A Sacred Mantra
Aa Na Aim
Ee Ma Kleem
Wu Shi Sauh[2]
Ye Va Hreem
O Ya Shreem
Om Sri Agastheeshwara
Mahamuni Prabhuve Namaha.
The primordial sound, which is
the root of all mantras and sound itself is ‘Aum.’ This contains the syllables
‘Aa,’ ‘U’ (pronounced Wu) and ‘Ma.’ It signifies the seed from which everything
originates. It contains the very essence of creation, preservation, and
destruction!
There are several root sounds or
Bija[3] mantras that are
used in Sanskrit chanting. These Sanskrit syllables are used to chant and
invoke a specific frequency of sound that channels cosmic energy to our bodies.
This mantra is very special in
that it combines the two principles of creation itself! Two Bija mantras in
each line are drawn from the Shiva and Shakti principles from two already
powerful mantras.
One is the very famous and easy
Shiva Panchakshari Mantra. The other is the more secretive but powerful Maha
Shodasi Mantra.
The second letter in each line
from the top down forms the Panchakshari Mantra. These are Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya.
These denote the five different elements of creation. The elements of air,
water, fire, earth, and ether are present in these syllables.
The Shodashi Mantra has the
syllables Aum, Shreem, Hreem, Kleem, Aim and Sauh. It was devotee Manoj
Srivastava who identified these Bija mantras as being derived from the Maha
Shodasi Mantra.
‘Agastya Panchakshari Maha Mantra[4] is a powerful
combination of both these potent mantras. It is as if the entire concept of
creation and its creating principles have been beautifully captured into the
‘Sri Agastya Panchakshari Maha Mantra’!
It not only contains the five
elements of creation, but these are encapsulated with the very primal forces of
creation itself! The Absolute and the Manifest. The Absolute and the Creative
principle!
Interestingly, the Shiva
Panchakshari Mantra follows the same order in the Sri Agastheeshwara
Panchakshari Mantra, namely Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya. However, the Bija mantras of
Divine Mother from the Maha Shodashi Mantra follow a different order. Here they
appear as Aim, Kleem, Sauh[5],
Hreem, and Shreem.
It is only as you understand the
power of each of these mantras and their placement in the Sri Agasteeshwara
Panchakshari Mantra, that you understand that Sage Agastya has created a vortex
of power and in addition, worked the very purpose of Vazhipaadu itself into it!
At the very basic level of
understanding, the different Bija or root mantras or sounds used in this
incantation seem to indicate the following:
Aa Na Aim: Aa is Absolute
existence. Na is earth. Aim represents the principle of divine wisdom. It
represents the Guru, who dispels ignorance. So, when one begins chanting the
Sri Agastheeshwara Panchakshari Maha Mantra, one begins with oblation to the
Guru.
This clearly shows why it is important to connect to the
consciousness of a higher being like a Guru. Constant contemplation of the Guru
allows one to connect to the Guru’s own higher energy, thus paving the way for
speedy spiritual progress.
To understand this in layman terms, if a Guru’s
consciousness is like a radio, then the disciple or devotee’s efforts to
connect to that higher consciousness would be like tuning the frequency of the
sound waves to catch that particular wavelength.
The more the devotee tunes in to the Guru’s higher
vibrations, the more his own consciousness is uplifted!
As it is explained on the website mentioned in the footnotes on the previous page, it takes the aspirant to the deity by increasing his level of consciousness! So, we begin chanting this mantra, with deep devotion, focusing solely on the Guru!
Ee Ma Kleem: Ee is relative
existence. Ma is water. Kleem is associated with love and happiness. It unites
and bonds.
Kleem draws the divine energy from the aspirant who desires
to experience the state of bliss. Thus, the aspirant who has connected to the
consciousness of the Guru, while chanting the first line of the Sri
Agastheeshwara Panchakshari Maha Mantra, is now letting go of earthly desires,
in the pursuit of the ultimate - bliss one experiences through God
consciousness!
By the time the devotee begins to understand and experience
this second line of this powerful mantra, he has traversed the myriad
challenges of the spiritual path!
So as we chant the second line, we focus on detaching from
earthly desires and aiming towards final oneness with that Absolute joy that is
that latent divine consciousness that exists within each one of us!
Wu Shi Sauh: Wu is pervasive or continued existence.
Shi is fire. Sauh[6] represents final
liberation.
This perhaps is the most powerful of the five Bija mantras
in this particular composition, because scriptures are said to declare that
anyone who is able to explain the proper meaning of this Bija mantra is known
as Shiva himself. Such a person can attain liberation without any rites!
Now, we must remember at this juncture, that Sage Agastya
has declared in Vazhipaadu, that those who follow his guidance as given in
Vazhipaadu, can attain liberation without initiation.
So a devotee who has connected with the consciousness of his
Guru while chanting the first line, has let go of his earthly desires, in
pursuit of the ultimate
bliss as he chants the second line and is now at a stage where he can
understand the very essence of his own existence, thus becoming God conscious!
Ye Va Hreem: Ye is all. Va is air or manifest
existence. Hreem dispels sorrow and destroys enemies. Hreem contains the
important aspects of
divine light of Shiva, which is energy and space, aspect of fire, and focuses
on the individual’s energy and guides him on the path of dharma. This then is
the essence of Vazhipaadu itself!
At this point, the devotee who
has transcended the different stages of spiritual progress, now
has the ability to dispel the sorrow of others and dispel the enemy of maya or
ignorance.
So here Sage Agastya is showing
us that with the proper chanting and understanding of this mantra, and
following the path of Agastya or Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu, one can now lead
others!
