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Krishna
December 19, 2018 11:42 PM
"ऐं"/ऐँ (aiṃ in IAST or aim̐ in IAST with the candra-bindu modification) should be pronounced like the English word "I'm". The only difference with the bīja-s or mantra seed syllables is that the bindu on the 'm̐' should be pronounced at the nasal bridge connecting to the forehead, which will make it sound like a 'n'. Some tantrics add a 'g' to make it sound like 'ng'. When pronouncing normally, the 'm̐' sound will make the lips close, but when synchronized with the breath, with the mouth closed and recited mentally, it would be similar to the 'n' sound. It is best to recite all mantras mentally rather than loudly.
The mantra bīja एं/एँ ('eṃ'/'em̐') sounds like the English word 'Aim', keeping in mind that the 'A' needs to be stressed like the word 'Acorn'. This is the bīja of the mātṛka Ekapādādevi/Revati devi representing solitude.
It is to be noted that the bīja "ऐं"/ऐँ (aiṃ/aim̐) is the Mātṛka Aiśvaryā devi bestowing wealth as well as that of the vāgbhāva or knowledge bestowing seed bīja mantra of Sarasvatī devi. The difference between 'em̐' and 'aim̐' is vast and the correct pronunciation is a must.
Related to 'ळी' and 'ళీ', they're exactly one and the same, just different language scripts (lipi). Any language can be used to write Sanskrit. Most scriptures are in Devanāgari and there is a good amount of them getting transliterated to the Roman IAST script as well as other regional language scripts.
swati
December 19, 2018 08:11 AM
Thanks Krishnaji for clear explanation. "On ऐं " : Hindi speaking gurus pronounce"ऐं" like english word 'aim' and gurus from South with 'ai' sounding like 'ai' in "aisle". If all the telugu scholars have written 'ఐం' I am assuming both pronounciations should work equally fine. "On काली " : I agree with your suggestion - its better to switch to devnagari pronounciation. Is the pronounciation of ळी different from ళీ? "On ऋ, ऌ etc., " : I am aware of devnagari and telugu lipi/pronounciation differences on ऋ etc., BTW-One of the first things that I noted in your writings is the care you take to get chandrabindu/anuswaara, nukte/diacritics etc., right. thanks.
Krishna
December 16, 2018 02:53 AM
Yes we have them. We will publish them at a later time. It is associated with Guhyakāli and recommended for Her mantra initiates only. When we get to the Kāli mantras and pujas, we can include this as part of the āvaraṇa puja of Guhyakāli.
Sai
December 15, 2018 03:31 PM
Dear Sir,
Do you have sapta pretAsanA for kAli?
With thanks & regards,
SAI
Krishna
December 15, 2018 02:24 AM
When you pronounce as kāḻī (काळी), the 'ḻ' pronounciation makes the tongue touch the roof of the mouth. But when we pronounce as kālī (काली), the 'l' is dental which make the tongue touch the teeth. My personal preference is the traditional sanskrit and I would stick with kālī (काली). You may choose the pronounciation that suits you the most. Please note that the pronounciation of 'ḻ'(ळ), with an underbar beneath, is different from the vowel 'ḷ'('ऌ') with a dot beneath. The vowel is to be pronounced as two dental 'l's combined with 'i' as 'lli'. The regional variations have it as 'llu'. Same is the case with ṛ('ऋ'), it is to be pronounced as two cerebral 'r's combined with 'i' as 'rri'. The regional variations have it as 'rru'. Since the mantras are in Sanskrit, we should stick with the Sanskrit variations, although the regional permutations are also in regular use.
Several discussions and discourses have ensued over the correct pronounciations and there are also ample warnings everywhere in the tantras and other śāstras. Although the pronounciation is very important, it does not override the faith or bhakti that one should possess towards the mantra japa and the deity. Everything else is secondary compared to utmost faith and dedication. This is also reaffirmed by the scriptures again and again.
Krishna
December 15, 2018 01:58 AM
In regional languages such as Telugu, we have 'ఎ', 'ఏ' and 'ఐ'. Only the last two 'ఏ' corresponds to 'ए' (e) in Devanāgari and 'ఐ' corresponds to 'ऐ' (ai). So the bīja 'ऐं' (aiṃ) becomes 'ఐం'.
Gopal
December 14, 2018 11:31 PM
Very informative article
swati
December 14, 2018 11:05 AM
was helpful. thx. having grown up learning with "కాళీ", I had to work to change to pronounce it to pronouncing devnagari "काली". your take is both are fine.
Any idea why "ऐं" becomes "ఐం" in Telugu instead of -say - "ఏం" ?
Krishna
December 14, 2018 01:41 AM
Yes, there would be two svāhā-s. For instance, in the case of this mantra - "om̐ aim̐ śrīm̐ hrīm̐ chrīm̐ hūm̐ krom̐ svāhā", the homam/havan mantra would be "om̐ aim̐ śrīm̐ hrīm̐ chrīm̐ hūm̐ krom̐ svāhā svāhā". The last 'svāhā' should be recited when the homa dravyas/material is put in the fire, signifying that the oblations are being offered to the mantra/deity.
Rishiraj singh
December 13, 2018 06:51 PM
You have cleared the doubt.many thanks to you.Do you mean two svaha to be spoken if mantra already contains one svaha during havan.?
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