Śrī parāṣoḍaśī Aṣṭa-viṃśadyakṣara Mantraḥ (श्री पराषोडशी अष्ट विंशद्यक्षर मन्त्रः)

 

Source :- Prapañcasāra sāra saṅgraḥ.

Purpose :- Supremacy over all triads, self-realization and liberation.

Pre-requisites :- Any forms of Ṣoḍaśī, especially Mahāṣoḍaśī is highly recommended.

Special Note :- Śrī parāṣoḍaśī is associated with the ūrdhvāmnāya  (Upper or higher) tradition of Śrī Vidya. The popular kadi mata (kadi tradition) extolled by the Paraśurāma Kalpa Sūtrās, does not mention this mantra and the Mahāṣoḍaśī mantra itself is considered supreme. However, some schools such as the ūrdhvāmnāya tradition of Śrī Vidya, prescribe this mantra as the liberation giver. Usually, this comes after completing the Mahāṣoḍaśī mantra and acquiring the Mahāpāduka mantras associated with the pūrṇābhiṣeka rituals. The purpose of this mantra, is clearly for attaining liberation through the dissolution of all triads and diads and unification with the singular reality.

1.viniyogaḥ (विनियोगः) :-

om̐ asya śrī parā ṣoḍaśī mahā mantrasya

nārāyaṇa ṛṣiḥ ।

gāyatrī chandaḥ ।

parā śrīrdevatā ।

śrīm̐ bījaṃ ।

hrīm̐ śaktiḥ ।

klīm̐ kīlakaṃ ।

jīvan mukti prasādaye jape viniyogaḥ ॥

ॐ अस्य श्री परा षोडशी महा मन्त्रस्य

नारायण ऋषिः ।

गायत्री छन्दः ।

परा श्रीर्देवता ।

श्रीँ बीजं ।

ह्रीँ शक्तिः ।

क्लीँ कीलकं ।

जीवन् मुक्ति प्रसादये जपे विनियोगः ॥

Meaning:- This prayer/mantra japa is to invoke Śrī Parāṣoḍaśī and perform Her mantra japa to obtain Her complete grace in all aspects, specifically jīvan mukti or mokṣa (liberation). The sage (ṛṣiḥ) is the Preserver Lord Nārāyaṇa , the meter (chandas) for the mantra is gāyatrī  and the deity is the grantor of liberation - Śrī Parāṣoḍaśī, the seed (bījaṃ) is śrīm̐, the power or śakti is hrīm̐. The key (kīlakaṃ) to unlock the mantra is klīm̐.

ṛṣyādi nyāsa ( ऋष्यादि न्यास ) :-

S.no.

IAST

Devanāgari

Procedure

1

nārāyaṇa ṛṣaye namaḥ śirasi

नारायण ऋषये नमः शिरसि

Open the right palm and touch the top of the forehead with the ring and thumb fingers joined at the top.

2

gāyatrī chandase namaḥ mukhe

गायत्री छन्दसे नमः मुखे

Now touch the lips of the mouth with the above mudrā.

3

parā śrīrdevatāyai namaḥ hṛdi

परा श्रीर्देवतायै नमः हृदि

Touch the heart with the right palm.

4

śrīm̐ bījāya namaḥ guhye

श्रीँ बीजाय नमः गुह्ये

Touch the genitalia with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.

5

hrīm̐ śaktaye namaḥ pādayoḥ

ह्रीँ शक्तये नमः पादयोः 

Touch the feet with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.

6

klīm̐ kīlakāya namaḥ nābhau

क्लीँ कीलकाय नमः नाभौ

Touch the navel area with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.

7

jīvan mukti prasādaye jape viniyogāya namaḥ sarvāṅge

जीवन् मुक्ति प्रसादये जपे विनियोगाय नमः सर्वाङ्गे

Run both the palms all over the body.

8

iti ṛṣyādi nyāsaḥ

इति ऋष्यादि न्यासः

 

 

  1. karanyāsaḥ (करन्यासः) :-

S.no.

IAST

Devanāgari

Procedure

1

śrām̐ sarvajñāyai aṅguṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ

श्राँ सर्वज्ञायै अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः

Use both the index fingers and run them on both the thumbs.

2

śrīm̐ nitya tṛptāyai tarjanībhyāṃ namaḥ

श्रीँ नित्य तृप्तायै तर्जनीभ्यां नमः

Use both the thumbs and run them on both the index fingers.

