Bhaktisandesam / What is OM ?

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Om: Symbol of the Absolute

 

What You Need to Know

 

" The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at,

and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is OM.

This syllable OM is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable

obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the

highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world

of Brahma. "

~ Katha Upanishad I

 

Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol is a

sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute —

omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence.

Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes

mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore,

represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna)

aspects of God. That is why it is called Pranava, to mean that it

pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.

 

Om in Daily Life

Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it

is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey

by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of

letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many

Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om

as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise

or in some form or another on family shrines.

 

It is interesting to note that a newly born child is ushered into the

world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually

cleansed and the sacred syllable Om is written on its tongue with

honey. Thus right at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated

into the life of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of

piety.

 

The Eternal Syllable

According to the Mandukya Upanishad " Om is the one eternal syllable

of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the

present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all

that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it " .

 

The Music of Om

Om is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music,

transcends the barriers of age, race, culture and even species. It is

made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined

together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic

sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or

prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can

resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the

centre of one's being, the atman or the soul.

 

There is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply

philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable Om, the supreme

combination of letters, if one thinks of the Ultimate Personality of

Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the highest state

of " stateless " eternity, states the Bhagavad Gita.

 

The Vision of Om

Om provides a dualistic viewpoint. On one hand, it projects the mind

beyond the immediate to what is abstract and inexpressible. On the

other hand, it makes the absolute more tangible and comprehensive. It

encompasses all potentialities and possibilities; it is everything

that was, is, or can yet be. It is omnipotent and likewise remains

undefined.

 

The Power of Om

While meditating, when we chant Om, we create within ourselves a

vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we

start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant

becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and

silence until, at last, it ceases the sound. In the silence, the

single thought—Om—is quenched; there is no thought. This is the state

of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the

individual self merges with the Infinite Self in the pious moment of

realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost

in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of Om.

 

 

 

Jai Shree Krishna !