Mantra for 7 chakras: LAM, VAM, RAM, YAM, HAM, OM
The seed sound for each of the seven chakras, LAM VAM RAM YAM HAM OM, with where each chakra sits, its element, and a simple way to chant all seven.
Each of the seven chakras has a one-syllable seed sound, or bija mantra: LAM for the root, VAM for the sacral, RAM for the navel, YAM for the heart, HAM for the throat, and OM for the brow. The crown is usually given OM as well, or held in silence. Chanting them in order, from the base of the spine upward, is a short meditation that moves your attention slowly through the body.
Where the chakras come from
The chakras ("wheels") are part of a map of the subtle body described in the tantric and yogic traditions of India, in texts such as the Shat-Chakra-Nirupana. Each chakra is pictured as a lotus along the spine, linked to an element and a seed sound. It is a map for meditation, not anatomy: there is no physical organ called a chakra, and ideas like "blocked" or "activated" chakras describe inner experience rather than anything that can be measured. Taken that way, the bija sounds are a simple, beautiful practice.
The seven chakra mantras
1. Muladhara, the root chakra: LAM
लं Lam
At the base of the spine; the element is earth. The seed sound of earth, chanted for a sense of grounding, stability and inner balance. Listen on Mahakatha.
2. Svadhishthana, the sacral chakra: VAM
वं Vam
Below the navel, in the lower belly; the element is water. Linked with feeling, creativity and flow, and traditionally chanted for creativity and fresh energy. Listen on Mahakatha.
3. Manipura, the navel chakra: RAM
रं Ram
At the navel and solar plexus; the element is fire. Linked with will, digestion and inner fire, and chanted for confidence and motivation. This is the seed sound ram, not the name of Lord Rama. Listen on Mahakatha.
4. Anahata, the heart chakra: YAM
यं Yam
At the centre of the chest; the element is air. Anahata means "unstruck", the sound that is always there. Linked with love and compassion, and chanted for love and self-acceptance. Listen on Mahakatha.
5. Vishuddha, the throat chakra: HAM
हं Ham
At the throat; the element is ether, or space. Linked with speech and expression, and chanted for clear, free self-expression. Listen on Mahakatha.
6. Ajna, the brow chakra: OM
ॐ Om
Between the eyebrows, the "third eye". Beyond the five elements, this chakra is linked with the mind, intuition and awareness, and its sound is Om. Listen on Mahakatha.
7. Sahasrara, the crown chakra: OM or silence
ॐ Aum
At the crown of the head; the "thousand-petalled lotus". Many teachers use a long, slow Aum here; others leave the crown to silence, since it is described as beyond sound. Chanted for spiritual connection and wisdom. Listen on Mahakatha.
How to chant the seven chakra mantras
- Sit tall, on the floor or a chair, spine upright and shoulders soft. Close your eyes.
- Start at the base. Bring your attention to the base of the spine and chant LAM slowly, letting the "mmm" hum for as long as the breath lasts. Repeat it 3 to 7 times.
- Move up one chakra at a time: VAM in the lower belly, RAM at the navel, YAM in the heart, HAM at the throat, OM between the brows. Keep your attention on each place while you chant its sound.
- At the crown, chant one long Aum, then sit in silence for a minute or two.
- Return slowly. Feel your weight on the floor before you open your eyes.
The whole sequence takes about ten minutes. Chant in a comfortable, low voice; the vibration matters more than the volume. If you have a health condition that affects your breathing, keep the practice gentle. For the idea behind seed sounds, see what is a bija mantra. For calm background sound while you practise, Mahakatha Radio plays Om and other mantras day and night, free, and our Om meditation music page has more.
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Questions people ask
Which mantra balances all the chakras?
In these traditions, Om is said to contain all the other sounds, so a slow, steady Om is the simplest single practice. Chanting the seven bija sounds in order, LAM to OM, is the fuller version.
How can I heal or unblock all seven chakras?
There is no quick fix. Regular, unhurried practice is what the traditions teach: sitting upright, breathing slowly, and chanting the seven seed sounds while resting attention on each place. If you want to go deeper, learn from an experienced teacher.
How can I activate the seven chakras?
In kundalini and tantric yoga, awakening the chakras is a long practice taught under a teacher's guidance. For everyday practice, the chakra mantras are best used as a calm meditation, not something to force.
Which chakra is the most powerful?
Traditions do not rank them that way. Muladhara is the foundation, where kundalini is said to rest, and Sahasrara, the crown, is described as the highest; each has its own place in the whole.
What are the five mantras to chant daily?
Many people keep a short daily set such as Om, the Gayatri mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, Om Gam Ganapataye Namah and the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. The seven chakra sounds make a good addition before meditation.