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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Root Chakra and the Sound LAM
- Why LAM is Connected with Muladhara
- How LAM is Traditionally Practiced
- Sacral Chakra and the Sound VAM
- Why VAM is Connected with Swadhisthana
- How VAM is Traditionally Practiced
- Solar Plexus Chakra and the Sound RAM
- Why RAM is Connected with Manipura
-
How RAM is Traditionally Practiced
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Part of an Ongoing Series
This article is part of a continuous exploration into the chakras, their understanding, how to activate chakras through stones, meditation. We have also talked about the nature of the mind, intelligence, ego, and the deeper enquiry into the self. Each step in this series unfolds gradually, bringing clarity to what is often overlooked in daily living.
The intent is not to build concepts, but to refine understanding of all the concepts which are related through observation and lived experience.
At Totapari, jewellery is seen as a quiet expression of this inner refinement. As clarity deepens, expression becomes simpler, more conscious, and more aligned with one’s true nature.
1. Introduction
In many spiritual traditions, sound has always been considered important in meditation and inner practices. Ancient yogic systems believed that sound is closely connected with vibration, and vibration influences both the body and the mind. Because of this understanding, chanting, sacred syllables, and mantras became a natural part of spiritual practice. These sounds were used not as ordinary words, but as tools to calm the mind, improve concentration, and help a person turn inward.
Yogic traditions also describe the human being as more than just the physical body. According to these systems, there exists a subtle energy system made of nadis (energy channels) and chakras (energy centres). Different sounds, known as Bija Mantras or seed sounds, became associated with different chakras. Sounds such as LAM, VAM, RAM, YAM, and HAM were symbolically linked with the qualities, elements, and psychological tendencies connected with each chakra.
These chakra sounds were never meant to be treated as magical formulas. Their deeper purpose was to support meditation and inner awareness. Repeating these sounds with attention and proper awareness was believed to help steady the mind and create inner balance. Ultimately, in spiritual practice, sound is used as a support to move the mind from constant activity toward silence, stillness, and inner observation.
We have already discussed in our blogs that Root (Muladhar), Sacral (Swadishtnana) and Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakras form the lower triangle. The Crown (Sahasrara), Third Eye (Ajna) and Throat (Vishuddha) form the upper triangle and the heart chakra is the bridge.
In this blog, we will discuss the sounds associated with the lower triangle.
These writings on chakras, mind and meditation should be read together and is part of Totapari's regular writings on these topics.
- Why Totapari writes about mind and meditation
- Know Your Mind
- What is Meditation?
- How to do Meditation
- What are Prerequisites of Meditation?
2. Root Chakra and the Sound LAM
The Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine and represents stability, survival, grounding, and the foundation of physical existence. In traditional yogic systems, it is associated with the Earth element because it relates to structure, weight, steadiness, and the instinct for survival.
Root Chakra Studs
3. Why LAM is Connected with Muladhara
The bija mantra of the Root Chakra is written in Sanskrit as “लं” (Laṃ). In traditional chakra texts, this bija is placed in the Earth region of Muladhara and is understood as the seed sound of the Earth element.
The use of “ल / La” can also be understood through its sound quality. When pronounced deeply, “Laṃ” carries a heavier and more grounded feeling compared to lighter or sharper syllables. The sound does not rise quickly upward; it settles downward and creates a sense of weight and stability. This makes it suitable for Muladhara, which represents foundation, grounding, and physical existence.
During actual chanting practice, many practitioners stretch the ending resonance so that “Laṃ” sounds closer to “LANG.” The final sound is not a fully pronounced “ग” from ordinary speech but a partially closed nasal resonance sustained internally. In our view also that creates a deeper "ang" sound in the skull.
| Feature | Muladhara Chakra Data |
| Bija Mantra | LAM (लं) |
| Element | Earth (Prithvi) |
| Color | Red |
| Symbolic Animal | Elephant |
| Psychological Focus | Security, Survival, Grounding |
The “La” sound is traditionally associated with heaviness, grounding, and stability, reflecting the unmoving nature of the Earth element. Unlike softer flowing sounds, it creates a denser and more settled vibration during chanting.
4. How LAM is Traditionally Practiced
Traditionally, practitioners chant “Laṃ” while keeping attention at the base of the spine or perineum region. The sound is repeated slowly and steadily so that the vibration can be felt internally rather than merely heard externally.
In actual chanting practice, “Laṃ” is often stretched closer to “लंग” in order to sustain the resonance internally. The sound is not spoken as a fully pronounced “ग” from ordinary language. The vibration is partially closed before the full consonant forms, allowing the humming resonance to continue internally through the skull region.
