Origin of the Sound and Mantra

   A 'Seer', a 'Rishi', is a mantra drushtara' who receives and, thus, knows where the mantra originates! shabda (Sound) is the tanmatra of Akasha. Sound moves in space. May be, wind carries sound like it carries fragrance. But, where does the sound originate? Normally, sound is generated by vibration, flow or movement. Any vibration due to compression, expansion, and / or friction creates sound. Air, fire, water,  earth and all the moving objects on the earth cause sounds of various frequencies ranging from very feeble, almost inaudible, to extremely strong like thunder or blasts in mines! Apart from these external sources, the origin of the sound is traced to the internal function of ourselves. The air we breathe, the food we eat and all other internal and external activities create sounds of all sorts! Thus, it is fair enough to state that the primordial sound has emanated from the flow of Light, radiation of electromagnetic waves! Om is said to be the first sound emanated from the sound and is still found in the sky (space).  This sound is said to be sacred and called the pranava mantra.

  Almost all sounds that are emanated from the natural elements are capable of inducing emotions of different kinds in us. These are also the basic expressions of all living creatures that may disturb us, or make us glad, angry, amused, get frightened, etc. Thus, human emotions of different types are stirred by sounds of different types. But, the basic factor that create sound within us is theair we breathe in and breath out! These are life-force, pranic waves described as five major- prana, vyana, apana, udana, and samana and five minor ones- naga, kurma, kukrura, dhanajaya, and devadutta. All these sounds are caused by circulation of air within our body. 

  The sounds that are deciphered as alphabets under the category of vowels and consonants originate within our body. The vowels (svara) starting from a, A, i, I, u, oo (U), ru, Roo, lRu, lRoo, ye, ai, ou, aou, am aH, All these are powerful sounds that possess power of creation (srushti), sustenance (sthiti) and dissolution (laya) and merger (vilya)! All the consonants (vyanjana) starting from 'ka' varga (class) to 'pa' varga (class) have the powers to create the universe starting from space, air, fire, water and earth as well as food, and organs of living beings of all sorts!
ka-varga: Create five elements (pancha bhuta) such as space, air, fire, water and earth;
ca-varga: Create the tanmatra of panchabuta such as sound, touch, form, taste and smell;
Ta-varga: Create the five sense organs (jnyanendriya) to experience the tanmatras as above;
ta-varga: Create the five karmendria to work out the five indriya, such digest, excrete, etc;
pa-varga: stand for the powers of creation, sustenance,dissolution, appear and disappear at will
                (tirodhana) and grace of the Lord;
ya, ra, la, va stand for the powers of the five elements such as earth, water, fire, air, etc.
                These are also chakras (turning wheel with blades like that of a Fan) within us from
                 muladhara to sahasrara producing energy;
Sha, sha, sa, ha, stand for the powers behind our existence such as the activity of breathing, sound of our uchvas (in-breath) or srushti, and nihshvas (out-breath) dissolution;
ksha stands for the gradual decline (kshara)
   Thus every syllable from 'a' to 'ksha' that contain the power of Creation 'ra' is called akshara
  These alphabets, varnakshara possessing power of creation, sustenance, dissolution and merger, and protection is called a mantra (tarayate iti) ! Any sound shabda of an alphabet (akshara) that is capable of protection, ward off obstacles, save us, or help us in anyways is called a mantra. And, the surprising thing is that these originate no where else but within us only!