ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ

“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

Significance of OM

Origin and meaning: Defining and tracking the meaning of OM is equal to a philosophical quest.

According to Indian philosophy, the syllable of the word OM, in simplest terms, means the

fundamental or the vocal manifestation of the Brahman (the ultimate reality or truth).

Various schools of Indian philosophy also consider OM as the all-encompassing corpus or the essence of

the universe.

OM is a transcendental entity.

It surpasses all dimensions of space and time, and it constitutes the past, the present, and the future.

OM is also supposed to be the first vibratory sound from the seed or bija of creation.

Thus, some philosophers believe that the syllable OM marked the origin of speech, and some even consider it as the starting point of languages.

In Hinduism, Om is also known as Pranava or Pranava mantra.

Hindu ceremonies, rituals, and mantras begin by reciting OM as it marks a good start.

According to the Hindu belief, OM comprises three Sanskrit letters aa, au, and ma.

They are attributions to Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma.

The chanting of OM is also useful for meditation as it helps to achieve spiritual emancipation.

The syllable is thus a prominent component of Yoga, and the ancients used it as a pathway to gain

ultimate knowledge.

OM and Mandukya: Deep philosophical debates about OM are noticeable throughout the Vedas, the Upanishads, and other sacred texts of the Hindus.

While Vedas elaborates on the ritualistic aspect of OM, the Mandukya Upanishad explains its spiritual underpinnings.

The pathway to revelation is knowable to anyone who has united with Brahman.

The same is achievable by following the preachings of the experienced one.

The Mandukya Upanishad contains the profound preachings of the great sage Manduka.

As described in the Mandukya, OM is ineffable, imperishable, and abstract.

The first twelve paragraphs of the Mandukaya attempt to describe OM.

It states, “Omityetadaksharamidam sarvam, tasyopavyakhyanam, bhutan bhavatbhavishyaditi sarvamomkara eva;yaccanyat trikalatitam tadapyomkara eva” which means OM surpasses everything and it is the whole of the universe. It includes ‘what has become, what is becoming, what will become, and anything that is beyond these three states.

The four hundred slokas named the Karika, and the associated Baashyas help the seekers of knowledge or reality achieve their goal.

It acts as a guide to gain Moksha or salvation.

As Mandukya describes OM and provides wisdom beyond the world, it is the best way to seek ultimate liberation. Thus, Mandukya acts as a guide for those who wish to unite with the Brahman.

Brahman, Atman, and OM Brahman is the ultimate reality or source of all existence. Atma (Self) is a different form of Brahman.

The relationship between Brahman and Atman is similar to that of the river and an individual water drop.

Both the river and the water droplet are composed of H20, but both are not the same. Similarly, the essential components of Atman and Brahman are the same, yet they are different from one another.

The relationship between Atman and OM is also complicated.

As OM is the manifestation of Brahman, and both Atman and Brahman are fundamentally the same, OM and Atman are the same. So, OM the beginning and end of all beings.

The Brahman or OM is the Self as well.

The self has four quarters. The first quarter is jagritham (the waking state) that is personified by vaisnavanara.

The second quarter is swapnavasta (the dream state) that is incarnated by taijasa.

The third quarter is prajna (deep sleep) that is personified by prajnan, and finally, turiyam that consolidates the three states and Atman itself.

Thus, the relationship between Brahman, Atman, and OM is inconceivable and intricate.

OM in Hindu practises The basic principles of Hinduism emerged from OM, which is the sacred embodiment of the Brahman.

Hindu practices, chantings, and mantras start with OM as it comprehends all things and makes every beginning auspicious.

Manusmrithi, Puranas, Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts of the Hindus describe the structure, nature, and relevance of OM.

Brahma created the universe with OM, and thus, OM unites us with Brahma.

The three letters aa, au, and ma that constitute OM also gave way to the vyahrtis, Bhuh, Bhuvah, Savh, which is the beginning of the auspicious Gayatri Mantra (chanting dedicated to deity Savitri).

The Vedic scriptures also mention Om in connection with the anahat nād.

Vedas describes OM as a sound that surpasses all worldly states and dimensions and claims that only the true seeker of truth can be in tune with it.

Even the Asrama system (life stages- Brahmacharya, Grihastha,

Vanaprastha, and Sanyasa), the ritual octaves, and the three holy deities (Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma) originated from the concept OM.

According to the Hindu belief system, OM provides eternal bliss, peace of mind and helps us gain ultimate knowledge.

The Bhagavad Gita attributes OM as the mantra of the Brahma and an accurate way to be focussed and achieve eternal salvation.

Also, one would be able to gain the ultimate benefits of OM only if it gets recited in the right way.

The prominent preachers of Hinduism claim that the recitation of OM must neither be too long nor too short.

When chanted correctly, it leads to a spiritual awakening where one unites with the ultimate reality.

Thus, OM is all-knowing yet unknowable, all-encompassing yet unimaginable, and it is the pathway to the ultimate truth and the ultimate truth itself.

When one imbibes the true essence of OM, the Self transcends, and the Atman unites with the Brahman.

It is a moment of true self-realisation.

Om makes everything auspicious and provides complete harmony.

So the Mandukya lets OM fill our ears, eyes, and our body with the potential that can lead us through the path of attaining Moksha by serving the purpose of our lives.

Let us begin chanting OM….OM….OM…

Significance of OM

Om is called the sound of one hand clapping. Om is the eternal sound; Om is the sound which is there in the universe all the time.

All the saints in the past, when they went deep into meditation, they just heard Om.

So,Om means many things. It means love, eternity, purity, peace. 

Om is made up of several dhatus: ‘Ah’ ‘Oo’ ‘Ma’. Just ‘Ah’ has 19 meanings.

You can derive some several thousand meanings from Om.

All those meanings are attributed to Om, so Om is the seed of the whole creation; Om is the sound of creation.

In Bible too, it is said, ‘In the beginning there was a word and the word was with God and the word was God’. That is Om.

There they don’t say which word; the word is Om.

It is in all the religions in some or the other form. That is the true name, ‘Ek Omkar Sat Naam’. 

Om means truth.

It is the name of the infinity or the Divinity.

 It means love. It is the origin of the universe.

There is a beautiful verse in the Guru Granth Sahib, which begins with ‘Ek Omkar Sat Naam, Karta Purakh’ – From Om everything has come, in Om everything dwells, and into Om everything will dissolve; both matter and consciousness.

The best thing is that it is a complete vibration. ‘Ah’ affects the lower part of the body, ‘Oo’ affects the middle part, ‘Ma’ affects the upper part.

The total prana is represented by one syllable Om. Before birth, we were part of that sound and after death we will merge with that sound; the sound of the spirit.

So, you can say many things about Om.

There is a whole Upanishad, the Mandukya Upanishad, which is all about Om.

Now, why don’t we take only Om as a mantra?

Why do we need any other mantra to chant during meditation?

Before meditation, you chant Om and create the vibration, but for meditation you need different mantras.

Just Om is not used; Hari Om or Om Namah Shivaya, or something else is used along with Om.

Only recluses, those who want to do nothing with the world, or are very old are allowed to do chant Om. Even then, it is not advisable.

What is Om “ॐ”

Significance Of Om

The syllable “Om” or “Aum” is of paramount significance in Hinduism. It is said that “Om” is the first sound that emerged from the vibrations of the cosmic energy that created the universe. Om is the sound through which, all other sounds and energy was released. Om is a sacred sound, a spiritual icon and a mantra .

Om, also spelled as Aum, is a sacred syllable and a spiritual symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other Dharmic religions. It holds immense significance and is considered one of the most powerful mantras in the world. The word “Om” is derived from the ancient Sanskrit language and is believed to be the primordial sound that gave birth to the universe.

The significance of Om lies in its multifaceted nature and the profound symbolism it carries. Here are some key aspects that highlight its importance:

1. Universal Sound: Om is often referred to as the “Pranava,” which means the sound of creation. It is believed to be the cosmic vibration that permeates everything in the universe, from the smallest atoms to the galaxies. Chanting Om is said to align the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness and connect one to the divine energy that flows through all existence.

2. Representation of Trinity: Om symbolizes the three fundamental aspects of existence—creation, preservation, and dissolution—which are represented by the Hindu trinity of gods: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). The three sounds within Om—A, U, and M—represent these aspects respectively, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the eternal rhythm of the universe.

3. Sacred Symbol: Om is often depicted as a visually captivating symbol. It consists of three curves, one semicircle, and a dot. The curves represent the states of wakefulness, dream, and deep sleep, while the dot represents the transcendent state beyond these three. The semicircle at the top represents Maya, the illusion that veils the ultimate truth, and the crescent below the dot signifies the merging of the individual self with the universal consciousness.

4. Spiritual Awakening: Chanting or meditating on Om is believed to have a transformative effect on one’s spiritual journey. It serves as a focal point for concentration, allowing individuals to enter a state of deep meditation and self-realization. Om is considered a vehicle that transcends the limitations of the mind and leads to a direct experience of the divine presence within oneself.

5. Harmonization of Body, Mind, and Spirit: The vibrations created by chanting Om are thought to have a harmonizing effect on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of a person. It is believed to balance the chakras (energy centers) within the body, promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. The resonance of Om is said to resonate with the natural vibration of the universe, bringing about a sense of inner peace and unity.

6. Sacredness in Rituals and Mantras: Om is frequently used as a sacred invocation at the beginning and end of prayers, rituals, and spiritual practices. It acts as a gateway to connect with the divine and invoke blessings. Many mantras and hymns in various spiritual traditions begin with Om as a way to infuse them with divine energy and invoke the presence of the divine beings.

In conclusion, Om holds immense significance as a sacred syllable and spiritual symbol. Its multifaceted nature encompasses the essence of creation, preservation, and dissolution, as well as the unity of body, mind, and spirit. Chanting or meditating on Om can facilitate spiritual awakening, harmonize one’s being, and deepen the connection with the universal consciousness. It is a powerful tool that resonates with the fundamental vibrations of the universe and serves as a reminder of our inherent divinity.

Usage of Om

Om is major dominant concept in Hindu belief, it is used daily by most followers of Hinduism, majorly Hindus begin their day or any work or journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often used on top of letters, examination papers, account books etc . Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. One would find Om “ॐ “in every Hindu temple, and also in some form even at home shrines. One would also see Om written in yoga studios, meditation rooms.

Om is a sacred and significant symbol, sound, and concept in several Eastern religions and spiritual traditions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It holds great importance and is often considered a fundamental aspect of the universe itself.

The symbol “Om” is a representation of the primordial sound that is believed to have existed before the creation of the universe. It consists of three Sanskrit letters: A, U, and M, which, when combined, create the syllable “Aum” or “Om.” Each letter symbolizes different aspects of existence and consciousness.

The sound of Om is considered to be the sound of creation and encompasses all sounds that exist within the universe. It is believed to vibrate at a fundamental frequency that resonates with the essence of life and the cosmos. Chanting or meditating on the sound of Om is believed to bring about a sense of peace, harmony, and connection with the divine.

Om is often used as a mantra in spiritual practices, meditation, and yoga. It is chanted repeatedly to quiet the mind, focus the attention, and enter a state of deep concentration. The rhythmic repetition of Om is believed to help practitioners attain a state of transcendence and spiritual enlightenment.

Beyond its auditory and visual representations, Om is also regarded as a powerful spiritual concept. It represents the underlying unity and interconnectedness of all things in the universe. It signifies the eternal, infinite, and unchanging nature of existence, while also encompassing the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

Om is a symbol that transcends religious boundaries and is embraced by people from diverse spiritual backgrounds. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to evoke a profound sense of peace, harmony, and spiritual awareness. Whether chanted, visualized, or contemplated upon, Om serves as a reminder of our connection to the vast cosmic order and our own inner selves.