3

śrūm̐ anādibodhāyai madhyamābhyāṃ namaḥ

श्रूँ अनादिबोधायै मध्यमाभ्यां नमः

Use both the thumbs on the middle fingers.

4

śraim̐ svatantrāyai anāmikābhyāṃ namaḥ

श्रैँ स्वतन्त्रायै अनामिकाभ्यां नमः

Use both the thumbs on the ring fingers.

5

śraum̐ aluptaśaktyai kaniṣṭhikābhyāṃ namaḥ

श्रौँ कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां नमः

Use both the thumbs on the little fingers.

6

śraḥ anantaśaktyai karatalakarapṛṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ

श्रः करतलकरपृष्ठाभ्यां नमः

Open both the palms; run the opened palms of the right hand on the front and back sides of the left palm and repeat the same for the other palm.

7

iti kara nyāsaḥ

इति कर न्यासः

 

4. aṅganyāsaḥ (अङ्गन्यासः) :-

S.no.

IAST

Devanāgari

Procedure

1

śrām̐ sarvajñāyai hṛdayāya namaḥ

श्राँ सर्वज्ञायै  हृदयाय नमः

Open index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand and place them on the heart chakra.

2

śrīm̐ nitya tṛptāyai śirase svāhā

श्रीँ नित्य तृप्तायै शिरसे स्वाहा

Open middle and ring fingers of the right hand and touch the top of the forehead.

3

śrūm̐ anādibodhāyai śikhāyai vaṣaṭ

श्रूँ अनादिबोधायै शिखायै वषट्

Open the right thumb and touch the back of the head. This is the point where the tuft of hair, is kept.

4

śraim̐ svatantrāyai kavacāya hum̐

श्रैँ स्वतन्त्रायै कवचाय हुँ

Cross both the hands and run the fully opened palms from shoulders to finger tips.

5

śraum̐ aluptaśaktyai netratrayāya vauṣaṭ

श्रौँ नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्

Touch the eyes with the right index and ring fingers, with the middle finger touching the ājña cakra.

6

śraḥ anantaśaktyai astrāya phaṭ

श्रः अस्त्राय फट्

Open up the left palm and strike it three times with index and middle fingers of the right hand.

7

iti ṣaḍaṅga nyāsaḥ

इति षडङ्ग न्यासः

 

 

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digbandhaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्बन्धः॥

May all the directions be sealed and may no thoughts or disturbances impact our ability to recite the hymn.

5. dhyānaṃ (ध्यानं) :-

tārkṣyā-rūḍha hari-hṛt sarojake bhāti yā parama-cit-svarūpiṇī ।

padma-yugma maṇi pātra dhāriṇī bhāsatāṃ hṛdi sadā mamāṃbikā ॥

तार्क्ष्यारूढ हरिहृत् सरोजके भाति या परमचित्स्वरूपिणी ।

पद्मयुग्म मणि पात्र धारिणी भासतां हृदि सदा ममांबिका ॥

Meaning:- Salutations and praise be to the Divine Mother Parāṣoḍaśī, who is seated next to Lord Hari (Lord Viṣṇu) mounted on the eagle nosed celestial bird vehicle Garuḍa. She resembles a fully blossomed lotus and is radiating divine splendor upon the entire multi-dimensional multi-verse and they together constitute the super-consciousness. Parāṣoḍaśī is the dynamic super-consciousness and Lord Viṣṇu is the static super-consciousness. They are the same as Śakti and Śiva. She adored as Mahālakṣmi, is holding two lotuses symbolizing the evolution of the individual consciousness to become one with the super-consciousness and also signifying the duality, that separates the consciousness as individual and super-consciousness. She is also holding a vessel full of jewels, signifying all the wealth that constitutes the entire Creation, as well as the seeds of Creation that spawn into the living and the non-living. May She exist in our heart along with Her consort at all times and liberate us from the cycle of life and death.

6. Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) :-

S.no.

IAST

Devanāgari

Procedure

1

lam̐ - pṛthivyātmikāyai gandhaṁ samarpayāmi

 

लँ - पृथिव्यात्मिकायै गन्धं समर्पयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the little fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

2

ham̐ - ākāśātmikāyai puṣpaiḥ pūjayāmi

 

हँ - आकाशात्मिकायै पुष्पैः पूजयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the thumbs of both hands with the upper tip/nails of the index fingers, with the back of the hand facing us.

