Kali beeja mantra

Question

I am confused about the pronunciation of kali beeja mantra. while some articles say the pronunciation is "kreem" but the spelling clearly shows the it should be "kring", also some tantrik say that it is neither. Can someone site reference to the correct kali beeja mantra with pronunciation?

Answer 1

The correct Kali mantra is Krim.

The Bijas thus have a meaning. They indicate the Artha or Devata which they are. What that Devata is, is taught to the Sadhaka, just as the child learns that rose means a particular flower, and that rice and milk are the names for particular forms of food and drink which he takes.

The Bijas of the five Bhutas, that is, of the Devatas of the four forms of sensible matter, are Ha, Ya, Ra, La, Va, with Chandra-bindu. Where there is more than one letter, each has its meaning. As examples I here select twelve Bija-mantras (in their popular sense), the meanings of which are given in the 6th chapter of the Varada-Tantra as quoted in the well-known Bengali compendium known as the Pranatoshini. I may here observe that the meaning of individual letters is given in the Bijakosas, such as the Tantrabidhana. The Varada-Tantra, Ch 6 says:

.....

Krim

Ka Kali brahma ra proktam Mahamayarthakasca i,

Visvamatarthako nado bindurdukhahararthakah

That is, Ka is Kali. Ra is said to be Brahma. I means Mahamaya. Nada means Mother of the universe. Bindu means Dispeller of sorrow. With that Devi Kalika should be worshipped for cessation of sorrow.

The Garland of Letters by Sir John Woodroffe

The book does not talk of pronunciation but I have heard Krim pronounced as it is spelled.