Word “OM” and its Significance

The Word “OM” and its OM Significance

OM Significance: The word OM has its own significance and holds universe in itself. It is in terms a name of God itself.

Maharishi Panini has given different meanings to the word OM which further signifies its importance.

1. The first and the foremost meaning of OM is SARVRAKSHAK i.e. protect all. Where it clarifies that god is friend of everyone and protects all His creatures amazingly which a man can’t even imagine.

2. OM in itself is considered as Gati Pradata meaning speed provider. The universe has planets, sub-planets which are rotating and are progressively moving . There is life in every creature and are moving ahead day by day. This is OM.

3. The third meaning to the word is Kranti i.e. revolution. It encourages for self enhancement, to bring change.

4. Priti Data meaning OM generates the feeling of love in all and so is appreciable.

5. Sarvavyapakta i.e. God is residing in minutest of thing. He is everywhere and is the whole sole creator and defender / protector of all which as fact we all accept as a human and thus believe in Him and take the blessings.

6. Yachniya: is believed to be the provider of all facilities, fame, name .

7. OM also means Sukarma meaning self work / Karma to perform individual duties.

8. Is well wisher for all. It increases the desire to do more and fulfill them and achieve the goals.

9. Tej pradata: provides energy to destroy the enemies and gives strength to fight with them

10. Sarvatra prapata: those who believe in His creation and full faith in Him they always find God with them .

11. Unite with God: The word OM creates a connection between God and His devotees.

12. Teaches all to be non-violent. It provides us energy from Sun, Moon and protects us.

Lord Krishna in Bhagvadgita has preached Arjuna that
OMITYAKASHARAN BRAHMA
VYAHARNMANUSAMARAN
YAH PRAYATI TTYJENDEHN SAH
YATI PARMAN GATIM

Every human being enjoys the facilities of life, completes a lifecycle and chanting the word OM leaves the soul from body comes to me and finally attains moksha. This is the importance of word OM which at the end provides blessings to all.

Meaning of the Symbol Om in Different Religions

The most sacred symbol in Hinduism, “Om” has a lot of significance in other religions as well.

The SpiritualRay article explains the precise meaning of Om in Hinduism, as well as in three other religions.

The most sacred symbol in Hinduism, “Om” has a lot of significance in other religions as well. The SpiritualRay article explains the precise meaning of Om in Hinduism, as well as in three other religions.

The Purpose of Chanting ‘Om’

“What world does he who meditates on Aum until the end of his life, win by That? If he meditates on the Supreme Being with the syllable Aum, he becomes one with the Light, he is led to the world of Brahman [the Absolute Being] Who is higher than the highest life, That Which is tranquil, unaging, immortal, fearless, and supreme.”
― Prashna Upanishad 5:1,5,7

The word “om” or “aum” is made of three sounds, “aah”, “uh”, and ”mm”, which together form “aum.” The word literally means “that which is sounded out loudly.” It is calledpranava in Sanskrit. Om is considered as the beginning and end of all things; it is an all-encompassing identity.

Although Om originates in the Hindu religion, it is sacred in many other religions like Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism as well.

Significance of Om in Various Religions

Hinduism

• Om is one of the most significant symbols in Hinduism, and is considered as the first and original vibration of the Universe. It is seen almost everywhere. Most of the mantras begin with Om.
• It is all-embracing, and has no beginning or end. It is the reflection of absolute reality. Chanting Om during meditation helps one to connect with his/her spiritual self.
• The three letters in A-U-M represent the three aspects of life: (i) Creation (Brahma), (ii) Preservation (Vishnu), and (iii) Destruction (Shiva).
• 
  Every Upanishad mentions the symbol. The different elements of the symbol have been beautifully described in the Mandukya Upanishad.

1. The first curve in the Om symbol means the deep sleep state or the casual plane.
2. The second curve is the dreaming state, subtle world.
3. The biggest curve is the waking state or the conscious mind.
4. The bindu or the dot at the top signifies the absolute reality, atma, the self, or the pure consciousness.

Uttering the monosyllable Aum, the eternal word of Brahman, one who departs leaving the body (at death), he attains the Supreme Goal (i.e., he reaches God).
― The Bhagavad Gita (8.13)

Buddhism

• 
  One of the most powerful mantras in Buddhism begins with Om. It is known as the lotus mantra and is chanted as ”Om mani padme hum”.

• It is used in many other mantras like Om vagishwari hum, Om dhrung svaha, Om vajrapani hum, and Om vajrasattva hum.
• Aum, as a part of the bija mantra, is regarded as sacred in Esoteric Buddhism.
• Buddhism in Nepal was characterized by meditation, and did not involve chanting of mantras. Practice of mantras started with the emergence of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.
• Chants and meditation were used for spiritual well-being, self-protection, and purification.
• Om represents the living being―body, speech, and mind―for the Buddhists.

Jainism

• In Jainism, Om refers to the initials of the Pañca-Parameṣṭhi or the five supreme beings. Om is made up of five letters: A, A, A, U, and M, which together form AAAUM.

1. The first letter “A” represents Arihant (vanquisher of enemies).
2. The second “A” represents Ashiri (one who is accomplished).
3. The third letter “A” represents Acharya (a highly learned man).
4. The fourth letter “U” represents Upajjhaya (an ascetic teacher).
5. The fifth letter “M” represents Muni (monks/nuns, who are initiated).

Hence, the Om represents the salutation to the five profoundly respected beings of Jain religion.

• “Om Namah” is used like a short form to the Navkar Mantra, which is the most significant mantra in Jainism.

Sikhism

• Ik Onkar means One God, One Supreme Reality, and is considered a cardinal tenet of Sikh religious philosophy.

1. ‘Ik’ means one or united.
2. ‘On’ means ultimate or highest brahma (God) and the Atma (soul) of the entire Universe.
3. ‘Kar’ means without shape or form.

• Onkar is another way of spelling Omkar, and both represent the Supreme Divine.
• It is also the opening phrase of the Mul Mantra (Mool Mantar) from the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the first composition of Guru Nanak.

As you can see, although different religions interpret the symbol differently, the basic meaning of the symbol remains unchanged. Om is not just a symbol, or a single word; it is the divine vibration of the Universe.

Exploring the Real Meaning and Significance of ‘OM’

Have we ever pondered over the reason as to why we always chant ‘OM’ before every mantra or a religious ritual no matter auspicious, remorseful or meditation etc?

What makes ‘Om’ so important that the Gurus chose to bless their Shishyas by just chanting this ekaakshar (one word) in their ears?

According to the ancient religious texts, ‘Om’ signifies the ONE Supreme Power/ Brahman (the absolute); which is in symphony with the governing principle of ‘ONENESS ‘, guided by the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta

Om’ is the all pervading, omnipotent and omnipresent sound of the Cosmos. For this reason it is also referred as ‘Pranava’; the energy that runs in our Prana.

‘Om’ is not just regarded as a word, it is an intonation produced by coalescing the three Sanskrit syllables (Au-Oh-Mm); which on concentrated repetition give a threefold experience on the physical, mental and the astral plane.

‘Om’ represents the incomprehensible and unmanisfested / Nirguna aspect of the supreme; at the same time the symbol of Om signifies a comprehensible and manifested aspect of it so as to provide the human mind with a conceivable channel to lead them towards the realization of its actual Nirguna state.

In Katha Upanishad, ‘Om’ has been described as the primordial sound from which all other sounds and creations have emerged. It has been referred as the force behind all existence and creation; and is the aim of all Vedas.

In Mundaka Upanishad, the analogy of bow and arrow has been put to use to describe the signification of ‘Om’; where ‘Om’ is compared to a bow; the soul to an arrow and the Brahman (Absolute) to the target; and this target is said be achieved only by those who sincerely practice it all their life with the sole aim of attaining communion with the Brahman/ Absolute

Mandukya Upanishad, one of the most important of all Upanishads is centrally focused towards ‘Om’; describing it as the imperishable word; chanting and contemplating over which can lead the soul to the four states of Consciousness. To explain it further the introduction of the Upanishad goes……

“Aum ity Etad Akṣaram Idam Sarvam,

Tasyopavyākhyānam Bhūtam Bhavad

Bhaviṣyad iti Sarvam Auṁkāra Eva Yac

Cānyat Trikālātītaṁ Tad Apy Auṁkāra Eva.”

which means that ‘Om’ is the past, present, future and the whole universe. In other words, all that is, was and shall be verily is Om. Everything beyond the time and space also is ‘Om’.

In the 12 verses of Mandukya Upanishad, the concept of Brahman/ Absolute, Self/ Atma and the four levels of consciousness have been described and ‘Om’, has been referred as the pure Consciousness. The intonation of Om and the three syllables (Au- Oh- Mm) have been described as identical with the four stages of consciousness; the first three states being waking ( Vaishvanara ) , dreaming (Taijasa) , and sleeping (Prajna ). The fourth state ( Turiya), which is pure consciousness is realized beyond the other three states; in the stillness of silence brought after the completion of each chant of “Om”.

To simplify, meditating upon ‘Om’, purifies the mind, frees it from distraction and consequently leads the soul towards the tranquil state.

‘Om’ is also the central element of Lord Krishna’s exposition on Spiritual life in Srimad Bhagwad Geeta; where he has described it as nothing less than the supreme consciousness and has conveyed that nothing is greater than ‘Om’. The great lord also mentioned that those beings who practice, meditate and concentrate upon Om and remember it always, attain the supreme goal of life

From the Holy Scriptures to the greatest sages of Hinduism, the treasure and power hidden in ‘Om’ has been discussed by all.

In the words of great Sage Patanjali, ‘Om’ is the voice of God, chanting of which should be done in depth, understanding its significance and from that comes introspection and disappearance of all obstacles.

In the words of the main reviver of Vedanta in the 20th century, Swami Vivekananda , ‘Om’ represents the Akhanda, the undifferentiated Brahman; whom all the Vedas seek and to seek whom men undergo all sorts of asceticism. ‘Om’ is the eternal; the immortal One and he who knows this secret receives all that he desires.

I learned an immensely important reference from my revered Guru who in one of his discourses shared with us that it is the dynamic power emanating from the resonating sound of ‘Om’ in Cosmos that has led to the creation of the Universe. That life has also manifested as its extension embodiment and this resonance emanates now and shall continue even after it ceases.

The perspective of Science

In the same context, researchers from NASA, in the year 2013 and 2012 reported a similar phenomenon in the Interstellar space which they refer as the Interstellar Plasma Music.

Other than this, innumerable researches have also testified that meditation on ‘Om’ improves physiological functioning of the body, increases sensitivity to sensory transmission and stabilizes mind. Even simple listening to the sound of ‘Om’ has been found to activate brain, balance emotions and develop empathy.

On a concluding note, followers of Vedanta and Hinduism must brim their hearts with infinite pride and unshakeable confidence whilst we contemplate and meditate regularly, upon the magnanimous Divine essence of this ekakshar ‘Om’. At the same, also affirm in a realization that the root foundation of our religion is not just based on tenets of spirituality but equally on the rational principles of science as well ! OM

What does “Om” actually mean? All about the origin and meaning

Like Namasté, “Om” is a word that is never missing from a yoga or meditation session. You’ve probably also seen the symbol from the Sanskrit alphabet many times. But what exactly does this little syllable mean, which has been used by Hindus, Buddhists and yogis for millennia?

The Sacred Syllable

To call Om a word is not strictly accurate, because it is actually a syllable. In fact, Om is even considered a holy syllable. This is because the Sanskrit spelling does not yield Om, but Aum, and thus it begins and ends with the initial and final letters of the Sanskrit alphabet. Om/Aum thus stands for the universal, the whole and is understood as the basis of every single sound that follows.

