l combines with â to give ( ; + A ) as la ( la )

û combines with â to give ( ] + A ) as va ( va )

These antahstha are so called because they are in-between the vowels and the mute consonants. However, the prefix antar means both ‘intermediate’ as well as ‘internal’. Thus they reflect the inner energies of the body or śarira. They represent the bīja-mantrā of the lower four of the seven chakrās according to the Śiva sūtras.

These are as follows :-

( ya ) is for the 4^th, the Heart or anāhat chakra

( r ) is for the 3^rd , the Navel or manipūr chakra

( va ) is for the 2^nd, the genitals or swādhisthān chakra

( la ) is for the 1^st, the lower Pelvic or mūladhār chakra.

These are also called the yam ( yama\ ) symbols. And this is the name of Lord of Death in the Vedas thus signifying time-bound decaying of energies. Interestingly if we look at the Alphabet-ring in Fig. 3 ( ma ) and ( ya ) are contiguous. If we go clockwise yam ( yama\ ) could be the pratyāhāra for the entire alphabet signifying its closure or death. On the other hand if we go anti-clockwise from ( ma ) to ( ya ) and add an extra mātrā or meter to each syllable for extension in time – we get the unfolding of māyā !