Syllables of the Kalachakra Mantra Card, by Robert Beer

Syllables of the Kalachakra Mantra Card

by Robert Beer

Known as "The Mighty Ten Stacked Syllables," (Tib. sPungs-yig dbang-ldan), these ten syllables (Om Ham Ksha Ma La Va Ra Ya Sva Ha) of Kalachakra's mantra also represent his entire mandala base and retinue of deities. The syllables stand upon a lotus and discs of the four great planets- Moon (white), Sun (red), Rahu (blue-black), and Kalagni (golden)- with a rainbow aura enclosing them. The first black vertical 'leg' of the Ya syllable represents the mandala's wind base. then the following red Ra, white Va and yellow La legs represent the mandala's fire, water, and earth bases respectively. The fifth red Ma leg terminates in a four-color syllable head, which represents Mt Meru. The sixth green Ksha leg represents the lotus and form god realms above Mt Meru, as well as deities of Kalachakra's enlightened body, speech and mind mandalas. the seventh blue Ham leg- which also crowns these seven stacked syllables, represents both the formless god realms and the deities of Kalachakra's enlightened wisdom mandala. The crowning red crescent moon, white sun and dissolving black flame represent the three component sounds of Om, and the syllables Om Sva Ha- symbolizing both the three psychic channels and the body, speech and mind deities of Kalachakra's mandala of great bliss. To the left and right of the stacked syllables are the blue syllable E and the golden syllable Vam, symbolizing the deity Kalachakra and his golden consort, Vishvamata.