AUM-The Mantra
"The
goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and
which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is AUM. This
syllable AUM 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)
AUM or OM is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol 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. AUM, 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.
AUM in Daily Life
Although
AUM 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
AUM. 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 AUM as a pendant. This symbol
is enshrined on 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 AUM is written on its tongue with honey. Thus
right at the time of birth the syllable AUM is initiated into the life
of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety. AUM is also
a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos.
The Eternal Syllable
According to the Mandukya Upanishad, "AUM
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 AUM
AUM
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 AUM, 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 AUM
Om
provides a dualistic viewpoint. On one hand, it projects the mind
beyond the immediate to what it 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 AUM
During meditation,
when we chant AUM, 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—AUM—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 AUM .
