THE BIJAKSHARAS OF SRI MATA (Soundarya Lahari 33)

Sri Mata is described as, “ Kulangana Kulantastha Kaulini Kulayogini

Akula Samayantasta Samayachara tatpara” in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra.

She is the Lady of Kula, resides in Kula; She is named Kaulini and Kulayogini. She is also called Akula, the one with in the Samaya and involved in the practices of Samayachara. Chanting of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra will be more effective when the slokas are recited with the key syllables of Devi or the Bijaksharas of Sri Lalita Maha Tripurasundari which are Aim, Hrim and Srim. Every Nama of Sri Mata has to be prefixed with these key syllables for effective result! The vibration that the Sadhaka attains when he does so is spiritually elevating and wonderful!

In this thirty third sloka of his classical composition, Soundarya Lahari, Sri Sankara  points out how some of the experienced followers of ‘Samayachara’ perform upasana of Sri Mata prefixing the Bijaksharas before every Nama. Sankara says, “ O Mother without a beginning and end! A few very well experienced followers of ‘Samayachara’ perform your upasana by prefixing your Bijaksharas before every Nama of yours! The first Bijakshara is ‘Aim’ of Kamaraja. The second one is ‘ Hrim’ Yoni or Bhuvaneswari bija; the third syllable is ‘Srim’ which is Lakshmi bija! These upasakas have tasted the spiritual bliss of chanting the Mantras with the Bijaksharas. They chant your name with rosaries of chintamani stones! They offer their sacred offering or ‘ahuti’  to You, the base of the Triangle “ Sivagni” with streams of ghee from the very Kamadhenu, the wish fulfilling holy cow of Heaven! TheTrikona is nothing but the ‘Bindu sthana!”

The word “ Maha bhoga” in general means abundant wealth and power. It suggests final beatitude or salvation. Akshara means that which has no decay. It can be Sabda Brahman or chit kala linked to the three Gunas Satwa, Rajas and Thamas. Chintamani - guna' is the “collection of Matras strung in the form of a rosary.” “ Smara, “Yoni”, “Lakshmi” stand for Ka, E,and I respectively.

One has to develop the mental attitude of “Sivoham”-I am Siva” He has to burn in this fire of wisdom all worldly Samskaras, and mental attitudes like egoism, lust, greed, pride and others! In the same way one has to offer in the sacrificial fire or homa  all his Indriyas, the five sheaths or Kosas, the three Gunas, all vasanas or tendencies, thrushnas or desires! These offerings constitute the highest Yajna or Supreme Homa!