The Nada Bindu Mantra is a meditative practice rooted in the Upanishadic and yogic traditions, focusing on the inner sound (nada) and the point (bindu) as means to attain higher states of consciousness. The primary scriptural source is the Nada Bindu Upanishad, which belongs to the Rigveda and expounds on the nature of sound as a manifestation of Brahman. According to the Nada Bindu Upanishad 1.1-2, the yogi should meditate on the subtle sound heard in the right ear, which leads to the dissolution of the mind and the realization of the supreme Self. The mantra itself is often identified with the sacred syllable Om, which is described as the union of nada (sound) and bindu (point).
In the Mantra-Yoga-Samhita, the bindu is considered the seed (bija) of all mantras, representing the unmanifest potential, while nada is the vibration that gives rise to creation. The practice involves focusing on the bindu, a symbolic point of concentration, and listening to the inner nada, which is said to arise spontaneously during deep meditation. The traditional purpose of this mantra is to quiet the mind, enhance concentration, and facilitate absorption into samadhi. It is chanted silently or mentally, often in conjunction with breath awareness.
The recommended chanting context includes early morning or late evening, in a quiet space, with a count of 108 repetitions per session. The Nada Bindu Upanishad 1.5-6 advises that the practitioner should gradually withdraw the senses and fix the mind on the sound, ignoring external distractions. Cautions include the need for a steady mind and guidance from a qualified teacher, as the practice can lead to intense inner experiences. The deity associated is Nada Brahman, the sound aspect of the ultimate reality, as described in the Yoga Sutras and Tantric texts.
This mantra is not tied to any specific festival but is used in sound meditation practices globally.
The primordial sound, union of nada and bindu.
Oṁ is the beej mantra itself, where the bindu (dot) represents the unmanifest potential and nada (sound) the manifest vibration.