The dot above “लं” is called the Anusvara. This nasal resonance helps the sound turn inward. With practice, the practitioner gradually becomes aware of the internal humming sound created by the mantra rather than merely the external vocal sound.
5. Sacral Chakra and the Sound VAM
Compared to Muladhara, Swadhisthana Chakra represents a more evolved stage of human development. At the Root Chakra level, energy is primarily concerned with survival, security, and existence. Food, and Sleep are basic instincts of this chakra. In Swadhisthana, energy begins to move beyond mere survival toward creativity, expression, relationships, pleasure, and the urge to produce and contribute.
The individual no longer wants only to survive, but also to create, experience, and lead a life of sensuality, emotion, and creativity. This movement and expansion of human experience is one of the reasons Swadhisthana is associated with the Water element.
6. Why VAM is Connected with Swadhisthana
The bija mantra of the Sacral Chakra is written in Sanskrit as “वं” (Vaṃ). In traditional chakra texts, this bija is placed in the Water region of Swadhisthana and is understood as the seed sound of the Water element.
The use of “व / Va” can also be understood through its sound quality. Unlike the heavier and more grounded “La” sound used in Muladhara, “Vaṃ” carries a softer and more fluid resonance. The sound moves more smoothly through the lips and breath, creating a sense of continuity and movement rather than weight and impact.
| Feature | Swadhisthana Chakra Data |
| Bija Mantra | VAM (वं) |
| Element | Water (Jala) |
| Color | Orange |
| Symbolic Animal | Crocodile (Makara) |
| Psychological Focus | Creativity, Pleasure, Emotion, Adaptability |
The “Va” sound is traditionally associated with movement, fluidity, and adaptability, reflecting the flowing nature of the Water element. Unlike the denser and more settled vibration of “Laṃ,” the sound “Vaṃ” feels softer, smoother, and more continuous during chanting.
7. How VAM is Traditionally Practiced
Traditionally, practitioners chant “Vaṃ” while keeping attention in the lower abdominal region below the navel. The sound is repeated slowly and steadily so that the vibration can be felt internally rather than merely heard externally.
In actual chanting practice, “Vaṃ” is often stretched closer to “वंग” or “VANG” in order to sustain the resonance internally. Here again, the ending is not spoken as a fully pronounced “ग” from ordinary language. The vibration is partially closed before the full consonant forms, allowing the humming resonance to continue internally through the skull region.
The Anusvara helps sustain the vibration internally. Because of this, mantra chanting gradually feels less like speaking and more like listening to an internal resonance.
8. Solar Plexus Chakra and the Sound RAM
The Manipura Chakra is situated in the upper abdomen around the solar plexus region. It represents action, ambition, confidence, willpower, transformation, and the inner fire that drives human activity.
Compared to Swadhisthana, where energy moves through emotion, pleasure, and creativity, Manipura represents a further stage where energy becomes more directed, disciplined, and action-oriented.
9. Why RAM is Connected with Manipura
The bija mantra of the Solar Plexus Chakra is written in Sanskrit as “रं” (Raṃ). In traditional chakra texts, this bija is placed in the Fire region of Manipura and is understood as the seed sound of the Fire element.
The use of “र / Ra” can also be understood through its sound quality. Unlike the softer and more fluid “Va” sound of Swadhisthana, “Raṃ” carries a sharper, more active, and more dynamic vibration. The rolled “R” creates movement and friction within the sound itself, producing a more energetic and stimulating resonance during chanting.
| Feature | Manipura Chakra Data |
| Bija Mantra | RAM (रं) |
| Element | Fire (Agni) |
| Color | Yellow |
| Symbolic Animal | Ram |
| Psychological Focus | Confidence, Action, Willpower, Transformation |
The “Ra” sound is traditionally associated with heat, movement, and activity, reflecting the transforming nature of the Fire element. Unlike the grounded heaviness of “Laṃ” or the fluid continuity of “Vaṃ,” the sound “Raṃ” feels more energetic, penetrating, and dynamic during chanting.
10. How RAM is Traditionally Practiced
Traditionally, practitioners chant “Raṃ” while keeping attention in the solar plexus or upper abdominal region. The sound is repeated slowly and steadily so that the vibration can be felt internally rather than merely heard externally.
In actual chanting practice, “Raṃ” is often stretched closer to "रांग" or “RANG” in order to sustain the resonance internally. Here again, the ending is not spoken as a fully pronounced “ग” from ordinary language. The vibration is partially closed before the full consonant forms, allowing the humming resonance to continue internally through the skull region.