So, this particular set of mantras is not just for personal
spiritual growth, it encapsulates the entire cycle of creation, where those
that gain liberation, return to assist others who are struggling as they
themselves once struggled! What a sublime idea!
O Ya Shreem: O is calling. Ya is space or relation
to. Shreem is abundance or wealth. It has the properties of faith, devotion,
love leading to surrender. And thus the cycle begins again with the aspirant
now leading others to light by establishing faith, devotion, and love.
For, it is only by evoking that strong magnetic vibration of
love and devotion, can one raise their consciousness to connect with the higher
energy of a Guru! Which brings us back to the first line of the Sri Agastheeshwara
Panchakshari Maha Mantra!
Thus this mantra encapsulates the entire cycle of an
aspirant reaching his goal and then leading others towards the goal. And
Vazhipaadu is the way!
One must remember that ‘Vazhipaadu’ is not just a text for
devotees of Sage Agastya, nor
is it specifically directed towards Hindu principles. Vazhipaadu, if explained
very simply, is all about understanding why things like suffering and pain
happen the way they do in the world. And by understanding that, gaining
knowledge which allows one to remove the very cause of pain and suffering, by
leading a righteous life.
For, having done that, one has laid a very strong foundation
for a spiritual life, the purity of which allows one to connect with higher
vibrations or consciousness if you will. Then wisdom dawns within each
aspirant, and he too becomes a light ready to lead others.
Venkatesh Kiran, spiritual son, and direct disciple of
Gajaraj Swamigal explains this beautifully in a video on YouTube called
‘Agastya Panchakshari Maha Mantra’ in the channel ‘Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu
-Agastya, The Path.’
Kiran recalls being told by Gajaraj Swamigal, never to chant
the mantra casually. He says, one needs to focus fully on the mantra and become
aware of the pronunciation of the Bija mantras and meditate on them. Kiran who
has been chanting this mantra for 20 years, attests to the power of this mantra
and explains that the Bija mantras Aim, Kleem, Sauh, Hreem and Shreem actually
activate the corresponding chakras[7].
·
Aim activates the Manipura chakra
·
Kleem, the Anahata chakra
·
Sauh, Vishudda chakra
·
Hreem, Ajna chakra
·
Shreem, the Sahasrara chakra.
He further explains why there are no Bija mantras that
activate Muladhara and Svadhisthana in this mantra. Once again, the answer, he
says, was revealed from within.
These two - Muladhara and Svadhisthana are the lower chakras
associated with body consciousness. To ascend on the spiritual path, one needs
to focus on the upper chakras. Hence, Manipura chakra which gets activated with
the sound of Aim, then becomes the bridge to the higher chakras. It is the
place of the Guru – Guru sthana[8].
As we chant the very first line of the mantra, we are invoking the Guru, to
help us move from Manipura to the higher chakras.
In this way, each line will act as a step forward on the
spiritual path.
While this is an attempt to explain the potency of the
mantra just based on the meaning of the corresponding Bija mantra, there are
layers of
meaning that Sage Agastya will reveal to those that practice this mantra with
devotion and faith.
[1] This mantra was given to Gajaraj Swamigal by Gnananda Swamiji of
Kannur. Gajaraj Swamigal would chant this along with devotees in all Satsang’s
and also give it to devotees who attended his lectures. After one such
occasion, Sage Agastya who was giving a discourse through Gajaraj Swamigal
referred to the mantra given by Gajaraj Swamigal and said, “This mantra will
prevail as a sacred mantra.”
[2] This is spelled as
Sauh in some instances and Souh in others. I have adapted Sauh as prominently
found in many texts.
[3] Bija mantra is a seed
mantra that is comprised of three little words. It signifies the seed from
which everything originates. Bija mantras are Om, kreem (power, wisdom, and
strength), Shreem(wealth), hroum (peace, liberation), kleem (not chanted alone,
(happiness and good fortune), hreem (destroys enemies and sorrow), gam
(fulfills all wishes), dam (attainment of happiness), ayeim (success in
intellectual tasks).
[4] This name was given
to this mantra by Venkatesh Kiran, a highly developed devotee of Sage Agastya
who was fortunate to be blessed with the potent Dattatreya rudraksha by Gajaraj
Swamigal. He also explains that this mantra is similar to ‘Om Aim, Hreem, Shreem,
Kleem, Chamundaya Vicchay’ Mantra.
[5] Explanations of these
bija mantras from the Maha Shodashi Mantra are taken from the beautiful
explanation given on the website. Please do read this great article to
understand this mantra in depth.
https://www.manblunder.com/articlesview/maha-shodashi-mantra-explained.
[6] Sauh is found in the
Maha Shodashi Mantra. One that understands the essence of this mantra becomes
competent for final liberation without any sacrificial rights. It must be noted
that it was earlier thought to be Suvah as in Gayatri mantra. However, devotee
Manoj Kumar pointed out that going by the other powerful mantras of Kleem,
Hreem, Shreem and Aim, which are part of the Maha Shodashi Mantra, it is
natural that this word is Sauh.
Interestingly, the very first line of the Maha
Shodashi Mantra contains all these five powerful bija mantras. Yet, they are
not in the order as given in this Sri Agastya Panchakshari Maha Mantra. In the
Maha Shodashi Mantra, the order of these mantras is Aum, Shreem, Hrim, Klim,
Aim, and Sauh.
[7] It becomes very
important not to confuse the activation of the chakras by these mantras to the
actual sound of the chakras that are widely known and accepted. The sound of
each chakra is denoted as follows: Lam for Mooladhara, Vam for Svadhisthana,
Ram for Manipura, Yam for Anahata, Ham for Vishudha and Aum for both Ajna and
Sahasrara chakras.
[8] Sthana: Place of the
Guru.
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