Mathematics of a Mantra

This paper aims to examine the enunciation (uccāraṇa-kāla) time intervals for śrīvidyā pañcadaśī, a fifteen seed-syllable mantra (bīja-mantra) related to the homonymous śākta school Śrīvidyā or Traipuradarśaṇa. Following the indications provided in the Yoginīhṛdaya, with Dīpikā commentary by Amṛtānanda, and the Varivasyāraharasya by Bhāskararāya with Prakāśa auto-commentary, the research finds that these durations are not arbitrary at all but rather the result of a rigorous assessment. Moreover, the duration values suggest a specific conceptual goal that the mathematical rigor manifested by the authors seeks to fulfil: the progressive diminution of time intervals in order to achieve an atemporal dimension. The choice of the units of measurement itself is designed to meet this metaphysical and ritual need. By counting the intervals (both relative and overall) of mantra recitation, it is also possible to confirm the resonance nature of the sounds following nasalisations, sounds conceived by the authors as entirely independent of the reciter's phonatory activity.