Lakṣmī Tantra Chapter 25—Tārikā- and Anutārā-Mantras

Śrī: “Thus, O Śakra, I have told you in detail all about the tāraka-mantra. Now listen to Me describe the way of Tārikā, who saves the world. To determine the rules regarding the letters that are the basis of mantras, first hear their characteristic names which, when properly learnt by the adept, give him the key to the secret system of mantras.
The letter a is called
aprameya (immeasurable, unlimited, unfathomable) also known as
prathama (first in time or in a series) and
vyāpaka (pervading, comprehensive, widespread).
The letter ā is called
ādideva (the primeval god, Brahman)
ānanda (pure happiness) and
gopana (guarding, protecting, concealing).” [25.1–3]
“The letter i, called
rāma (pleasing, charming, beautiful), is also known as
iddha (shining, glowing, bright) and
iṣṭa (cherished, reverenced, respected).
O Puraṅdara, the letter ī is called
pañcabindu (five points, drops, zeros),
viṣṇu (all-pervading, preserver) and
māyā (art, wisdom, unreality, deception).
The letter u is known as
bhuvana (a being, creature, mankind),
uddāma (self-willed, unlimited, fiery) and
udaya (rising, swelling, becoming visible).
The letter ū is called
ūrja (strong, invigorating, life),
lokeśa (lord of the world, Brahmā, Buddha) and
prajñādhāra (wise, bearing wisdom).
The letter ṛ is called
satya (true, genuine, honest, faithful),
ṛtadhāman (abiding in truth) and
aṅkuśa (hook, elephant goad).
The letter ṝ is called
viṣṭara (seat made of kuśa grass),
jvāla (burning, torch, hot) and
prasāraṇa (spreading, extending, developing).” [25.4–6]
“The letter ḷ is traditionally known as
liṅgātman (mark or symbol denoting God, a brahmacārī student),
tāraka (causing to pass, carrying over, liberating, helmsman) and
bhagavān (all-powerful, fortunate, godlike),
while the letter ḹ is called
dīrghaghoṇa (long, high nose),
devadatta (god-given, the prāṇa of yawning) and
virāṭ (shining, tenfold).
The letter e is called
tryaśra (triangular, triple),
jagadyoni (womb of the world) and
avigraha (bodiless, indisputable).
The letter ai is traditionally known as
aiśvarya (sovereignty, supremacy, power),
yogadhātā (maintainer of yoga) and
airāvaṇa (Indra’s elephant).
The letter o is known as
otadeva (lord of all directions),
odana (grain mashed and cooked with milk) and
vikramin (striding, valorous, gallant),
and the letter au as
aurva (of the earth),
bhūdhara (earth-supporting, a mountain) and
auṣadha (herbal, medicine).” [25.7–9]
“The letter ṃ is famous as
trailokyaiśvaryada (controller of the three worlds),
vyāpin (pervading, covering, comprehensive) and
vyomeśa (controller of all space).
The letter ḥ is named
visarga (letting go, liberation, opening),
sṛṣṭikṛt (creator, Brahmā) and
parameśvara (Supreme Being).
The letter ka is called
kamala (lotus, lustful, rose-colored),
karāla (formidable, gaping mouth, opening wide) and
parāprakṛti (transcendental nature, pure creation).
The letter kha is called
kharvadeha (imperfect manifestation, impure creation),
vedātman (soul of the Veda, the Sun) and
viśvabhāvana (all-creating, Viṣṇu).
The letter ga is called
gadadhvaṃsin (holds a club in His arms),
govinda (friend of the cows and earth) and
gadādhara (bearing a club).
Then the letter gha is named
gharmāṃśu (hot-rayed, Sun),
tejasvin (sharp, brilliant, bright) and
dīptimān (bright, powerful person).” [25.10–12]
“The letter ṅ is called
ekadaṃṣṭrā (one-toothed or horned),
bhūtātman (soul of all beings, Brahmā, jīva) and
bhūtabhāvana (causing the welfare of living beings).