Bīja sauḥ (सौः) is known as parābīja, hṛdayabīja or amṛtabīja. Śiva explains to Śakti about this in Parā-trīśikā-vivāraṇa (verses 9 and 10), a Trika Scripture. He says to Her, “O! Gracious one! It is the third Brahman (sat or sa स) united with the fourteenth vowel औ (au – out of the sixteen vowels), well joined with that which comes at the end of the lord of vowels (visarga or : - two dots one above the other, used in the sixteenth vowel अः - aḥ). Therefore sauḥ is formed out of the combination of sa स +au औ + ḥ = sauḥ सौः. In Parā-trīśikā-vivāraṇa (verse 26), it is again said, “He who knows this mantra in its essence, becomes competent for initiation leading to liberation without any sacrificial rites.” This is known as nirvāṇa dīkṣā or initiation for final liberation, where nirvāṇa means emancipation. The Scripture proceeds to say that the one who elucidates the proper meaning of this bīja is known as Śiva Himself. This bīja is the Cosmic pulsation of the Lord.
The third Brahman referred here (SAT) is explained in Bhagavad Gītā (XVII.23 - 26) “OM, TAT and SAT are the threefold representations of the Brahman and from That alone Vedas, Vedic scholars and sacrificial rites have originated. Hence, during the acts of sacrifices, gifts, austerities approved by Scriptures and during Vedic recitations, OM is uttered in the beginning. TAT is recited by those who aim for liberation while performing sacrificial rites, austerities and charities without intent on the fruits of these actions. SAT is recited by those who perform the above acts with faith and on behalf of the Brahman.”
Thus sa स (sat) referred in this bīja is Śiva Himself, which represents His creative aspect, the pure Consciousness. Next comes His three energies Icchāśakti, Jñānaśakti and Kriyāśakti. During Creation, Cit Śakti of Śiva, after manifesting as Ānanda Śakti (Bliss) becomes the above referred three Śakti-s, before entering into the sphere of Māyā. Ānanda Śakti is known as Śakti, normally referred as Śiva’s Consort or His Svātantraya Śakti, His exclusive and unique Power of Autonomy. These three powers can be explained as subject I; object That; and subject-object or I and That. These powers of Śiva are also known as Sadāśiva, Iśvara and Suddha Vidyā. Now the fusion between S and AU takes place and सौ (SAU) is formed. As a result of this fusion, creation happens, which is represented by visarga (two dots one above the other like the punctuation mark colon :) This is the Spanda or throb or pulsation of the Divine towards creation, causing the emission of His three energies contained in AU. With the addition of visarga (ḥ :) at the end of सौ (SAU) becomes सौः(sauḥ).
This parābīja is not meant for recitation or repetition but for the contemplation of Śiva, who alone is capable of offering liberation by removing all differentiations caused by māyā. The one who fully understands the significance of सौः (sauḥ) becomes instantly liberated. Proper initiation into this mantra by a Guru is exempted for this mantra. One can self initiate.
This is the broad idea bout parābīja.
John
November 26, 2012 06:43 PM
Ravi,
Thank you for sharing such precious information on Parabija sauḥ.
I felt attracted since a long time to this Bija and have been trying to find more information on it but in vain,Thanks to you, now I have.
I have one question:
You said that there is no need to recite Parabija for japas but for contemplation of Siva only but how to do this, can you give more clarity on it.
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MANBLUNDER
November 26, 2012 06:53 PM
You have to meditate on the Glory and Grace of Shiva, as explained there. The syllable speaks only about the Glory of the Lord and how He is glorified by His three primary energies, Cit (Consciousness) ānanda (Bliss) icchāśakti, jñāaśakti and kriyāśakti. These five are the first five tattva-s according to Trika philosophy. The next stage is Māyā.
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John
November 26, 2012 07:00 PM
Ok I understand more clearly now.
Regarding "knower of Parabija gets Liberation", is it full liberation "Sayujya" or you only realize a part of Brahman not the full one?
Or is Maha Sodasi only that gives you full liberation "Sayujya"?