With practice, the practitioner gradually becomes aware of the internal humming quality of the mantra rather than merely the external vocal sound. Traditional practitioners also associate this practice with strengthening willpower, reducing inertia, and developing greater clarity in action.
NAAD-The Chakra Sounds Ear Cuff
11. Conclusion
The lower triangle chakras show the early movement of human energy from survival to creativity and then to action. Muladhara gives grounding, Swadhisthana gives flow, and Manipura gives direction and fire.
The sounds LAM, VAM, and RAM are not random syllables. Their sound qualities reflect the nature of Earth, Water, and Fire. When practiced with awareness, breath, and inner listening, these bija mantras can help the mind become steadier, clearer, and more inward.
In the next part of this series, we will move to the Heart Chakra, Anahata, where energy begins to rise beyond survival, pleasure, and personal power toward compassion, openness, and expansion beyond ego.
Sacred Flow- The Seven Chakra Necklace
FAQs
What is meant by Shabda Brahman?
In the Vedic tradition, the concept of Shabda Brahman explains that existence is deeply connected with sound and vibration. Ancient spiritual traditions believed that the universe functions through constant vibration, and sound was seen as one of the fundamental expressions of that reality.
Why is sound connected with chakras?
Traditional yogic systems describe the human being as having a subtle energy system made of nadis and chakras. Sound is believed to influence this subtle system by affecting attention, breath, vibration, and the movement of prana within the body.
Why did ancient traditions use sound in meditation?
Ancient practitioners used sound because it helps steady the mind and reduce the continuous movement of thoughts. Rhythmic chanting and mantra repetition were traditionally used to calm the mind, improve concentration, and create inner balance.
What is the difference between ordinary speech and mantra?
In traditional yoga, ordinary speech is used for communication with the external world, while mantra is used to direct awareness inward. A mantra gradually moves the mind through subtler stages of sound and eventually toward silence and inner stillness.
What are Bija Mantras?
Bija mantras, or seed sounds, are short Sanskrit syllables traditionally associated with different chakras and elements. The word Bija means “seed,” symbolising that these compact sounds contain concentrated vibrational potential within a single syllable.
Why are Bija Mantras short?
Bija mantras are intentionally short because they do not heavily engage the analytical mind. Unlike long mantras, which may involve intellectual understanding, seed sounds work more directly through vibration, resonance, repetition, and concentration.
What is the role of Anusvara in mantra chanting?
A critical feature of almost all Bija mantras is the Anusvara, the nasalized "m" or "ng" sound represented by the dot (bindu) (ं) in Sanskrit script. This nasal resonance is what distinguishes a mantra from a common syllable. The Anusvara closes the sound loop, turning an outward-moving vocalization into an inward-turning vibration.
When a practitioner chants "LAM," the "L" sound initiates the vibration, but it is the "M" or "NG"that closes the loop and sustains the resonance, sending it through the nasal passages and into the skull and nervous system. This internal resonance is the mechanism through which mantra stops being an external sound and becomes an internal experience of energy.
How do Bija Mantras become internal experiences rather than external sounds?
When chanting a mantra such as “LAM,” the initial sound begins the vibration, while the nasal resonance created by the Anusvara sustains it internally. Over time, attention gradually shifts from external speech toward internal resonance and awareness.
Why are different sounds associated with different chakras?
Traditional systems associate different sounds with different chakras because the phonetic quality of each sound symbolically reflects the qualities of the associated element. For example, “L” sounds are connected with grounding and stability, while “V” sounds carry a softer and more fluid quality.
Is mechanical chanting enough in mantra practice?
Traditional mantra practice places importance not only on repetition but also on awareness and attention. The practitioner is expected to remain attentive to the sound, vibration, breath, and state of the mind during chanting.
What is the deeper purpose of mantra practice?
The deeper purpose of mantra practice is to gradually make the mind quieter, steadier, and more inward. Over time, mantra becomes less about external sound and more about inner awareness, concentration, and silence.
Where to Go Next
Understanding Chakras and the concept related to them is the first step. To go deeper, continue with these conceptual guides:
- To understand sounds of lower 3 chakras: Root, Sacral and Manipura
- To understand Heart chakra: Yam, Bridge between lower and upper chakras
- To understand non-duality, read Non-duality is enlightenment.
- To understand about who am I , read Ego and wrong identification of I
- To understand how mind functions read know your mind
- To know about meditation, read what is meditation
- To understand chakra and vedanta, read The Path of Inner Transformation
Together, these guides help you understand spirituality, chakras and how to grow in the field.