Origin of Om

The small yet important syllable consists of the three letters A, U and M, which are characteristic of the three Vedas. The Vedas (“knowledge”) are religious texts of Hinduism and were first mentioned in very ancient Indian scriptures, the Upanishads.

These three letters either stand for the three gods Vishnu (A), Shiva (U) and Brahma (M) or are understood as symbols for three states of consciousness: A means waking, U stands for dreaming and M for deep sleep. In addition, there is a fourth state, silence. So actually Om does not consist of three but of four parts, but logically one does not hear all of them when pronouncing it.

What exactly does Om mean?

There isn’t really an exact literal translation for Om, but loosely speaking it expresses, “All that has been, all that is, and all that is yet to be.” Om thus stands for past, present and future at the same time – quite a lot of content for such a short syllable! As already mentioned, Om is considered a primal sound, so to speak, the sound that precedes all others. In Hinduism, Om is the sound of creation.

When and why is Om mentioned?

You probably know Om as an ornamental element in the form of Sanskrit spelling, or even from yoga class. Before and after yoga, Om is often said to usher in or conclude the practice.

You may know Om as an ornamental element in the form of Sanskrit spelling.

If you say an Om slowly to yourself, you will immediately notice the vibrations that arise in the body. In yoga, this vibration is said to awaken awareness of the meditation practice and create harmony for body, mind and spirit.

Om, then, is less of a chant than a chant.

Om, then, is not so much a word as a syllable used as mantra to help one become aware of one’s own mind and arrive in the moment.

Meaning of OM and Swastik

 OM

Om is a sound and symbol, rich in meaning and depth, often chanted at the beginning and end of yoga classes. It appears at the beginning and end of most Sanskrit (ancient language originated in India) prayers. It is a mystic syllable, considered the most sacred mantra. Lord Ganesha as OM is the ruler of the letters or mantras of Sanskrit.

Hindus believe that as creation began, the divine, all-encompassing consciousness took the form of the first and original vibration manifesting as sound “OM”. Hindus believe the mantra “OM” is the name of God, the vibration of the Supreme. It is sometimes chanted as three sounds, a-u-m, symbolic of the three major Hindu deities: Brahma Shakti (creation), Vishnu Shakti (preservation), and Shiva Shakti (liberation, and/or destruction).

Om reminds us that we have the ability to move past our physical and mental states of consciousness and connect with the divine – both in ourselves and others. It has been said that Om is the sound of the universe. In its essence, Om represents the sound of divinity in all things in the past, present, and future.

SWASTIK

Swastik, equilateral cross with arms bent at right angles, all in the same rotary direction, usually clockwise. The swastika as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune is widely distributed throughout the ancient and modern world. The word is derived from the Sanskrit svastika, meaning “conducive to well-being.” It was a favorite symbol of ancient Mesopotamian coinage. In Scandinavia, the left-hand swastika was the sign for the god Thor’s hammer. The swastika also appeared in early Christian and Byzantine art (where it became known as the gammadion cross, or crux gammata, because it could be constructed from four Greek gammas [ Γ ] attached to a common base), and it occurred in South and Central America (among the Maya) and in North America (principally among the Navajo).

What is the meaning of OM?

What Is OM?

OM is a Sanskrit syllable ॐ, holds the vastness of comprising a sound that pervades the whole universe. In the mantras perspective, OM is a bija or seed mantra.

As a seed mantra, OM is usually used in the activation of the crown chakra and at the beginning (prefix) on the Saguna mantra (sound with meaning, form & a manifestation). By this fact of giving birth to a Saguna mantra, OM is also considered a Nirguna (unmanifest i.e. beyond 3 gunas).

Some example of saguna mantras which stems from OM are:

• om shanti shanti shanti om
• om namah shivay
• om gan ganpataye namah

In nutshell: ‘OM’ is the prana that you keep on breathing, whatever you see or able to perceive, your consciousness and its depth. The source of the very first vibration of the entire universe is ‘OM’.

OM Meaning & Interpretations

Literally, as OM is nirguna (attributeless) it can’t have a certain meaning. But for the purpose of interpretations, OM can be elaborated in different ways.

Syllable ‘OM’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Omkara (ओंकार)‘. It is also called ‘Pranava‘ in Sanskrit, which means ‘Bow to the divine to the folded hands’. It’s the representation of the ultimate reality of the universe.

In Hinduism, om means:

• Atman ( soul, oneself)
• Brahman (truth, divine, supreme, etc)
• Union of 3 gods or 3 gunas

In Jainism, om means:

• 5 supreme beings (Pañca-Parameṣṭhi ¹) – Arihant, Ashiri, Acharya, Upajjhaya, Muni (A,A,A,U,M – AUM).

In Jainism, om means:

• Ik Onkar – one god, sometimes also referred to “creator of Om”

Origin and History

How someone can find the origin of something, which in itself is the origin of everything? This same applies to the OM.

However, ‘OM’ has been first mentioned in the Upanishads (ancient Sanskrit texts of spiritual teaching and ideas of Hinduism).

‘Vayu Purana‘ has compared OM to the trinity of Hinduism, which represents the union of the three gods.

• A for the Brahma – The creator
• U for the Vishnu – The preserver
• and M for shiva – The destroyer.

These three sounds also symbolize one of the sacred ancient texts called Vedas (Rigveda, Samveda, and Yajurveda).

Manduka Upanishads stated about the syllable OM, in the sense of initiator of the universe. Before the beginning of the universe, Brahmaa (absolute reality) was the single entity. Their thought to become many has given birth to the very first vibration, which further turns into the sound. Therefore, This sound came to be known as the syllable OM.

Upanishad Perspective of OM

In mandukya Upanishad, sages have said OM is a tool that can lead you to the ultimate reality of the self. According to this literature, a person has 3 dimensions of perception:

1. Waking & waker’s world – Physical world that we perceive through 5 senses
2. Dreaming & dreamer’s world – Inner thoughts or that we perceive in a dreaming state through virtual senses
3. Deep sleep & darkness – Seeking the causes or the experience of nothingness that we perceive in deep sleep

In these 3 dimensions, there is an undisturbed or pure consciousness that experiences all but still unaffected from its consequences. This is the 4th dimension of our existence, called true-self.

The sound of OM also comprises these 4 dimensions of our existence in a hidden form.

1. The sound of “Ahhh” (A) – Represents the waking state of our existence
2. Sound of “Ouuu” (U) – Represents the dreaming state of our existence
3. & The sound of “Mmmm” (M) – Represents the deep sleep state of our existence

In order to realize the true-self, the sound of OM (AUM) comprises “a silence” at the end of Mmmm sound which transcends all 3 dimensions of self. So by repetitive chanting of OM, one can realize the true-self lies within the self.

This is the reason why the sound of OM is considered Atman (soul within) or Brahman (ultimate reality) or the sound of God. In favor of this, Patanjali introduced OM in yoga sutras as:

His word is Om.

YSP 1.27

4 Parts of the OM Symbol

Symbol of OM holds the knowledge of the universe in its structure. You will be surprised to know that the ultimate goal of one’s life is hidden in the symbol of OM.

When OM analyzed structurally, it has 4 parts:

• 3 curve structures
• 1 crescent structure
• 1 dot.

1. Three Curves of the OM

• First or the lower curve represents the waking state or ‘jagrati‘. This state broadened the consciousness to come out through the senses. The larger size of the curve signifies the majority or the common state among the human’s consciousness.
• Second or the middle curve represents the dreaming state or ‘swapna‘ (the state between the deep sleep and waking state). This state brings the consciousness of the practitioner inwards. By closing the eye, practitioner dive within to know the self from more closely.
• Third or the upper curve represents the deep sleep or unconscious state or ‘sushupti‘. In this state, the practitioner does not desire or dream anything.

2. A dot at the Top

Fourth or the dot represents the turiya. In this state of consciousness, the practitioner gazes neither inwards nor outwards, or the two together. However, this state brings the practitioner to the rest or peaceful or blissful state, which is the ultimate aim of all spiritual activity. This state also illuminates the other three states.

3. A Semicircle Between Curves & Dot

The semicircle signifies the barrier between the state of ultimate bliss and the rest three states. It prevents us from reaching the highest form of bliss. However, the gap between the semicircle and the dot represents that the highest state (dot) is unaffected by the Maya (semicircle).

So, in this way OM untwists the hidden mystery of the purpose of life and the universe.

Elemental Sound in OM

‘OM’ is the mother vibration of the universe, which refers to the Atman (ourself, soul) and Brahman (supreme truth, the initiator, the ultimate reality, divine aspect). The sound of OM on pronouncing has three parts. All have their specific meaning and significance.

1. Ah

‘Ah’ is the sound that comes when we begin the utterance of ‘OM’. This represents the first lord Brahama, who is known for the ‘creation’ of the universe. It’s concerned with the waking state and connects our gross conscious to the lower part of the body.

2. Ooh

‘Ooh’ is the middle sound, in which the practitioner dive into the deepness of self. This represents the second lord Vishnu, who is responsible for the ‘preservation’ of the universe. It is concerned with the dreaming state and connects our subtle consciousness to the middle part of the body.

3. Mm

‘Mm’ is the releasing sound. It’s fade away and takes the practitioner toward the supreme. This represents the third lord Shiva, who is known as the ‘destroyer’ of the universe. It is concerned with the deep sleep state and connects our casual consciousness to the upper part of the body.

Why Do We Chant OM?

Basically, the tongue is being used to produce all other sounds or vocals. When we chant OM, three sounds (Aa, Ooh & Mm) are produced very clearly through the mouth without moving tongue.  So, OM is the basic or the fundamental sounds in existence.

Human internal organs are very sensitive to the vibration produced by 3 sounds of syllable OM.

OM is the source of creation & by chanting it, we show our gratitude to that source power. According to modern science, the whole existence is reverberation. Wherever is a vibration, there is a sound and wherever is sound, there is creation.
For example, television has three color webs from which it produces millions of colors. Similarly, these three basic sounds of OM produces a variety of expression on a specific combination.

Sound ‘Aa’ is the basic sound not only in India but all across the world. Uttering of it starts from the roots of the energy body or beneath the naval, where 72,000 nadis (subtle energy channels) meet. This is the maintenance center or called the Manipura chakra in yoga. As you utter ‘Aa’ the Nadis reverberates the vibrations across the whole body. If you utter Ooh and Mm, it spreads in a different way, for every sound some part of the body gets affected.

Every sound activates a certain dimension of your energy system. So, these three sounds as a combination activate the whole system of the body. Sound not only creates emotion but it changes the whole system of your body. Therefore, chanting OM is the science that could make life happen to you. This is about making life happen in the highest terms of intensity and beauty.

Benefits of Chanting OM

OM is the sound whose vibrations have a grasp on the entire universe. Chanting OM in mediation has innumerable benefits in the sense of physical, psychological and emotional levels. Regular uttering of this sacred syllable could be of paramount way to change one’s life forever.

1. Om Cleanses the Surrounding

Chanting OM is not only beneficial for the one who is practicing but also for the surrounding. Uttering OM produces the sacred vibrations that overpower the negativities flowing in the environment around. Also, chanting OM maintains or prevents the positivity from leaving the place.

2. Reduce Stress and Anxiety

According to research ², regular chanting of OM in the meditation practice helps in reducing stress and anxiety.

Vibrations produced while chanting OM activates certain centers and nerves (vagus), which are the most common treatment of stress. However, it also regulates the unspecific activity of the endocrine system responsible for the production of chemicals that causes stress & anxiety.

3. Strengthens Spinal Cord

It has been found that chanting OM while sitting (straight back) in meditation, impacts the spinal cord. ‘Aa’ sound of OM originates from the naval root, which is in the vicinity of the spinal cord. Vibrations Reveraberate throughout the spinal cord to vitalize the nerves. This further improves the function and strengthens the spinal cord.

4. Improves Digestive system

The digestive process is concerned with the vagus nerve ³ originates from the medulla of the brainstem.

