Can I chant beej mantra without a Guru?
Beej mantras require initiation or diksha from a Guru. While, everyone may chant them, the guidance or upadesh is needed.
A learned brahmin/kul guru can guide you to chant a beej mantra. In some traditions the elders of the family give diksha to their children – thus, regional customs must be considered.
Upanishads have given us the beej (seed) mantras ‘hreeng’, ‘hreem’, ‘kleem’, and so on – these are called ‘tantric pranava’. These are also very powerful and incorrect chanting may lead to imbalance.
The beej mantras embody the elements of creation. For example, “lam”, is the seed of earth element, “vam” is the seed of water element, etc.
Beej mantras must not be chanted out casually or on mics, as is often done.
