"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 (as seen in the
image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman,
the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — 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. Om is also a popular symbol used in contemporary
body
art and tattoos.
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 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
During
meditation,
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.
How to Type it on your Computer
Try this! To get the Om symbol on your computer screen, open MS Word
and key in backslash ( \ ) in Wingdings font. You will type in Om!
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