3

yam̐ - vāyvātmikāyai dhūpamāghrāpayāmi

 

यँ - वाय्वात्मिकायै धूपमाघ्रापयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the index fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

4

ram̐ - agnyātmikāyai dīpaṁ darśayāmi

 

रँ - अग्न्यात्मिकायै दीपं दर्शयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the middle fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

5

vam̐ - amṛtātmikāyai amṛtaṁ mahānaivedyaṁ nivedayāmi

 

वँ - अमृतात्मिकायै अमृतं महानैवेद्यं निवेदयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the ring fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

6

sam̐ - sarvātmikāyai sarvopacāra pūjām samarpayāmi

 

सँ - सर्वात्मिकायै सर्वोपचार पूजाम् समर्पयामि

 

Hold the fingers of each palm in a folded manner with the tips of each fingers of both hands touching each other and the thumbs facing the heart, in a Namaste position.

7. Japamālā mantraṃ (जपमाला मन्त्रं) :-

Recite the below mantra once, to pray to the japa māla and invoke the blessings for a fruitful japa.

om̐ māṃ māle mahāmāye sarvamantra svarūpiṇi ।
caturvarga stvayinyasta stasmānye siddhidā bhava ॥

ॐ मां माले महामाये सर्वमन्त्र स्वरूपिणि ।
चतुर्वर्ग स्त्वयिन्यस्त स्तस्मान्ये सिद्धिदा भव॥

8. Guru Mantra (गुरु मन्त्र) :-  Recite the following guru mantra once, to seek the blessings of all gurus and the Guru.

om̐ hrīm̐ siddhaguro prasīda hrīm̐ om̐ ।

ॐ ह्रीं सिद्धगुरो प्रसीद ह्रीं ॐ ।

9. Atha Śrī Parāṣoḍaśī Aṣṭa-viṃśadyakṣara Mantraḥ (अथ श्री पराषोडशी अष्ट-विंशद्यक्षर मन्त्रः)

Following is the 28 lettered Śrī Parāṣoḍaśī mantra, that should be recited at least 108 times (1 mālā).

śrīm̐ sauḥ klīm̐ aim̐ hrīm̐

om̐ hrīm̐ śrīm̐

sa ka la hrīm̐

ha sa ka ha la hrīm̐

ka e ī la hrīṃ 

hrīm̐ aim̐ klīm̐ sauḥ śrīm̐ ।

श्रीँ सौः क्लीँ ऐँ ह्रीँ

ॐ ह्रीँ श्रीँ

स क ल ह्रीँ

ह स क ह ल ह्रीँ

क ए ई ल ह्रीं 

ह्रीँ ऐँ क्लीँ सौः श्रीँ ।

Meaning:-

This mantra is very similar to the Mahāṣoḍaśī mantra and contains the same seed syllables used in that mantra as well. The meaning derived is also the same. It should be noted that the Pañcadaśī mantra is reversed in this mantra. The Mahāṣoḍaśī mantra is the transformation from the mundane existence to the spiritual, by gaining of the correct knowledge of the singular reality (vāgbhāva kūṭa), continued sustenance of this knowledge and practice (Kāmarāja kūṭa), leading to the realization of the absolute (Śakti kūṭa). This is the path of sṛṣṭi (Creation), sthiti (Preservation) and saṃhāra (Destruction). In contrast, the Parāṣoḍaśī mantra leads us from the state of self-realization obtained from the Mahāṣoḍaśī mantra (transformation - Śakti kūṭa), sustains the journey further through experiences gained (sustenance - Kāmarāja kūṭa) and finally liberates us with the True knowledge obtained of the Singular Reality (Rebirth/Resurrection - vāgbhāva kūṭa).

The mantra has six parts (kūṭa-s). The first kūṭa is reversed by the last kūṭa, which is also called the saṃpuṭīkaraṇa process. It is an extremely powerful tool deployed to encase the main mantra and to remove any impurities associated with the mantra, as well as with one’s mantra japa. The first kūṭa and second kūṭa have the same significance as in the Mahāṣoḍaśī mantra, although the seed syllables (bīja-s) are in a different order, with fructification of liberation being the main objective.

The bīja-s of the first kūṭa begin the journey towards liberation -

The Lakṣmī bīja (seed) mantra śrīm̐ represents wealth, prosperity, abundance and fertility. In the context of the mantra, it is for the fructification of the desire to self-realize and gain liberation.