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MANBLUNDER
November 26, 2012 07:11 PM
No mantra gives liberation, to be frank. Liberation can be attained through two aspects. One is knowledge about Him and second is surrender unto Him. Mantra are there only to control the mind. In the initial stages of spiritual path, one cannot contemplate a formless Brahman. In order to visualize a form, mantras have come into existence. The mind has to be thoroughly transformed by always thinking about Him. It may sound silly, but when sincere attempt is made, mind is pervaded by Divine. Though one continues to do his regular activities, still his mind is pervaded by Him. The more one thinks about Him, his thoughts transform into affirmations. When affirmation Ï am That"is made with all sincerity, you become the Lord. Liberation can be attained only through mind and there is no other way to attain Him or to reach the state of sāyujya.
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John
November 26, 2012 07:15 PM
Ravi,
Thank you for pointing this out as it will help me in my quest for self-realization.
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John
November 26, 2012 07:18 PM
One more question Ravi, If i'm not taking too much of your time.
Its a completely different subject.
What are your views on "Animal Sacrifice in Indian Shakti Temples".
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MANBLUNDER
November 26, 2012 08:34 PM
I am happy to share whatever I know. People are misinterpreting Vedas. Vedas do not advocate Animal Sacrifice. It is the grosser interpretation of Vedas. Vedas have subtle interpretations, which are being overlooked. Persons like Aurobindo have given right interpretations. Animal sacrifice causes only bad karmas.
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Siddhant
May 09, 2024 04:05 PM
Sir if animal sacrifice is wrong in vedas which I also agree with but one tangential question in some tantra texts references of panch makar which includes meat, alcohol, sex, fish are to be offered to the deity in left hand path which is called vamachar, if its wrong even in left hand path then what is esoteric meaning of panch makars and how is to offered to deity and then consumed.
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Nesh
May 24, 2024 01:05 AM
Animal sacrifice is extensively described and even intermittently recommended in some parts of the Vedas. Killing and violence are also prohibited many times in the Vedas. How is this so? Because dharmic sacrifice and battle are not himsa or adharma, and the karma from himsa is not present in rakta Bali performed with proper knowledge, awareness, purpose, intention, and love. Separately, truly 99.9% of people who talk confidently about Vedas have never fully read the vedas, let alone studied and read and re-read as is necessary. Just ask about the very literal and detailed horse sacrifice ritual in Yajur Veda; you will find so-called experts totally unaware and or (more likely) revealing themselves for the samsaric compulsive liars which they very much are. Many future births and stays in the health realms await most so-called Vedic authorities in this dawn of Kali Yuga. It is a frustrating part of the play from my perspective, but in reality it is all God and all perfect, and specifically, the artistic sense behind even the most infuriating and inscrutable parts of reality is done with perfectly masterful and incomparable artistic sense of Lalitā herself
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John
November 26, 2012 10:24 PM
Dear Ravi,
That is the answer I was looking for and I totally agree with you as people are not going deep inside the verses of Vedas to know the inner meaning of animal sacrifice(which means we need to sacrifice our animal instinct).
I had a discussion on Shakti Sadhana group where some people there are promoting animal sacrifice in the name of Kali.
I have show them proof of this of the excellent work of Sri John Woodroffe in his "karpuradi Stotra" Hymn To Kali verses 19:
"O DARK One, wondrous and excelling in every way, becomes the accomplishment, of those worshippers who living in this world freely make offering to Thee in worship of the greatly satisfying flesh, together with hair and bone, of cats, camels, sheep, buffaloes, goats, and men."
And the real meaning:
The flesh of' (Palalaṁ)
These animals represent the Six Enemies (Ripu) or Vices which are specially characteristic of the following animals: The goat stands for Lust (Kāma) 'as lustful as a goat (Chhāga),' the buffalo, Anger (Krodha) 'as angry as a buffalo (Mahiṣa),' the cat, Greed (Lobha) 'as greedy as a cat' (Mārjāra), the sheep, Delusion (Moha), 'as stupid as a sheep' (Meṣa) the camel, Envy (Mātsarya) 'as envious as a camel' (Uṣtra), Man, Pride (Mada) 'the Pride and arrogance of man' (Nara)."
