Bija Mantras?

[Guest guest]

I think I am understanding that the syllable of the bija mantra is the

condensed essence of the Diety. Am I correct? If not, please correct

me. Thanks! K

[Guest guest]

Not to stoke an unexpected fire, but to comment:

 

1. My original post was based on FACTS, and if one reads it, it was

certainly not a personal attack, but a recommendation/review of TAF's

materials based on my experience.

 

2. In email correspondance with NamaDev/TAF, he has admitted that he

doesn't give proper transliteration of the vowels, but refers to a

forthcoming CD (in other words, a hook to buy another product, make

more money).

 

3. Much of what's in his books is readily available on the internet

at various sanskrit sites,with the proper transliteration along with

being in Devangiri fonts, and Telugu, etc. and even some with

recordings.

 

4. The recordings on his site, the samples, in my humble opinion, do

not demonstrate siddhi of the mantras.

 

5. Mantras were many times learned by hearing it, not through written

words to accompany it. Through the ages, this would explain why

there are variations in pronounciation of the same mantra, with no

change in effectiveness. The differences of Tibetan buddhism's use

of Sanskrit is an entirely different debate. Even their

translations differ than India's. Considering India's languages

grew out of Sanskrit, and Tibetan Buddhism acutally combined Buddhism

with their original religion (Bumpo?), their translation and

pronounciation of Sanskrit is suspect.

 

6. Any real pundit or mantra scholar would have taken the time to

give proper transliteration of the written mantras, rather than try to

sell them a CD to learn it, which has it's flaws. Try listening to

traditional chanting and try to transcribe the long and short vowels

and you'll see what I mean. Each person's chanting style changes the

sound of the words.

 

7. I've never heard of Tantric Shakta mantras not starting with

"Om". I know with at least books (long mantras) it's traditionally

supposed to start with OM, Sri, or Atha.

 

Where all the flash fires came from, I don't know. Tune down the

emotions to clear up your thinking.

tom