The parā bīja (seed) mantra sauḥ represents liberation from all attachments and union with the Divine.

The kāma bīja (seed) mantra klīm̐ represents the fulfillment of all desires, material and spiritual. In the context of this mantra, it is for spiritual desires.

The bīja (seed) mantra aim̐ represents the Divine Mother Sarasvati and is the cause of all knowledge, known and unknown, material and spiritual. The focus is mainly towards gaining all the spiritual wisdom and knowledge.

The Mahāmāyā bīja (seed) mantra hrīm̐ represents the power of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. Elevation is society and high positions of power are also indicated. The power to gain, in the context of this main mantra, is liberation alone. Nothing else matters for the devotee of Parāṣoḍaśī.

The second kūṭa declares the desire towards liberation -

The bīja (seed) mantra om̐ represents śabda brahman and is also called the praṇava mantra or the primordial sound, the manifested super-consciousness in the form of sound and all syllables. All other sounds and waves are said to have emanated from this mantra.

The Mahāmāyā bīja (seed) mantra hrīm̐ represents the cosmic delusion that envelopes us and masks our true identity. Until we transcend this illusion, we cannot realize our true form and even if we are seld-realized, we cannot move further towards liberation, without fully transcending this entity.

The Lakṣmī bīja (seed) mantra śrīm̐, is the dissolution of the self into the Supreme Self. This is liberation or mokṣa.

The Śakti kūṭa comes up as the third from top, indicating the journey from self-realization towards liberation. The bīja “sa” represents the Divine Mother Śakti, who is the expansion, pulse or the vibration of the super-consciousness and the cause of the entire Creation, it’s Preservation and Destruction/Transformation and it’s repeat cycle. The bīja “ka” signifying cit śakti or pure consciousness. The bīja “la”, signifies dissolution and the grounding of one’s ego. The Mahāmāyā bīja (seed) mantra hrīm̐ represents the power of Transformation.

The Kāmarāja kūṭa is the fourth part of the main mantra and is for the Preservation of the self-realized state that could be obtained through this main mantra.  The bīja “ha”, represents Lord Śiva, signifying purity, bliss and super-consciousness. The bīja “ṣa”, signifies the māyā śakti, which is the cosmic virtual reality surrounding the consciousness and giving it the impression that it’s an independent being and also providing the cognitive faculties to recognize the Creation around it and fully masking the Absolute Truth, that it is none other than the pure super-consciousness Itself and not the body or mind! The ether (ākāśa), part of the five principal elements, is represented by “ha”. The bīja “la”, signifies the Earth (pṛthvī) element, providing the support for sustenance and the grounding of one’s ego. The Mahāmāyā bīja (seed) mantra hrīm̐, coming at the end, represents the power of Preservation.

The fifth kūṭa is the vāgbhāva kūṭa, enabling the devotee to disseminate the knowledge gained through self-realization, to all the seekers. The bīja “ka” signifies Creation, fulfillment of desires (root of kāma), The bīja ‘e’ represents knowledge of the absolute reality, the bīja ‘ī’ represents Lakṣmī and the good fortune of obtaining the desired result of liberation. It is the root of the kāmakalā bīja ‘īm̐’ indicating the union of the static and dynamic aspects of the super-consciousness - Śiva and Śaktī. The bīja “la” represents absolute victory and achievement of the cherished desire of liberation, represented by the final hrīm̐ bīja. Liberation is a re-birth of the consciousness freeing it from the triads and its union with the Singular Reality or Brahman.

The sampuṭīkaraṇa or reversing the bījas, followed in the last kūṭa , makes the mantra even more powerful and helps in early realization of the objectives. 

10 aṅganyāsaḥ (अङ्गन्यासः)

S.no.

IAST

Devanāgari

Procedure

1

śrām̐ sarvajñāyai hṛdayāya namaḥ

श्राँ सर्वज्ञायै  हृदयाय नमः

Open index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand and place them on the heart chakra.

2

śrīm̐ nitya tṛptāyai śirase svāhā

श्रीँ नित्य तृप्तायै शिरसे स्वाहा

Open middle and ring fingers of the right hand and touch the top of the forehead.

3

śrūm̐ anādibodhāyai śikhāyai vaṣaṭ

श्रूँ अनादिबोधायै शिखायै वषट्

Open the right thumb and touch the back of the head. This is the point where the tuft of hair, is kept.