OM chanting has a significant effect on the digestion. The vibration produced on the utterance causes a stimulation of the vagus nerve (controls the digestion related activities). Further, which regulates the digestive process of an individual.

5. Maintain the Rhythmic Activity of the Heart

Chanting OM has a calming effect on the heart. It maintains the natural rhythm of the cardiac cycle. As we start to chant OM, the ‘Ooh’ sound reaches the to the upper body from its originating position navel. This spreads through the entire thoracic region of the practitioner and preserves the heart’s natural rhythm.

6. Chanting OM Reduce Fatigue by Increasing Oxygen Level in Blood

A 14-year-old Indian girl ⁴ found in a study that chanting sacred syllable OM can reduce fatigue.

She got the inspiration for this research when she visited a holistic state Uttarakhand, & saw priests carrying water from Bageshwar to Kedarnath, covering 68 km every day, without tiring. The priests sang a tune of OM, all along.

OM Chanting FAQ’S

1. How many times should I chant the OM mantra?

You won’t be harmed by over uttering or repeating this mantra. However, 108 time OM chanting is considered as the ideal one. But if time is the issue, then one can chant 11 or 21 times for the convenience.

• What if I chant the OM mantra in pregnancy?

Garbha sanskar is an ancient Indian ayurvedic practice, which is performed to shape the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the unborn child. Chanting OM mantra generates the positive vibrations that calm the mother and the baby as well. Chanting this sacred syllable helps in building the pure environment for the baby in the mother’s womb.

• Dawn or dusk, what is the best time to chant the OM mantra?

Normally one can practice the OM mantra at any time, but some fixed timing by the ancient sages is ideal in approach. Brahmamahurta (4 a.m), transition period or when the night is turning into the sunrise (dawn and dusk or sunrise), when the day is turning into night. These some of the timing when you can practice OM mantra chanting.

• Can I chant OM mantra while traveling or while sitting in an office?

Yes, you can! There is no problem in chanting the OM mantra while traveling or while sitting in the office. However, OM chanting improves your mood and makes you feel more alive at given places. This helps in a happy journey and a productive day at the office.

• What should be the position of my body while chanting OM mantra?

According to the ancient yogis, a sitting position with an erect spine is considered as the ideal position for the mantra chanting. This can be achieved by the Yogic poses, for example, Padmasana (lotus pose).

• My kid wants to chant the OM mantra. What should I do?

You should be glad that he/she wants to practice the sacred syllable, which is going to shape his/her in the various aspects of life. There is no age restriction in practicing OM mantra chanting. Any age individual can practice OM chanting.

What does Om mean? By Tamblyn Lord Om ( AUM ) is a sacred Hindu symbol that represents what is considered to be the Universe’s primordial energy

It is an elemental vibration that is composed of three syllabic sounds;  a-u-m “ahh” “oooo” “mmm”. In Sanskrit the A & U vowels combine to become “O” hence Om. Just as scientists believe that the universe began from the ‘Big Bang’, so too Om can be seen as the original creative force. All matter and beings manifested from its vibration and continue to exist because of Om. It is the essence of the entire universe. It can also be identified as a deeply religious symbol in Indian philosophy, where it is believed that God first created sound and everything then arose from it. The Upanishads claim that Om is indeed God in the form of sound. Buddhism and Jainism also strongly associate with Om.

As a mantra, Om creates a subtle vibration within the body- at a cellular level – helping to cleanse, focus and harmonise one’s chakras and energetic channels ( nadis ). The subtle frequencies created when Om is chanted or meditated on help to create connection between oneself and the greater Nature. It is an energetic link between the microcosm within oneself and the greater macrocosm of the universe

The Om symbol looks a little like the number 3 ( with a circular shaped ‘ribbon’ running off the back of it…. And a line and dot distinct above)

In fact it has several threefold meanings :

3 worlds: earth, atmosphere & heaven
3 Major Hindu Gods: Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva
3 Seasons: Spring, summer & winter
3 Stages of existence: Birth, life & death( creation , preservation & destruction )
3 Gunas ( qualities ): Rajas (energy), Sattva (purity) & Tamas (ignorance)
3 Stages of time: Past, present & future

The most significant symbolism of Om is that it represents the three states of human consciousness:

Waking – jagrat – “ A “

This is the larger lower curve that faces outwards – a symbol of us living mostly by our physical senses and continually objectifying and looking out. We spend most of our conscious time in this state.
Awake but not aware ( of the true self – Atman )

Dream – svapna “ U “

This is the middle curve ( the flowing ribbon ) where one’s awareness is turned inwards, where the dreaming self can potentially explore a deeper connection with Self.
The line noticeably turns in on itself, reflecting inner awareness.
This is where yogis like to exist: to practice various yogic pursuits and attain inner focus and equanimity.

Deep sleep – sushupti “ M ”

This is the upper curve ( top of the ‘3’ ) that relates to our unconscious state. There is no desire or dreams but rather a profound self-oblivion

These three states of consciousness are in continual flux with each other and represent the entire physical realm.

Turiya:

This is the dot that represents Brahman, the fourth or highest state of consciousness that is Absolute oneness. It is actually beyond form or description and is the ultimate aim of our spiritual journey

Maya: ( semi circular line below the dot )

A mask ( or veil ) of illusion prevents the physical and conscious-self from attaining super-consciousness. As if all physical phenomena are merely a movie projected on to a screen that only the Absolute can illuminate and is aware of. This line is open ( concave ) at the top and doesn’t touch Turiya, signifying that the highest state is not affected by maya. Indeed, it can see through the veil but the lower states cannot see this state of bliss.
When the veil of maya is truly lifted, complete absorption of Oneness is attained.

Thus the Sanskrit form of Om represents the manifest, the unseen and the unknown.

Chant of AUM

When we voice Om as a three syllable chant [ A – U – M ] it has the effect of connecting with our three levels of consciousness. The highest fourth dimension is the soundless silence that follows the end of the audible AUM. The chant of AUM also resonates with the base chakras ( “Ahh’”), through the higher centres ( “OOOO” ) and up to the crown of the head and third eye centre ( “MMM” )

What is AUM(OM) and its meaning in Hinduism

What is Aum? Beyond The Symbol

Hinduism is rich in symbolism which has deeply significant meaning – and none more so than the Aum. The word comes from Sanskrit which means the beginning and ending of everything – or absolute infinity.

It represents life, death and rebirth and is often used during chanting meditations to send vibrations throughout the body to help lift practitioners to a higher state of consciousness.

The Aum, sometimes spelt “Om” to reflect the sound of the word in English, is the symbol of creation and used as the signature symbol to represent Hinduism. In a sense, it is the equivalent of the cross, the Star of David and the Sun and the Crescent Moon in other world religions.

Needless to say, Aum is the most sacred symbol and characteristic of Hinduism. It represents all life and existence – a concept Hindus also refer to as “Brahman”; “the All”, “absolute reality”, “Truth.” Aum goes beyond all Hindu Gods to the very beginning of creation, to the end of dissolution and returns as reincarnated energy.

The ancient Sanskrit writers seem to have had a profound understanding of life, death and reincarnation. Nothing exists forever, but is transformed by the energy put into it. And this includes our lives whilst we are alive. Every seven years we grow a new coat of skin.

The Aum is also connected to our thoughts. We have a germ of an idea that fires as an electrical neuron in the brain and becomes part of our consciousness. Thoughts can be killed off by not acting on them, or they can be fueled with energy and manifest into reality.

Aum and the Hindu Trimurti

Ancient civilizations believed in a divine wisdom and that belief still holds true today in the form of God. In Hinduism, there are many Gods, although Hindus still believe in the one true god – the Supreme Self.

In actual fact, other religious texts say the same thing, even though they are not always explained in the right context. 1 Corinthians 3:16 of the New American Standard Bible says:

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

But what is God? Religious texts tell us he is everywhere and in all things. Like atoms. Energy and matter. We are essentially energy and matter – and so is everything else in the Universe. Hindus believe we are all one, all connected from the same source and will return to the same source. This is Aum.

If God is within us and we are all one, it stands to reason that as God created the Earth, we are also creators. And modern thinking declares that we create our own reality just like the ancient writers explain.

Aum is broken down into three parts. A = creation; U = preservation; M = destruction. The creator, preserver and destroyer. These are the principal characteristics of the three Supreme Gods of the Hindu Trimurti.

Brahma is the creator God and has a direct correlation with how we think and behave. It is through thought, emotion and action – the triangle of manifestation – that we create our reality.

Once we have find a course of action that provides stability and purpose in our life, we need to call on the power of Lord Vishnu, the preserver who keeps the cosmic order of the Universe together.

The preservation of the cosmic order depends on how well we balance energies, and when we have an imbalance, our lives swerve off track. This is when we have to call on Lord Shiva the destroyer, to dissolve ego and rid us of limiting beliefs, attitudes and perceptions that are self-damaging.

Manifesting Aum

Whatever happens in your life is a result of what you manifest. Your experiences are a manifestation of cosmic energy in accordance with the cosmic laws determined by your thoughts, emotions and actions.

This is why most people keep encountering the same problems in life. Experiences run in cycles and when you keep doing the same things you have always done, you keep getting more of what you already have.

Life could be so much more simple if we understood ourselves, but as we pass through life, our perception of the world is shaped by our parents, peers, teachers and established institutions such as the media, religion and politics.

We are therefore pulled in all directions and do not understand our true self. We lose contact with the Supreme Self – the internal God that guides us through life. Essentially, we are not conscious of ourselves and live in a world of illusion that has been created for us.

Yet, we are told, we create our own reality. But not when we listen to outside influences. We are absolute consciousness and have to find our way back to the source to rediscover our Supreme Self. This is Aum.

For thousands of years, enlightened men have practiced meditation. This is the route back to the source. This is how we rediscover Aum. We know this from ancient writing, but none are so clear as Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha.

Gautama was heavily influenced by Hinduism and understood Aum. Buddha labeled his discovery as “The Middle Way”, returning consciousness to center and finding balance. Which brings us back to the power of three we find in Aum: A-U-M.

The mind has three parts; reptilian, limbic and neo-cortex. The reptilian brain is our animal instincts, our basic need for survival and reproduction. The limbic system regulates our body and emotions and the most evolved part, the neo-cortex gives us the ability to analyze and calculate etc.

Consciousness works in the same way. At base consciousness we have desires, cravings which stem from the reptilian brain. Our ability to find solutions comes from the higher conscious mind which in religions is described as “the heavens” – where the Gods live.

The third aspect of consciousness is the conscious mind, or the habitual mind. This is the ego which either acts as auto-pilot or makes a decision based on information from our base conscious animal, or our higher conscious God.

We often swing towards base consciousness because our desires pull on emotions which are stronger than thoughts. As a result, we propel ourselves into action which generates the energy we manifest in our lives. This is Aum. The cycle of life. Creation. Death. Rebirth.

The Om Symbol

What is the Om Symbol and what does it mean?

Om (which is sometime spelt Aum or Ohm) is a sacred sound that is also represented by the Om Symbol you see in so many walks of life. It’s the one symbol the represents the past, the present and the future in completeness.

Today, the Om symbol and its corresponding chants and recitations are very much popular around the world, and forms a part of the the many symbols of Buddhism. It weaves around different faiths and are perfectly acceptable to people from all walks of life and beliefs. People relate to Om because the ideas of peace, tranquility and unity are universally desired for. And the Om symbol and chant reminds people to slow down, relax, and be conscious of their breathe. The Om symbol is also recreated through jewelry and decorations.

