Mantras - 5

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5. PraNava mantra (AUM) - Simple Explanation

 

The mantra that is held very sacred by all Hindus is the mantra Aum also

called praNava mantra. This mantra is part of all worship. This mantra

is hailed in scriptures of various languages. Vedas - the Holy Scripture

- is chanted always after chanting this mantra and always concluded with

this mantra. Each of the hailing in the archana that is performed for

the divine is preceded by this mantra Aum.

 

PraNava is the primal sound that existed before the creation and the

sound that stays after the praLaya. This is the naatharuupa - the Form

of sound, of the Supreme Luminance. This mantra ohm refers to none other

than God. The great yogis meditate in this mantra as the path to Eternal

Bliss of the Formless Nameless God!

 

The praNava (Aum) has five parts. They are akara, ukara, makara, bindhu,

naadam. Consequently this is also one of the glorious panchaakshara

mantra.

 

The scriptures that explain the glory of this praNava mantra are quite

many. However the significant one is from the skandha puraaNa. It is a

well known puraaNic event that skandha described the real meaning of the

praNava mantra to God Siva. In the above mentioned episode of skandha

puraaNa the sage vaamadeva seeks the boon from Lord Skandha to tell him

too that description. Lord Skandha who was pleased with the devotion of

sage vaamadeva told him that great secret.