This dhyana mantra is prescribed for meditative visualization of Kundalini Shakti in the form of Dhumavati, the smoke goddess. The primary textual source is the Dhumavati Tantra, which describes Dhumavati as the embodiment of tamas guna and the power of detachment. The mantra is chanted to invoke the serpent power's aspect that severs worldly attachments and leads to liberation (moksha).
The beej-akshara (seed syllable) 'Dhum' (धूम्) is central, evoking the smoky, formless nature of the goddess. Phonetically, 'Dhum' combines the dental 'dh' with the nasal 'um', creating a resonant hum that is said to quiet the mind. The traditional purpose is to cultivate vairagya (dispassion) and to transcend the cycle of birth and death.
The count is typically 108 repetitions per session, using a rudraksha mala. Ritual setting involves sitting on a black cloth facing south, with offerings of black sesame seeds and incense of camphor. Cautions: This mantra should only be chanted under the guidance of a qualified guru, as it can induce intense detachment and disrupt worldly life.
Salutations to Dhumavati Kundalini, the smoky serpent power.
The seed syllable 'Dhūm' (धूम्) is central, evoking the smoky, formless nature of the goddess. It combines the dental 'dh' with the nasal 'ūm', creating a resonant hum that quiets the mind.