The Om Symbol and the Om Sound

Om is a sacred sound or chant that is popularly known in Hindu circles and other faiths as the sound of the universe. It encompasses everything, is the focus of ultimate reality, and reconciles everything in this world and in the universe. The vibrations that you create when you vocalize the Om sound energizes the chakras throughout your whole body, with special mention of the third eye and crown chakras, that are our connections with our Divine personas. The chakras are the concentrated energy centers of our body which have the important responsibility of absorbing positive energy from the Om and also emanating back this energy. This interaction between the Om symbol and the chakras keep us functioning at an optimal level.

The Om symbol sound is a short, seed mantra which is recited peacefully to connect it with the chakras, and in the process, gives energy to the chakras. It also gives enrichment to yoga and meditation practices.

The Om Symbol and the word

When written as AUM (as some people prefer) the letters can be translated as follows: The letter “A” denotes the waking state; “U” is the dream state; and “M” represents the state of deep sleep or the unconscious state.

Om Calligraphy – The curves mean something…

In the Om symbol, the waking state is the bottom curve, the dream state is the middle curve, and the state of deep sleep (unconscious state) is the upper curve. Above the curves is the crescent which means maya or illusion, which blocks the route to the highest state of bliss or peacefulness. This highest state is represented by the dot at the topmost part of the Om symbol. It is the fourth state of consciousness and is absolutely wonderful and tranquil. There is a widely held belief that the fourth state is the condition wherein anyone can realistically link up with the Divine.

1) The Waking State is where you are totally aware and there is general consciousness, looking outwards of the body. This is where the five senses are utilized to experience the material world.

2) The Dream State – Whereas the waking state looks outwards, the Dream State makes the consciousness look inwards, and a subliminal or different world is experienced through dreams behind closed eyes.

3) The Unconscious or Deep Sleep State (the upper curve) is where the mind desires of nothing and is blacked out or shut down – a deep slumber. There are no dreams.

4) The Crescent – the illusion or the maya, is the obstacle between the Unconscious State and the Absolute State. It gets in the way of your spiritual development. This semi-circle shape doesn’t touch the Dot of the Absolute State, meaning the Highest State does not allow being affected negatively by the Maya.

5) The Absolute State which is being tried to be blocked by the crescent, is where your consciousness is neither facing inwards or outwards but is so peaceful and pure, that it is the ultimate spiritual state of being which everyone should strive for.

The history of the Om symbol

Om, Ohm, or Aum, was first mentioned in the Upanishads or the Mandukya Upishad, which are sacred Hindu texts that explain different comprehensions of the Ohm.

One explanation of this Hindu document about the Ohm is that it is immortal and that it represents all awareness of time: the past, the present, the future, as well as overtaking time itself.

These texts are linked with the Vedanta, one of six major Hindu philosophies, and the deep aspects of the Ohm mystery are thoroughly explained in the most ancient Vedantic writings. The Om symbol’s interpretation is regarded as infinite and without end, eternal language and knowledge, and is the purest base of life and of everything that exists.

The Om symbol is also well represented not only in the Hindu faith but also in Buddhism and Jainism lore. The Om symbol is part of the engravings, illustrations, and manuscripts representing all 3 religions. Plus the Om symbol and its intriguing chant are part and parcel of yoga and meditation practices.

The Om symbol is the all encompassing cosmic vibration of the universe. The Om symbol is a series of curves, and then a crescent, and then a dot. When you want to know the meaning of the Om symbol, you cannot understand it fully if you just look at its visual form. You should understand that it is derived from the states of consciousness that Aum represents.

Many also believe that the Christian “Amen” and the Islamic “Amin” originate from Om. If such power emanates from the Om symbol and its chant, it could have had helped millions of people throughout the centuries attain enlightenment and understand their important role in the universe.

What does the Om Symbol represents?

For many people of many faiths, there are slightly different understandings of what Om represents. Let’s look at some of the most common

The Om symbol represents Ganesha

Thr Hindu God Ganesha is also said to be interlinked with the Om symbol. It is because the shapes in the Om Symbol I quite similar to Ganesha’s elephant form. His head and belly are the curve on the left of the symbol while his trunk is the curve on the right. Ganesha is the Hindu God who removes obstructions or obstacles and lets go of every desire and everything material before the Absolute State of Bliss is attained. That is why Ganesha is very similar to what the Om symbol stands for.

Om and Brama

There is a Hindu belief that the Creator God Brahma’s mind processes started a vibration that evolved into the sound a Om, This is what lead to the creation of the world. This is how the Ohm has been linked to the belief that the vibrations made by chanting Om lead back to the vibrations that created the world. Om is also connoted to as Pranava, which denotes control of your life force.

Om and the Holy Trinity

Another word for Om is Aum. The three phonetic parts of Aum represent the rule of three, similar to how several Faiths are built around a Holy Trinity. Aum or Om represents not only three states of consciousness but also three realms: Earth, Heaven, and the Underworld. And also the Hindu trio of Gods: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), and Shiva (the Destroyer).

The Om symbol and Tibetan Buddhism

Om is usually placed at the beginning of Buddhist mantras and dharanis. Om is a part of several mantras of Tibetan Buddhism and symbolizes wholeness, perfection, and the infinite. The most well known Buddhist mantra is “Om mani padme hum”, the 6 syllable mantra of the Bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara. Some researchers interpret the first word in that mantra (Om) to be Aum, similar to Hinduism which is the totality of sound, existence, and consciousness.

The 14th Dalai Lama described Om as having 3 letters: A, U, and M. They represent the imperfect and impure body, speech, and thinking of everyday unenlightened life of a practitioner. They also symbolize the pure, enlightened body, speech, and mind of an enlightened Buddha. As a Buddhist symbol, Om is very similar in interpretation to Hindu beliefs.

How to paint the Om Symbol

Draw the Om symbol pattern first, either with a pencil or a 0 number brush (or any low numbered brush). Then depending on your choice of painting material, whether acrylic, watercolor, oil (and others), paint in the color of your choice into the Om symbol. Usually the color of choice is red, because it represents good energy. But others use multi colored designs onto the body of the Om symbol. There could either be a background or no background, it is your choice.

om painting

Just make sure the crescent or maya never touches the dot or the Absolute State because “no touch” connotes the Absolute State or Dot will never be affected by the evil designs of the maya.

The Om in your every day life.

Have you noticed that when you utter lengthily with care the Om sound, there develops in you a tranquility that you can’t explain. Your mind clears up and your cares in the world shuts down, albeit temporarily. If you turn your palms up as you vocalize the Om sound, this also helps enhances this peaceful experience

There is also jewelry that features the Om symbol. It is very popular because it means unity sit reminds the user and the onlookers to breathe and to focus. It is very much used in both yoga and meditation.

You should be familiar that when you observe a yoga class, they chant Om as a common practice because this recitation leads to calming their minds and refreshing their bodies.

If you have embraced the important role of the Om symbol, in your life, remember that you are united with a long line of believers from all faiths, that believe in the importance of slowing down, and taking stock of our life, and what really matters: our spiritual realm.

The Om Symbol and its Meaning

Those who regularly practice yoga or meditation will almost inevitably come across ‘Om’, whether in symbol or chant form.

The Om symbol holds a powerful significance as a sacred symbol in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain practices. It can be seen and heard in meditation and yoga classes worldwide, and it can be used to enhance almost any spiritual practice.

What is the Om Symbol?

The Om symbol visual represents the Om sound, a sacred sound that represents the universe and everything within it. 

The symbol is made up of curves, a crescent and a dot to represent absolute consciousness and the unification of the mind, body and spirit.

‘Om’ is the sacred sound of creation made up of vibrations that can energise the body’s chakras when used during meditative practice. When spoken aloud, the relatively simple-looking ‘Om’ sounds more like a word with three syllables; A, U and M.

These three phonetic components represent primordial sounds that created the entire universe – with ‘A’ representing creation, ‘U’ signifying manifestation and ‘M’ destruction. 

This sound represents the connections between the mind, body and divine energy.

The ‘Om’ symbol is a visual representation of this sound, used to give physical form to one of the most important sounds in Hindu philosophies, including Buddhist and Jain culture. 

The visual form of the symbol is made up of curves, a crescent and a dot. The large curve represents consciousness, the upper curve is unconsciousness, the middle curve represents the dream state, and the semicircle at the top represents the state of illusion.

Finally, the ‘dot of enlightenment’ at the top represents the highest state of consciousness – total peace and bliss, and the state in which someone could fully connect with the divine.

What is the History of the Om Symbol?

The first mention of the Om’s sound and symbol was in Hindu texts, but it’s now used in cultures and religions worldwide to signify the spiritual development of mind, body, and spirit.

The Om symbol has symbolic meaning in a range of cultures and religions, although its roots appear to be Hindu. The first mention of Om was in a Hindu sacred texts known as the Mandukya Upishad.

The Om symbol is said to be the essence of everything that exists. Om is the foundation of history, and it is said to be the very first sound of the universe. It is still considered sacred in Hindu religious traditions and said before every prayer, text or recitation.

Nowadays, both the Om symbol and chant are used in a range of spiritual practices. The Om symbol is used to remind people to slow down and take a breath, while the chant is used in mantra meditation practices and any yoga session that calms the mind and central nervous system.

The Om sound signifies the unity of the mind, body and spirit. For this reason, using the Om sound in a yoga or meditation class can bring about a deep sense of connection.

After chanting, the mind, body and soul will feel more aligned, and you may feel more connected to your peers.

The Om symbol is often used on jewellery and incorporated visually into meditation and yoga spaces. It serves as a visual reminder of our connection to the universe, as well as the fusion of the mind, body and spirit.

How to use the Om Symbol

Using Om to enhance your practice involves using the sound, symbol, or both together. Mantra meditations often use the Om sound to bring attention to the present and increase the flow of energy throughout the body. Om symbols are used in modern culture to aid focus and remind us of the importance of the breath. 

Mantra

The Om chant is often used in mantra meditations, whether in a group or individual practice. Mantra meditations use the Om sound to bring attention to the present moment and deep meditation.

Using rhythm and sound in this way can help increase the flow of energy through the body. Many people find invigorated, empowered and better connected to those around them following a mantra meditation.

To use the Om sound in your home practice, find a comfortable seated position, close your eyes and begin to relax into your breath. Keep your face and body relaxed.

Take a deep inhale, then as you exhale, chant ‘Om’. Break the sound down into its syllables, ‘A-A-U-U-M-M’, then take a moment of silence before chanting again. Feel the vibrations resonating through your chest, and use these waves of sound to help you to stay focused. The first two syllables should be chanted with an open mouth, before pursing your lips together for the final two syllables.

Visualisation of the Om symbol can be combined with chanting for a deeply powerful experience. Visualising the Om symbol as you meditate can further enhance your practice, and the Om symbol can serve as a powerful reminder of the lessons learned from meditation.

Many people use the Om symbol to remind them to focus, stay calm and breathe. The Om symbol is often found on jewellery, yoga clothing and mats. It’s almost become the unofficial logo of yoga, but it’s important to remember that it’s significance goes far beyond just the physical practice.

However, having Om around your home or yoga studio can be extremely helpful to remind you to slow down and breathe in trying times.

Key Facts

1. Om is a sacred syllable and symbol that is prevalent in spiritual practices worldwide, and it’s predominantly used in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cultures.
   
   

2. The Om symbol is a visual representation of the Om sound, a sacred sound made up of vibrations.

3. The Om sound represents the universe and everything that’s in it, and is often used to remind us of the unity of the mind, body and soul.

4. Reciting the Om sound in a mantra meditation can be deeply calming, and this sound can help increase the flow of positive energy around the body.

5. Meditation and yoga teachers often use the Om chant to bring a sense of unity and connection to group practices.

6. The Om symbol can be used in visualisation meditations to aid focus and enhance your practice.

OM Symbol

Perhaps the most famous among the sacred Hindu and Tibetan symbols is the “Om” sign, the embodiment of the sound that created everything in the universe. It is also known as “Aum” and “Soham”. It has many interpretations.

