and energises whatever we say after it. That is why all mantras begin with OM. OM is also the mantra of ascent and causes our energy to rise upward into the infinite. OM is expansive and increases the fire, air and ether elements, particularly ether. It also gives strength, protection and grace. It connects us with the guidance power of the inner Guru.

The Four Great Goddess Mantras : There are four great Goddess mantras that govern the prime forms of energy as magnetic force, electrical force, heat, and light. This is a Tantric teaching that reflects the Vedic Word and the four main Vedic deities. HRIM (pronounced Hreem) is the prime mantra of the Great Goddess and ruler of the worlds and holds all her creative and healing powers. HRIM governs over the cosmic magnetic energy and the power of the soul and causal body. It awakens us at a soul or heart level, connecting us to Divine forces of love and attraction. HRIM is the mantra of the Divine Maya that destroys the worldly maya. It has a solar quality to it but more of a dawn-like effect. It is charming and alluring, yet purifying. Through it we can control the illusion power of our own minds.

KRIM (pronounced Kreem) is the great mantra of Kali, the Goddess of energy and transformation. It governs over prana as lightning or electrical energy. KRIM grants all spiritual faculties and powers - from the arousing of kundalini to opening the third eye. It has a special power relative to the lower chakras, which it can both stimulate and transform. It helps awaken and purify the subtle body. As a mantra of work and transformation KRIM is the mantra of Kriya Yoga, the Yoga of practice. It is the main mantra of the Yoga Shakti. As it is a strong mantra it should be used with care.

HUM (pronounced Hoom) is a mantra of the inner fire or thermogenic force. It both calls the divine down into us and offers our soul upward to the Divine for transformation in the sacred fire of awareness. It is a Shiva mantra but also a mantra of Chandi, the fierce form of Kali. It is used to destroy negativity and creates great passion and vitality. As a powerful mantra it should also be used carefully. Yet it can be used in a more gentle manner to invoke divine grace and protection. Through it we can offer ourselves or our afflictions into the Divine for purification and transformation.

SHRIM (pronounced Shreem) is a mantra of love, devotion and beauty, relating to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Beauty and divine grace. Yet SHRIM works at a deeper level than merely to give us the good things of life, including health. It takes us to the heart and gives faith and steadiness to our emotional nature. SHRIM allows us to surrender to, take refuge in, or be immersed in whatever we offer the mantra to. It is the mantra of beauty and delight and has a pleasing lunar quality. It also relates to the head and can be used to flood the senses with divine beauty and delight. It promotes health and aids in fertility and rejuvenation.

HRIM is a mantra of the Sun, particularly in terms of illumination. It increases our aspiration and receptivity to Divine light, wisdom and truth. It is a mantra of the region of heaven or the consciousness space in which all the worlds exist. KRIM is a mantra of Indra, the supreme deity of the Vedas, the Divine as the cosmic lord and enlightenment force. It represents the force of the atmosphere (Atmic sphere) and carries the supreme life force. HUM is a Vedic mantra of Agni or fire. It is the mantra used to make offerings into the sacred fire. It represents the soul hidden the body, the Divine immanent in the world. It governs the earth and the material sphere in general. SHRIM is a Soma mantra. It purifies and integrates the various aspects of our nature and renders them into ambrosia.