Bijamantra, Bījamantra, Bija-mantra, Bijamamtra: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Bijamantra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)
Bījamantra (बीजमन्त्र) (or simply Bīja) refers to a “mono-syllable sound” and represents one of the four main parts of Mantras, according to the Śrīpraśṇa Saṃhitā (verse 51.4-7).—Mantras refers to “that which is chanted by people to obtain their spiritual aspirations”.—The Śrīpraśṇasaṃhitā gives a detailed explanation of the logistics of a basic mantra. The praṇava, or Om, is the sound equivalent of Brahman. i.e., Śabda Brahman, while the bījamantras are diverse forms of various aspects of the different gods and goddesses. The mantra of a devatā is itself the devatā. A mantra bereft of bījākṣara is all but futile. Bījākṣaras are the very life or essence of mantras even as the vital airs and mind are to living beings.
Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Bījamantra (बीजमन्त्र) (or the Garuḍa-Bīja-Mantra) refers to one of the four types of Garuḍamantras, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā (Toxicology).—The Garuḍa-Bījamantra is composed of the syllable ‘e’ denoting Viṣṇu ending with kha along with the nasal sound. The praṇava is invoked at beginning and conclusion of the mantra. In other words, ‘kham’ is the bījākṣara (single-syllable) recited with Praṇava as—‘Om kham Om’ – this is well-known as Garuḍa-ekākṣara-mantra. Dakṣa is the Ṛṣi of this mantra whose metre is Viṣṭara. Suparṇa is the deity while, śakti itself will be the bīja. This has to be chanted as per mandated procedure with the corresponding aṅga and kara-nyāsas encompassing the whole body of the aspirant.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Bījamantra (बीजमन्त्र) refers to syllables such as Praṇava (i.e., Oṃ), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.2 (“The Prayer of the gods).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Śiva: “[...] Among the burning ones, you are the fire, among the devotees of Śiva, you are Viṣṇu, among Purāṇas you are Bharata; among the letters of the alphabet you are the letter Ma. Among the Bījamantras you are the Praṇava; among the terrible ones you are poison; among the pervading ones you are the firmament; among the Ātmans you are the supreme Ātman. [...]”.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Bījamantra (बीजमन्त्र).—a mystical syllable with which a Mantra begins.
Derivable forms: bījamantraḥ (बीजमन्त्रः).
Bījamantra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms bīja and mantra (मन्त्र).
Bījamantra (बीजमन्त्र):—[=bīja-mantra] [from bīja] n. Name of a mystical syllable of a Mantra (cf. above), [Horace H. Wilson]
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Bījamaṃtra (बीजमंत्र) [Also spelled beejmantra]:—(nm) the essential [maṃtra] for propitiating a deity.
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Kannada-English dictionary
Bījamaṃtra (ಬೀಜಮಂತ್ರ):—[noun] a hymn that has a mystical significance.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Bījamantra (बीजमन्त्र):—n. a mystical syllable with which a mantra begins;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Mantra, Bija.
Full-text (+34): Mantrabija, Pranavabijamantra, Bija, Yam, Jnanarnavatantra, Jnanarnava, Ham, Vam, Lam, Ram, Matrika Varna, Kalacakra, Bijmantra, Krim, Beejmantra, Saptashatabijamantravidhana, Matangi, Acamana, Mrityunjaya, Nyasa.
Relevant text
Search found 59 books and stories containing Bijamantra, Bija mantras, Bija-manta, Bīja-manta, Bija-mantra, Bīja-mantra, Bijamamtra, Bījamaṃtra, Bijamanta, Bījamanta, Bījamantra; (plurals include: Bijamantras, Bija mantrases, mantas, mantras, Bijamamtras, Bījamaṃtras, Bijamantas, Bījamantas, Bījamantras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 619 < [Bengali-Hindi-English, Volume 3]
Page 454 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 2]
Page 454 < [Hindi-Marathi-English Volume 2]
Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study) (by Srider Basudevan Iyer)
The concept of Mantra (instrument of thought) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Types of worship < [Chapter 4 - Worship and The Worshipper]
Initiation or Diksa of Mantra < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study) (by Ashok Majumdar)
8. The concept of Mantra (mental sound) < [Chapter 5 - Exposition of Thought science, Tantra and Mantra]
Pranayama technique (7) Sahita (“with”) < [Chapter 2 - The Eight Components of Yoga]
2. Evolution of the World of Things (Artha-prapancaka) < [Chapter 5 - Exposition of Thought science, Tantra and Mantra]
Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Chapter 301 - The mode of worship of Sun (sūrya-arcana)
Chapter 293 - Different kinds of mantras and their nomenclature
Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 24 - The mode of worship of Śiva (Continued) < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]
Chapter 22 - The consecration of the Tattvas < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]
Chapter 25 - The holy rites of fire pertaining to Śiva < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]
Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 27 - The rite of sacrifice < [Section 7.2 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (2)]
Chapter 2 - The Prayer of the gods < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 25 - The greatness of Rudrākṣa < [Section 1 - Vidyeśvara-saṃhitā]
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