For example, “Om” can be thought of as the unnamed name of the Creator, the Almighty, the Tao. It should not only be considered as ritual symbolism but much broader. It is believed to contain a deep metaphysical meaning that permeates the very human consciousness.

Different interpretations of the “Om” sign

There are several interpretations of the symbol “Om”: it expresses both a graphic sign and a combination of sounds. So where did the belief that “Aum” has a sacred meaning and carries a deep spiritual message come from?

Indian spiritual sciences tell us that God originally created sound, from the vibrations of which the world and everything in the world arose. Metria itself and all of our existence came from the sacred sound. As stated in the Upanishads, “Om” is God in the form of sound.

The meaning of “Om” or “Aum” is considered in different teachings with some differences, but there is certainly much in common in these approaches.

The letter “A” is understood as the beginning of something, birth (adimatva). The letter “U” stands for development, movement, transformation (utkarsha). The letter “M” represents destruction, decay (miti). Within this view of the meaning of the sacred sign “Aum,” there is a common view that it is special energy (God), controlling the regular processes of creation, development, and destruction of the universe.

The entire sign symbolizes the Creator with his creations, and each of the letters stands for masculine, feminine, and neuter.

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The sign “Om” is also understood in terms of time – past, present, and future. The symbol itself implies a Creator who is outside of time.

It is also worthwhile to understand the sacred symbol as the teachings of the mother, the father, and the guru. And in general, it means the knowledge of one’s self, the realization of inner divinity.

The letter “A” is interpreted as vak (speech), “U” as manas (mind), and “M” as prana (breath of life). The holistic symbol represents the living spirit, which is part of the divine spirit. Within this approach, too, the three letters can be interpreted as length, width, and height, and the symbol implies the Force, cosmic energy, God, not limited to form and size.

So, “Om” has a triple symbolism. In addition to the above examples, it also manifests itself in such equivalents:

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• qualities (gunas) – rajas (energy), sattva (purity), tamas (ignorance);
• Man – body, soul, spirit;
• deities – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, etc.

To understand all the greatness of this symbol, one must have religious knowledge and be imbued with the sacredness of the sign.

Where and how the OM symbol is used

The sign (sound) “OM” is used in different countries, in different religions and practices: in meditations, in rituals, in yoga, at the beginning of sacred texts and mantras.

This wonderful symbol was even used by such celebrities of world culture: George Harrison: placed the sign on some covers of his albums; “The Beatles” (they sang the mantra in the chorus of one of their songs); and in the famous movie “The Matrix”, the divine mantra, you can hear in one of the songs.

What does the sign of “Om” look like?

Visually, the sign “Om” looks like a ligature in the Sanskrit alphabet, consisting of the letters “A”, “U”, and anuswara pronounced as “M”.

In Sanskrit, “Om” is a single letter, and graphically the symbol is represented from a combination of three letters, above which a crescent moon with a dot on top can be seen. As Sri Vinoba Bhave states, both the Sanskrit word “Aum” and the Latin “Omne” have the same root. They express omnipresence and omnipotence, and can be translated as “so be it,” “truly.” In addition, there are at least 19 other meanings of this syllable.

The Mysterious Hindu Om Symbol And Its Meaning

 In Indian culture, Aum or Om is a very sacred sound. It is a spiritual Hindu symbol often associated with the Gods. Before the beginning of any auspicious activity in Hinduism, Hindu people prefer saying Om.

It is believed that saying Om or Aum helps redefine the aura and positively impact the mind, body, and soul. However, it is necessary to note that Om isn’t used only by the Hindus but is significantly used in Jainism and Buddhism.

What does the Om Symbol mean in Hinduism?

In Hinduism, Om is one of the most spiritual symbols. It is said that chanting Om can radiate positive vibrations, which will further eradicate negative feelings.

In Hindu mythology and culture, Om stands for atman or the soul, which is the universe’s ultimate truth. It is the divine knowledge and cosmic spirit. Om is one of those syllables found not only in the Vedas but also in Upanishads and all holy Hindu texts.

It is a spiritual incantation that is sacred and holy. Om is recited before and after the readings of the holy Hindu texts. Apart from that, Om is also used during Pujas and private prayers. Apart from religious activities, Om is also chanted during yoga.

The Hindu symbol or syllable of Om is also known as Pranava, Omkara, or Ankara. Hence, in Hinduism, Om stands for the ultimate truth of the universe, which is the sound that gave birth to the universe. It is also known as the root mantra.

History of the Om Symbol

Other words used to describe Om are known as Akshara or Eksara. The om syllable connotes the beginning of the female divine energy.

The word Om had first been used in the Upanishads, one of Vedanta’s most important texts. Om is often related to the divine sound or the cosmic sound, something that is the mystic syllable and acts as the “affirmation to something divine.” All the spiritual concepts of the Upanishads are related to the Hindu symbol Om.

Om has constantly found its mention in the old layers of the Vedantic texts. The Sama Veda or the poetical Veda considers Om to be the audible sound that is the source of the numerous variations and acts to extract the musical meters from it.

The syllable Om revolves or finds its origin across many abstract ideas of the Upanishads. Various scholars have considered Om to be a “tool for meditation” and also state how this syllable can help to uplift the mind of those meditating from the artificial and senseless world to that of the “highest concepts such as the cause of the Universe, essence of life, Brahman, Atman, and self-knowledge.”

Om and Hindu Gods

There’s a whole new concept of Om in the Puranas, which is expanded to their theistic sects. According to the Vayu Purana, Om stands as the representation for the Hindu Gods, the Trimurti.

Om and Trimurti

In Indian culture, the Trimurti is the union of three Gods. Since Om is also known as AUM- A stands for Brahma, U stands for Vishnu, while M stands for Shiva. The three sounds echo the Vedas’ sounds, suggestively, Rigveda, Samaveda, and Yajur Veda accordingly.

Om has always been associated with Lord Shiva. As per the belief of Hindus, Shiva is Om and Om is Shiva.

Om and Brahma

The Vedas offer a different insight into the Vedic texts. The Brahmana layer of the Vedic texts starts Bhur-bhuvah-shah with Om. The Bhur-bhuvah-shah symbolizes the whole Veda. The Brahmanical layers of Veda bring different meanings of Om.

The sound of Om is said to be the vibration that created the world. It further relates to the Hindu belief that God Brahma’s thoughts started the vibration, which eventually turned into Om. Hence, Om is suggested to be related to the creation of God.

Om or Pranava refers to the control of one’s life force. Many Hindus adorn the jewelry featuring Om, reminding them that it is necessary to breathe and focus. Om is considered to be a peaceful symbol that is essential for yoga and meditation. Changing Om helps to calm the mind and also rejuvenates the body.

Om and Ganesha

Om stands as a representation of the Hindu God, Ganesha, as it is a loose representation of elephant form. The curve on the symbol’s left stands for the head and belly. However, the curve on the right stands for the trunk for Ganesha.

Worshipping Ganesha will eventually help to remove obstacles and stands in correlation to Ohm. One must get over the struggles for reaching the absolute stage.

Is Om a religious symbol?

It is necessary to note that Om is not only a symbol but more than that. Since it is a sacred symbol, it is considered problematic and disrespectful to place this symbol near the Hindu faith’s feet or private parts.

Om is indeed a religious symbol and needs to be bestowed accordingly. Om is an essential Sanskrit mantra that is found in different religions.

Why is OM so important?

Om is the sound of the universe. It acts as the essence of reality and is used for signifying the ultimate truth. It is said that Om unifies everything in the universe.

Om is an embodiment of the divine energy and three major components that stand for liberation, preservation, and creation. Chanting the mantra can help to bestow a creative power that is ultimately spiritual. Chanting Om helps to practice mindfulness. It is the rhythmic pronunciation that has calming effects on the body.

Music of Om

The vibrations produced from changing Om can have a significant positive impact on the body. As stated earlier, chanting Om will have a deep impact on physical and mental health. Furthermore, it has deep spiritual powers that help to symbolize purity.

When one chants the music of Om, the vibrations will be felt throughout the body. This holy mantra can indeed have several benefits. Many have developed Om therapy because of the positive effects, which are further used for treating different diseases.

• Chanting Om gives you a sense of detachment from the world, which plays an important role in releasing tensions and worries.
• Regularly chanting Om gives you peace of mind and helps form a pious connection, further enabling you to fight anxiety and depression.
• Many research has shown that chanting Om can help to strengthen the spinal cord. However, to get this benefit, it is necessary to practice chanting Om under proper guidance.
• Chanting Om helps to regulate blood flow and relieves hypertension. It helps to normalize breathing, respiration, and heartbeat.
• Music of Om can play an important role in boosting sleep. It is necessary to chant Om regularly so that you can have a sound sleep.

How is OM used on the day today?

Om is used for chanting during yoga. In yoga, om chanting begins at the beginning of the class. The meditation mat is laid out, and Om chants begin to transcend into the reality of time and space. However, Om chanted at the end of a class signifies that the practice has ended and it is time to come back to reality.

Most people prefer chanting Om in groups so that it can unify and create a sense of community. As you keep chanting, you get to feel vibrations on your own. This helps you feel one with you and your classmates. It also helps you become one with the universe.

As far as vibration is concerned, chanting Om can be helpful. Before the beginning of any religious practice or Puja, people sit in groups and chant Om.

The 4 Parts of Om

Om is divided into different sections. While the four stands for AUM_, the fourth point is not actually a sound.

Om usually stands for the four states of human consciousness. From the modern and ancient eras, Yogis believe that the world begins and is sustained and destroyed. The one sound is related to the beginning of supreme reality. Om is the symbol of what is, what was and what it shall be.

The four states of human consciousness reflected through Om include the following:

Waking state

The waking state or A of Aum stands for Jagrat. In this situation, consciousness is reflected in that of the outer or external world. It is all about experiencing the overall materials with the help of the senses. The waking state helps to maintain the consciousness of emotional and mental health.

Dream state

The Dream State or U of Aum stands for Swapna. Svapna literally translates to dream. In the dream state, one is turned to the inner world. In this state, the mind can fulfill all its desires, wishes, and attractions, even those wishes that cannot work out in the external or real world.

Deep Sleep State

The deep sleep state is the M of Aum, and it stands for the unconscious state or Prajna. In this state, one has no desire or dream sequence. It is the state in which the impressions of the mind are sowed like seeds. If the conditions are met, these actions may either turn to the dream State or eventually become a reality of actions in the waking state.

Pure consciousness

Pure consciousness is the final stage of Aum or the ‘_’ part. It is also referred to as turya. In this state, one is neither conscious towards the out or the in. It is the amalgamation of the previous three states. In the Turya stage, one begins to observe the panorama of consciousness or define the different levels of it being played.

Why do we chant Om 108 times?

In the Hindu culture, one can observe the chanting of Om around 108 times. It is considered to be a holy practice. The number 108, when observed individually, stands for 1, 0, and 8. It reflects that there’s nothing and eventually everything (8 signifying infinity) in the universe. 108 is indeed the ultimate reality of the universe, something for which the Chant Aum stands.

108 signifies one, emptiness and infinite. In Hinduism and yoga practices, 108 is considered to be a sacred and holy number. The males, prayer beads also have 108 beads. The mala is used for chanting mantras repeatedly. Many devout believers keep the mala and chant the mantra throughout the day to gain peace and ultimate Shanti.

108 also finds its importance in the Vedic culture. It is considered as the state of wholeness of existence in the Vedic culture. The numbers are also associated with the solar bodies, especially, Sun, Moon, and Earth. How? If you calculate the sun’s distance and the moon from the earth, the outstanding result is 108 times in respect to the diameters (of the moon and the sun).

Furthermore, as per the Yogic tradition, India has 108 pithas or sacred and religious places. A body has 108 religious or sacred places. Moreover, in Hinduism, there are 108 mantras and 108 Upanishads.