But no one is ready to accept it!
They are saying i am seeing only one part of the truth and that Mother Kali needs Blood!
If the Beloved Mother need blood, it is said in the scriptures that men also should be sacrificed , so why don't they sacrifice their friends and family to please mother Kali, why killing innocent animals and making them suffer.
Sri Ramana Maharishi was against Animal sacrifice and even Sri Adi Shankaracharya stopped animal sacrifice at Kanchi Kamakashi Temple.
Being myself a pure vegetarian for the last 18 years, I feel sorry that we can't do anything to stop this.No one is realizing that God is everywhere and in everything and that we are all bound to karma and we should not cause harm in anyway to any being whether its an animal or men.
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MANBLUNDER
November 26, 2012 10:34 PM
Thank you for sharing this wonderful write up.
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MVSUREDDY
February 02, 2015 11:24 AM
Thank you gurugji,very good explination,
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A K Goel
November 02, 2015 10:51 PM
Thanks for knowledge on this !
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Karan Singh
March 05, 2016 11:05 AM
Dear Sir,
I accept what you say about not chanting this mantra but I have strong intuitive feeling that Soham and sauh is almost same.
So one can inhale and exhale sauhu also...
And why not, am sure Brahman is not going to hurt me or punish me for breathing sauhu..
Please comment...
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Ankit
October 03, 2020 05:05 PM
Pranaam. Could you please suggest a video or audio where i can hear correct pronunciation of this mantra? I am having trouble correctly pronouncing it just by reading.
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Jayanth
October 03, 2020 07:43 PM
https://www.manblunder.com/videos "Pronunciation of Certain Bija Aksharas" has Sauh pronounced correct along with other important bija mantras
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Krishna
October 03, 2020 08:40 PM
This particular parābīja pronunciation is in our published videos. Please look at the Videos section on the top of the web page and click on the relevant video, to listen to the pronunciation of various bīja-s.
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Jabra PubG
October 05, 2020 11:33 PM
I am tired of searching ways to be Spiritual. Dies chanting of this sauh mantra will make me spiritual?
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Jayanth
October 06, 2020 08:54 PM
https://www.manblunder.com/articles/vedanta Read articles from Discrimination to Desire for liberation. These are the qualities to become spiritual
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hunting
September 19, 2024 11:09 AM
Can this mantra be chanted as Saum instead of Sauh:?
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Santosh
September 19, 2024 10:09 PM
No ...Sauh is completely different from Saum...both are unique mantras which will give different results...
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Selvakumar
October 24, 2024 10:10 AM
Hi All, There is an ashram called SRI VIDYA SRI PEEDAM (TRUST) that teaches SRI VIDYA UPASANA TANTRA extensively. I am publishing the contact details for the benefit of divine souls. SRI VIDYA SRI PEEDAM +91 9791476947 srividyasripeedam@gmail.com managurunathan@gmail.com
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Krishna
October 24, 2024 10:10 PM
We are not affiliated with any ashram, but do encourage sādhakas to explore and find their suitable gurus. Other reputed sites like Sri Vidya Peedom in Kerala, Bhaskara Prakasha Ashram, Devipuram, Sriamba.org of Shri Ramesh Kutticad Guruji, Shri Krishna ji of Medhayoga and Brahma Vidya Vimarshini Sabha of Shri Prathap ji of Bengaluru are some sites/gurus that I can personally recommend. There is of course no substitute to learning directly from a guru to help answer any doubts and questions that one may have. Do reach out in social groups and forums to seek advice from other seekers and make the right decision. Always consider starting small and going about this very slowly. Graha mantras maybe most suiable for 99% of all our issues. Following which, one must consider the worship of the deities that are consistently worshipped in their family for generations and more importantly, the deity one feels the closest connection with. Śrīvidyā sādhana is for those who have a very deep desire to explore the spiritual realms and attain self-realization. Please don't fall into the trap of bhoga and mokṣa that this sādhana promises. Not that it does not deliver, but the spiritual quest will dwarf the material and one can easily get very disillusioned without a proper guru to guide them forward. Tread cautiously, is the only advice that I can offer.
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