Mantra usually have five “extensions” (Pañca Pallava).
‘namaḥ’
‘svāhā’
‘vauṣaṭ/vaṣaṭ’
‘huṃ’
‘phaṭ’
A shoot, or sprout, or posturing, in this context signifies the emergent attitude with which the mantra terminates. The body of the mantra contains the seed-syllables and the name of the deity; the devotee’s disposition towards, or orientation with regard to, the deity should find articulation at the end of the mantra, and this is the “pallava”.
Without Pallava, the mantra is described as ‘naked’. The deity is then not properly represented in the sense that the devotee has not specified how he stands with regard to the deity.
Each of the ‘shoots’ or Pallavas has its own special significance and situational relevance.
‘namaḥ’ – offering of salutation to the deity
‘svāhā’ – signifies the fire offering to the deity
‘vauṣaṭ/vaṣaṭ’ – offering into the fire seeking protection from the deity
‘huṃ’ – driving away (evil forces), protection
‘phaṭ’ – breaking down the obstacles
Source: Pg. 35, book - "The Yantras" – Prof. S.K.Ramachandra Rao,
Sri Satguru Publications, Delhi, India; ISBN – 81-7030-118-1