What is the most powerful Hindu mantra?

The Gayatri Mantra is regarded as the holiest and the most powerful Hindu mantra. It is believed that the Gayatri Mantra invokes Brahma or the principle of knowledge and leads to the primordial Sun.

It is regarded to be the most representative way of prayer in Hinduism. In many Hindu households, this mantra is recited daily. It is said that chanting this mantra can promote a spiritual feeling, and imbibing and dwelling sound will eventually have a positive impact.

The Gayatri Mantra is taken from the 10th verse of Hymn 62 from Book III of Rig Veda.

Conclusion

Om or Aum is discussed in several religious Hindu texts. In the Mandukya Upanishad, it brings out the concept of one, which is considered significant. However, in the Puranas, the syllable is kept together for sectarian use.

If you want to feel Om’s vibrations and the power of the universe, you need to chant it aloud every morning. Not only will it be a great start to your day but also a significant yogic practice that will help you move further in life.

What Is OM: Its Meaning, Symbol & Chanting Benefits

What Is OM?

OM is a Sanskrit syllable ॐ, holds the vastness of comprising a sound that pervades the whole universe. In the mantras perspective, OM is a bija or seed mantra.

As a seed mantra, OM is usually used in the activation of the crown chakra and at the beginning (prefix) on the Saguna mantra (sound with meaning, form & a manifestation). By this fact of giving birth to a Saguna mantra, OM is also considered a Nirguna (unmanifest i.e. beyond 3 gunas).

Some example of saguna mantras which stems from OM are:

• om shanti shanti shanti om
• om namah shivay
• om gan ganpataye namah

In nutshell: ‘OM’ is the prana that you keep on breathing, whatever you see or able to perceive, your consciousness and its depth. The source of the very first vibration of the entire universe is ‘OM’.

 

OM Meaning & Interpretations 

Literally, as OM is nirguna (attributeless) it can’t have a certain meaning. But for the purpose of interpretations, OM can be elaborated in different ways.  

Syllable ‘OM’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Omkara (ओंकार)‘. It is also called ‘Pranava‘ in Sanskrit, which means ‘Bow to the divine to the folded hands’. It’s the representation of the ultimate reality of the universe. 

In Hinduism, om means:

• Atman ( soul, oneself) 
• Brahman (truth, divine, supreme, etc)
• Union of 3 gods or 3 gunas 

Origin and History

How someone can find the origin of something, which in itself is the origin of everything? This same applies to the OM.

However, ‘OM’ has been first mentioned in the Upanishads (ancient Sanskrit texts of spiritual teaching and ideas of Hinduism).

‘Vayu Purana‘ has compared OM to the trinity of Hinduism, which represents the union of the three gods.

• A for the Brahma – The creator
• U for the Vishnu – The preserver
• and M for shiva – The destroyer.

These three sounds also symbolize one of the sacred ancient texts called Vedas (Rigveda, Samveda, and Yajurveda).

Manduka Upanishads stated about the syllable OM, in the sense of initiator of the universe. Before the beginning of the universe, Brahmaa (absolute reality) was the single entity. Their thought to become many has given birth to the very first vibration, which further turns into the sound. Therefore, This sound came to be known as the syllable OM.

Upanishad Perspective of OM

In mandukya Upanishad, sages have said OM is a tool that can lead you to the ultimate reality of the self. According to this literature, a person has 3 dimensions of perception:

1. Waking & waker’s world – Physical world that we perceive through 5 senses
2. Dreaming & dreamer’s world – Inner thoughts or that we perceive in a dreaming state through virtual senses
3. Deep sleep & darkness – Seeking the causes or the experience of nothingness that we perceive in deep sleep

In these 3 dimensions, there is an undisturbed or pure consciousness that experiences all but still unaffected from its consequences. This is the 4th dimension of our existence, called true-self.

The sound of OM also comprises these 4 dimensions of our existence in a hidden form.

1. The sound of “Ahhh” (A) – Represents the waking state of our existence
2. Sound of “Ouuu” (U) – Represents the dreaming state of our existence
3. & The sound of “Mmmm” (M) – Represents the deep sleep state of our existence

In order to realize the true-self, the sound of OM (AUM) comprises “a silence” at the end of Mmmm sound which transcends all 3 dimensions of self. So by repetitive chanting of OM, one can realize the true-self lies within the self.

This is the reason why the sound of OM is considered Atman (soul within) or Brahman (ultimate reality) or the sound of God. In favor of this, Patanjali introduced OM in yoga sutras as:

His word is Om.
YSP 1.27

4 Parts of the OM Symbol

Symbol of OM holds the knowledge of the universe in its structure. You will be surprised to know that the ultimate goal of one’s life is hidden in the symbol of OM.

When OM analyzed structurally, it has 4 parts:

• 3 curve structures
• 1 crescent structure
• 1 dot.

1. Three Curves of the OM

• First or the lower curve represents the waking state or ‘jagrati‘. This state broadened the consciousness to come out through the senses. The larger size of the curve signifies the majority or the common state among the human’s consciousness.
• Second or the middle curve represents the dreaming state or ‘swapna‘ (the state between the deep sleep and waking state). This state brings the consciousness of the practitioner inwards. By closing the eye, practitioner dive within to know the self from more closely.
• Third or the upper curve represents the deep sleep or unconscious state or ‘sushupti‘. In this state, the practitioner does not desire or dream anything.

2. A dot at the Top

Fourth or the dot represents the turiya. In this state of consciousness, the practitioner gazes neither inwards nor outwards, or the two together. However, this state brings the practitioner to the rest or peaceful or blissful state, which is the ultimate aim of all spiritual activity. This state also illuminates the other three states.

3. A Semicircle Between Curves & Dot

The semicircle signifies the barrier between the state of ultimate bliss and the rest three states. It prevents us from reaching the highest form of bliss. However, the gap between the semicircle and the dot represents that the highest state (dot) is unaffected by the Maya (semicircle).

So, in this way OM untwists the hidden mystery of the purpose of life and the universe.

Elemental Sound in OM

‘OM’ is the mother vibration of the universe, which refers to the Atman (ourself, soul) and Brahman (supreme truth, the initiator, the ultimate reality, divine aspect). The sound of OM on pronouncing has three parts. All have their specific meaning and significance.

1. Ah

‘Ah’ is the sound that comes when we begin the utterance of ‘OM’. This represents the first lord Brahama, who is known for the ‘creation’ of the universe. It’s concerned with the waking state and connects our gross conscious to the lower part of the body.

2. Ooh

‘Ooh’ is the middle sound, in which the practitioner dive into the deepness of self. This represents the second lord Vishnu, who is responsible for the ‘preservation’ of the universe. It is concerned with the dreaming state and connects our subtle consciousness to the middle part of the body.

3. Mm

‘Mm’ is the releasing sound. It’s fade away and takes the practitioner toward the supreme. This represents the third lord Shiva, who is known as the ‘destroyer’ of the universe. It is concerned with the deep sleep state and connects our casual consciousness to the upper part of the body.

Why Do We Chant OM?

Basically, the tongue is being used to produce all other sounds or vocals. When we chant OM, three sounds (Aa, Ooh & Mm) are produced very clearly through the mouth without moving tongue.  So, OM is the basic or the fundamental sounds in existence.

Human internal organs are very sensitive to the vibration produced by 3 sounds of syllable OM.

OM is the source of creation & by chanting it, we show our gratitude to that source power. According to modern science, the whole existence is reverberation. Wherever is a vibration, there is a sound and wherever is sound, there is creation.
For example, television has three color webs from which it produces millions of colors. Similarly, these three basic sounds of OM produces a variety of expression on a specific combination.

Sound ‘Aa’ is the basic sound not only in India but all across the world. Uttering of it starts from the roots of the energy body or beneath the naval, where 72,000 nadis (subtle energy channels) meet. This is the maintenance center or called the Manipura chakra in yoga. As you utter ‘Aa’ the Nadis reverberates the vibrations across the whole body. If you utter Ooh and Mm, it spreads in a different way, for every sound some part of the body gets affected.

Every sound activates a certain dimension of your energy system. So, these three sounds as a combination activate the whole system of the body. Sound not only creates emotion but it changes the whole system of your body. Therefore, chanting OM is the science that could make life happen to you. This is about making life happen in the highest terms of intensity and beauty.

Benefits of Chanting OM

OM is the sound whose vibrations have a grasp on the entire universe. Chanting OM in mediation has innumerable benefits in the sense of physical, psychological and emotional levels. Regular uttering of this sacred syllable could be of paramount way to change one’s life forever.

Om Mantra: Meaning, Significance and Benefits

OM is not just a sound but the wave of the Universe. Om is said to be the first sound to be produced in the Universe, and thus chanting OM is supposed to bring many benefits to the native. The sound OM doesn’t have a meaning attached to it. What we mean is that just like every other word, say a flower or mountain, etc. has a meaning, one can’t associate a certain definition to the word OM. The meaning of “OM” (ॐ) is different for each and every one of us. Chanting the Om mantra in astrology is a sacred practice that helps the body and mind to feel energised and positive. The sound of Om is not only considered sacred in Hinduism but also holds a prominent place in other religions such as Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. As per these religions, the OM mantra connects all the individuals on the planet with the Universe or the supreme power that guides it.

Om Mantra Origin

The sound of OM is associated with the Big Bang. As per astrologers, OM had stemmed from the time when the Universe was coming into reality. Astrologers quote OM as the sound of the creator, which is made of three syllables ‘A,’ ‘U’ and ‘M’. The sound is special because, unlike other sounds that are produced after two objects strike together, OM, on the other hand, can produce vibration on its own. It is believed that when a person chants the OM mantra deeply, the vibration emanating from his or her body gets tuned with the soul, and unifies with the One who is beyond this Universe.

OM (ॐ) – Essence of ‘A’ ‘U’ ‘M’ Vibrations

In the Vedic texts and sculptors, OM is considered both as a sound and a symbol, with powers of its own. It is said to bring wisdom to the native, and when pronounced correctly, it leads to the spreading of hum throughout the body and soul of the native in the form of ‘AUM’ which are the elements of Om mantra in astrology.

A U M as per astrology represents the 3 basic fundamentals of life that are Creation, Preservation and Destruction. When one chants the Om mantra, each of these syllables brings out something or the other in the native.

• ‘A’ corresponds to waking up in the conscious state of mind called Jagrata.
• ‘U’ corresponds to the dream or unconscious state of mind called Svapna.
• ‘M’ meanwhile, corresponds to the deep or profound sleep called Sushupti.

The recitation of the Om Mantra with utmost devotion and pure heart can take the native on a spiritual voyage. The recitation of the OM mantra doesn’t only come with numerous physical benefits but also aids a native’s mental capability to relieve himself of stress and worries by aligning his consciousness with the universe. This is the only reason why OM forms the foundation of numerous mantras in astrology.

Astrological significance of chanting OM

As we said, the OM mantra is the essence of all other mantras, Vedas and rituals in astrology. In fact, if you go to look for it, you will find that mostly all the mantras begin with Om. Om mantra, sometimes also known as the Lord Shiv Mantra, is chanted across ceremonies such as marriage, mundan, while worshipping the deities, and more. The Om Mantra is also recited while meditating to align your thoughts with the heavenly energies.

As per astrologers, the Aum mantra has spiritual powers that ignite the sense of enlightenment in the native. The Aum mantra can be recited by anyone in order to rejuvenate or recharge. The mantra can be recited by anyone to understand the deeper meaning of life and attain peace and unburden oneself.

How to chant the OM mantra

Astrologers say that OM is also known as Pranava or Omkara in Vedic texts. Here, the word Pranava means the Sustainer of life, and Omkara stands for the beginning. Om as a word or mantra has a wide expectation as it is acknowledged by many religions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. It is also adopted as a significant part of Meditation or Yoga.

