Bijas

Bija, from Sanskrit bīja meaning seed, refers to seed syllables used as bija mantras in Hinduism, Vajrayana Buddhism, and related yogic traditions. Bijas are short, monosyllabic sounds believed to encode essential energies and deities. In practice they serve as concentration anchors and aids to awaken inner energy in meditation, ritual, and mantra yoga. They are commonly linked to the chakras and to specific deities.

Common bijas include lam, vam, ram, yam, ham, and om. In many schemes these sounds map to the six major chakras: lam to Muladhara, vam to Swadhisthana, ram to Manipura, yam to Anahata, ham to Vishuddha, and om to Ajna. Practices vary, and some traditions treat sahasrara differently or as silent.

Beyond these, devotional bijas link to particular deities, such as shreem (Sri, Lakshmi), hreem (goddess energies like Mahalakshmi or Mahakali), kleem (attraction), aim (Saraswati), krim (Kali or Durga), and gum/gam (Ganesha). These seed sounds appear in mantras, yantras, and ritual invocations to evoke specific energies, blessings, or protection.

Use of bijas is typically transmitted through lineages and practiced with guidance from a teacher, with emphasis on correct pronunciation, intention, and breath control. Etymologically, bijā means seed, reflecting their perceived role as seed-like carriers of spiritual power.