4

śraim̐ svatantrāyai kavacāya hum̐

श्रैँ स्वतन्त्रायै कवचाय हुँ

Cross both the hands and run the fully opened palms from shoulders to finger tips.

5

śraum̐ aluptaśaktyai netratrayāya vauṣaṭ

श्रौँ नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट्

Touch the eyes with the right index and ring fingers, with the middle finger touching the ājña cakra.

6

śraḥ anantaśaktyai astrāya phaṭ

श्रः अस्त्राय फट्

Open up the left palm and strike it three times with index and middle fingers of the right hand.

7

iti ṣaḍaṅga nyāsaḥ

इति षडङ्ग न्यासः

 

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digvimokaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्विमोकः॥

11. dhyānaṃ (ध्यानं) :-

tārkṣyārūḍha harihṛt sarojake bhāti yā paramacitsvarūpiṇī ।

padmayugma maṇi pātra dhāriṇī bhāsatāṃ hṛdi sadā mamāṃbikā ॥

तार्क्ष्यारूढ हरिहृत् सरोजके भाति या परमचित्स्वरूपिणी ।

पद्मयुग्म मणि पात्र धारिणी भासतां हृदि सदा ममांबिका ॥

12. Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) :-

S.no.

IAST

Devanāgari

Procedure

1

lam̐ - pṛthivyātmikāyai gandhaṁ samarpayāmi

 

लँ - पृथिव्यात्मिकायै गन्धं समर्पयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the little fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

2

ham̐ - ākāśātmikāyai puṣpaiḥ pūjayāmi

 

हँ - आकाशात्मिकायै पुष्पैः पूजयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the thumbs of both hands with the upper tip/nails of the index fingers, with the back of the hand facing us.

3

yam̐ - vāyvātmikāyai dhūpamāghrāpayāmi

 

यँ - वाय्वात्मिकायै धूपमाघ्रापयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the index fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

4

ram̐ - agnyātmikāyai dīpaṁ darśayāmi

 

रँ - अग्न्यात्मिकायै दीपं दर्शयामि

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the middle fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

5

vam̐ - amṛtātmikāyai amṛtaṁ mahānaivedyaṁ nivedayāmi |

 

वँ - अमृतात्मिकायै अमृतं महानैवेद्यं निवेदयामि।

 

Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the ring fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs, with the back of the hand facing us.

6

sam̐ - sarvātmikāyai sarvopacāra pūjām samarpayāmi

 

सँ - सर्वात्मिकायै सर्वोपचार पूजाम् समर्पयामि

 

Hold the fingers of each palm in a folded manner with the tips of each fingers of both hands touching each other and the thumbs facing the heart, in a Namaste position.

13. Samarpaṇam (समर्पणम्) :-  Take water in uttaraṇi (spoon) and by reciting the following śloka, offer the water to the earth.

guhyātiguhyagoptrā tvaṁ gṛhāṇāsmat-kṛtaṁ japam ।
siddhirbhavatu me deva tvatprasādānmayi sthirā ॥

गुह्यातिगुह्यगोप्त्रा त्वं गृहाणास्मत्-कृतं जपम् ।

सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देव त्वत्प्रसादान्मयि स्थिरा ॥

14. Japānaṃtaraṃ mālāmantraṃ (जपानंतरं मालामन्त्रं) :-

Recite the below śloka and mantra, followed by placing the māla upon the top of the head and then place it back in the māla bag and conceal it. It should NOT be worn.

śloka॥ om̐ tvaṃ māle sarvadevānāṃ prītidā śubhadā bhava।

śubhaṃ kuruṣya me bhadre yaśo vīryaṃ ca dehime॥

श्लोक॥ ॐ त्वं माले सर्वदेवानां प्रीतिदा शुभदा भव।

शुभं कुरुष्य मे भद्रे यशो वीर्यं च देहिमे॥

mantra॥ om̐ hrīm̐ siddhyai namaḥ॥

मन्त्र॥ ॐ ह्रीं सिद्ध्यै नमः॥

15. Puraścaraṇa (पुरश्चरण) :-

Japa

100,000

Homa

10,000

Tarpaṇa

1,000

Mārjana

100

Bhojana

10

This article is written by krishna Vallapareddy and can be contacted at Krishna@manblunder.com