Bija mantra

[Sanskrit, “seed”] Every object or being has its own seminal sound, or bija mantra, which contains the blueprint of the energy patterns that compose it. Over thousands of years, ancient tradition has brought forth the bija sounds of many of the most exalted beings, as well as the seven chakras and the elements of earth, air, water, and fire. By performing japa, or repetition, with a bija mantra, we create a harmonic resonance with the being or element whose seminal sound is that bija mantra.

In a linguistic sense, bijas have no meaning in and of themselves. But mantra yogis fully realize that the Shakti, or potent force of the Divine Being, is transmitted to the one who is chanting the mantra.

Sources

The Coming Revolution in Higher Consciousness, Spring 1981 issue.