Ritual

Chakras in the etheric body.
Rajasthan, 18th century. Ink on
paper. Running parallel to the
organic body of the yogi is the
cosmocized etheric body with its
astral and vital currents. This
invincible and intangible body
serves to provide cosmic cross-points
at several junctures through the
body's seven psychic centres and
two main nerve channels, Ida on
the left side and Pingala on the
right. The yogi can terminate their
separate functions by reconciling
them into the central channel,
Sushumna.
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things', 'mother of vibrations' and 'key to eternal wisdom and
power'. These are a few examples of seed mantras and their
meanings:
Hrim: bija mantra of the goddess Bhuvanesvari, the female
energy of the spheres. According to Varada Tantra, H = Siva,
R = Sakti, I = transcendental illusion; the nasal sound
m = progenitor of the universe.
Krim: Kali-blja representing the power over creation and
dissolution; recited mainly for the conquest of limitations.
K = Kali, R = absolute, I = transcendent power of illusion;
m = primal sound (Varada Tantra).
Sum : Lakshmi-bija; represents the female energy of abundance
and multiplicity; recited for the attainment of worldly joys and
gains. S = transcendent divinity of abundance, R = wealth,
I = fulfilment; m = limitlessness.
Klim: bija mantra of the procreative desire of Siva as Kama;
represents joy, bliss, pleasure. K = transcendental desire, L = lord
of space, I = satisfaction; m = pleasure and pain.
In a similar way, Krom stands for Siva, Aim for Sarasvati, Em
for yoni, Phat for dissolution, and so on.
The bija mantras are primarily intended for japa, or repetition.
They are repeated and counted on the beads of a rosary which
consists of 12, 18, 28, 32, 64, 108 or more seeds. The technique of
japa involves the synchronization of a sound, the number of
rhythmic repetitions and the sound's symbolic meaning. Mantras
which are not audibly repeated but are internal are called ajapajapa;
they generate ceaseless vibrations of a monosyllabic sound.
The mantric sound of ajapa-japa is assimilated in such a way that
with constant practice it is produced effortlessly with the
individual's breathing in and out. Incessant repetition of the
mantra gathers so powerful a momentum that repetition of a
phonic sound like ham-sa can make the sound vibrate in an
inverted form, i.e.. 'sa-ham' or 'so-ham', 'this am I', or 'I am He.' It
is only when all these factors are in accord that a favourable
concomitance is achieved.
The main function of the mantra is identification with or
internalization of the divine form or its energy. The bija mantra,
when repeated in accordance with the rules of the doctrine, serves
as a means of anchoring or centering auditory perception and is a