Millions of people perform OM Mantra chanting to have various benefits. However, only the ones that perform the chanting correctly can have the best of the Om mantra. Having said that, here is the correct way to recite or chant the OM mantra as per the astrologer.

The correct way of chanting the OM mantra

• To start with, close your eyes and sit cross-legged in a straight posture.
• Then slowly take a long breath, hold it for a second or two and exhale.
• With the next breath, start making an “Ooo” sound and stretch it halfway.
• Now while exhaling the air, bring your lips together to make the sound of “Mmmmm”. Stretch the sound as long as you can.

It has already been mentioned that OM mantra recitation produces different vibrations in your body that reaches from head to toe.

• The narration of ‘A’ produces an “AAA” vibration that is felt in the stomach, chest and spinal cord region.
• Meanwhile, chanting the syllable ‘U’ produces “OOO” vibrations. This vibration resonates in your chest. It also creates vibration in the throat and middle part of the body.
• Lastly, chanting the syllable ‘M’, produces the humming sound of “MMM” in the nasal and brain region. The vibration helps in healing the upper part of the body too.

This way, the cosmic energy of Om Mantra resonates through a person’s whole body hence refreshing it from within to bring positivity to your life.

Om Chanting benefits

As they say, Om is not just any sound but the sound of God. Om is the symbol of the supreme being, and thus reciting the same can give the narrator numerous benefits, right from health to mental benefits. According to Vedic texts and numerous astrologers, here are some of the most noted benefits of Chanting OM as per astrology.

• The best benefit of Chanting the OM mantra is environmental purification. The mantra tends to purify the environment around you so as to help you create a positive atmosphere for yourself.
• Your bond with the universe – and thus its energies – tend to increase if you chant the OM mantra with devotion.
• Chanting the OM Mantra helps you concentrate better.
• As OM Mantra is said to have self-healing powers, the mantra not only energies you but also improves your immunity.
• The chanting of the OM Mantra produces a vibration in the vocal cord of the native. The vibrations open up the sinuses to clear the airways.
• The chanting of the OM mantra brings the native into the meditational state, which helps bring relaxation to the mind, body and soul.
• The chanting of the OM mantra not only benefits the native who chants it but also those around him as the vibration flows in all the directions.
• When you chant the OM mantra, you enter into a state of relaxation. The coating thus aids better heart activity and slows down your blood pressure. These are some of the cardiovascular benefits of chanting the OM mantra.
• Om chanting is a good exercise if you want to strengthen your vocal cords. It gives strength to the muscles around your vocal chord, which is very helpful during old age.
• Astrologers suggest that the native must rub his or her hands while chanting the OM mantra and keep on different parts of the body as doing so heals or activates those body parts.
• Through chanting the OM mantra, you form a firm control over your emotions. This helps the native have better control over his emotions. This is for someone who has anger issues or gets irritated easily.
• Regular chanting of the OM Mantra aids your spiritual journey to greater happiness and positivity. However, this shall only happen to those who chant the mantra regularly for a longer period of time with the correct techniques involved.
• One of the best ways to chant the OM mantra is in a group. When the mantra is chanted in a group, the effects of it are amplified, and this will produce immense positive vibrations.
• Believe it or not, it is a major belief among astrologers that chanting the OM mantra is healthy for the skin as it helps it cleanse it. The internal positive energy that the Mantra chanting creates in the native ends up reflecting externally with a sunny glow on your face and body.
• Another health benefit of chanting the OM Mantra is that it helps strengthen the spinal cord by creating the vibration sound of Aaaa.
• The sound uuu is created by vocal cords, which benefit the thyroid glands.
• Astrologers suggest that if you are in the spiritual eye while chanting the OM Mantra, your eyesight will start improving, which, honestly, is something we all need these days.

Om – The Embodiment of the Absolute Brahman

Omkaaram Bindu Samyuktam

Nityam Dhyaayanti Yogina:|

Kaamadam Mokshadam Chaiva

Omkaaraaya Namo Nama:||

The above verse is a part of the Shiva Shadakshara Stotram, the meaning of which is as follows:

“Salutations to the One who is United with the Omkara, the Source of All; the One on whom Yogis constantly meditate; and the One who grants Liberation from all desires. Salutations to that Shiva who is the Embodiment of the Omkaara, the very first syllable of the Shadakshara (six-lettered) Mantra, “Om-Na-Ma-Shi-Vaa-Ya”.

Om – Significance in Hinduism

Om, also written and pronounced as Aum, is considered by Hindus to be the mystical, primordial sound, which gave rise to the entire Universe. This view is also upheld by other related religious schools of thought, such as Buddhism and Jainism.

The symbol of Om is placed at the very beginning of most Hindu texts. In fact, many Hindus make a habit of writing down this syllable in every new page of a text or diary they maintain. The incantation of this sacred syllable is considered auspicious for undertaking any new venture. The sound of Om is intoned at the beginning of reading all major Hindu religious texts, including the Vedas. This sacred mantra is also chanted at the time of performing religious rites and rituals and is used to invoke the Gods to grace the event and partake of the offering.

Om – The Pranava Mantra

The Omkaara or the Aumkaara, which is the syllable of Om, is also referred to in Sanskrit as the Pranava mantra, or that which is literally “sounded out loudly”.

The Sanskrit word “Pranava” comes from the root, “nu”, which implies, “to shout” or “to sound”. “Pra-nu” is a verb, which means, “to make a droning or humming sound”. This is regarded as being the most powerful ekaakshara mantra, consisting of only one syllable.

The Taittiriya, Chandogya and Mandukya Upanishads talk about Om being the highest ever spiritual entity, attributed to the creation of the entire world. The “A-kara” here implies the existence of things with concrete form and shape, such as trees, earth and so on. “U-kara” signifies anything formless, such as ari, water, fire and so on. “M-kara”, on the other hands, implies things which neither have shape nor are shapeless and yet pervade the universe, such as cosmic energy. The combination of the three syllables forms the complete picture, the AUM, thus containing the whole universe within itself.

The sacred sound of Om encompasses the entire life of a Hindu, right from the minute he takes birth, to his last journey and rituals associated with that as well. That is again why it is referred to as the Pranava mantra; the one which encompasses Hindus’ every prana or life breath.

Om – The Primordial Sound

Om is a sign which veritably symbolizes Hindu philosophy and theology. According to Hinduism, this chant is the Primordial Sound, the one that created the entire Universe as we know it today.

Hindus believe that there was a state of Shunyaakaasha (literally meaning, “no sky”) or nothingness before creation began. This state does not mean that nothing existed. It merely implies the latent state of the universe before the process of creation was set into motion.

Once the process of creation commenced, the Brahman or the Supreme Consciousness assumed the form of the very first vibration, manifesting itself as the sound of “OM”. Hence, the vibration of “Om” represents the “Saguna Brahman” or the manifestation of God in physical form. “Om” also represents the absolute reality, and is “Adi Anaadi” in quality, meaning, it is without beginning or end and universally embraces all that is in existence.

The three-syllable mantra, “A-U-M” represents the three aspects of Creation, Preservation and Destruction, embodies by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively.

The Bhagavad Gita states that he who chants the mantra of Om, while constantly thinking of the Supreme Godhead, is bound to attain moksha in this lifetime. He who leaves his body while chanting this mantra is sure to reach the highest state of eternity.

In the Mandukya Upanishad

The Mandukya Upanishad, the shortest of the Upanishads (scriptures of the Hindu Vedanta), comprises just 12 verses and expounds the mystic quality of the Aum. It describes this sacred syllable as the symbol of three psychological stages of wakefulness, dreaming and sleeping, also explaining the fourth state of transcending all these three stages, proceeding towards illumination.

According to this Upanishad, there are 3 matras or syllables in the word “Aum”. Here, “A” represents the first state of wakefulness, wherein our five senses, along with our minds, remains completely active and sharply aware. The “U” symbolizes the dream state, which gives rise to deep inward experiences, thereby tapping the power of the largely dormant subconscious mind. The “M” represents the last state, the state of deep sleep, where desire no more exists and it is pure consciousness all around.

The Upanishad states that there is a fourth state which transcends all of the above-mentioned states. In this state, the consciousness is neither turned inward nor outward. It is neither knowing nor unknowing; neither visible nor invisible; and neither tangible nor intangible. It is nirguna or devoid of characteristics; is indefinable, indescribable and unintelligible. It is the pure essence of the consciousness of the Self or the Atman and represents the state where all relative existence comes to a standstill. This fourth and ultimate state is utterly serene, peaceful and blissful and grants the seeker complete enlightenment.

This Upanishad also considers “Om” as the eternal syllable which encompasses within itself, the past, the present and the future. Yet, it is also the entity that is detached from the above and is beyond time and space.

Further, the Mandukya Upanishad also describes Aum as the combination of three phonemes – “A” (Vaishvanara), “U” (Hiranyagarbha) and “M” (Ishwara) – which together represents the beginning, continuation and dissolution of the Universe, also respectively represented by the Hindu Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

According to Arya Samaj tradition, the Omkaara is considered as the name of God and could be translated as “I am Existence”.

In the Gayatri Mantra

Om Bhoor Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam|
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat||

The above is the Gayatri Mantra, which is considered to be the most sacred of Hindu mantras or chants. The Gayatri Mantra is made up of 24 syllables, including 24 beeja (root) aksharas, giving rise to a soothing, elevating effect on the consciousness of the practitioner. Interestingly, this mantra goes past being merely a physical chant and is actually a symbolic and metaphysical one.

The meaning of the Gayatri mantra is as follows:

Om is the Divine Light that illuminates the Bhu Loka (Physical Plane), the Bhuvar Loka (Astral Plane or the Antariksha) and the Suvar Loka (Celestial Plane or Swarga)
We contemplate and meditate upon that Savitr or Divine Radiance
May that Light enlighten our intellect and awaken our spiritual wisdom

Here, “Om” represents the Supreme Consciousness or the Atman or Brahman. Bhur, Bhuvah and Svah are the three planes of consciousness. Simply put, this prayer seeks to train the mind to develop wisdom and awareness, thereby enabling the individual’s consciousness to rise above the mundane world or the samsara. This chant also aims to teach the seeker to control his or her mind in order to develop the power to achieve whatever it conceives or believes.

In the Puranas

In the Puranas too, the syllable “Aum” represents the Divine Trinity, also symbolizing the Rigveda, Samaveda and Yajurveda respectively. The letter “A” represents Brahma’s golden nucleus, which gave rise to the entire creation. The letter “U” signifies the power of Vishnu, who balances and preserves the world, by balancing a lotus springing forth from his navel, having Brahma sitting on it. The letter “M” represents the final part of this cycle of creation, that is, dissolution. When Brahma falls asleep, Shiva comes into the scene, so as to disintegrate all living beings and absorb them unto himself.
The Puranas further state that Aum is the original sound and that all the other sounds, languages and mantras of the world have come forth from it.

Om in Other Philosophies

In Advaita

According to the philosophy propounded by the school of Advaita, the Aum represents a triune, which is quite a common occurrence in Hinduism. This philosophy states that in order to come out of our own world of maya or falsehood, we must go beyond the body, mind and intellect and understand our own infinite, limitless nature.

One hence needs not only to step back and see how existence really works, but one has to also become it, in order to attain a state of moksha of complete liberation. When the seeker realizes the truth, he or she becomes that knowledge and expands his or her consciousness to actually become it. Om is the embodiment of that ultimate truth which leads the seeker to Samadhi or salvation.

In Jainism and Buddhism

In Jainism, “Om” is that syllable which has been created from the initials of the five Parameshthis, namely, Arihant, Ashiri, Acharya, Upajjhaya and Muni. Hence, the chant, “Om Namah” is a shortened form of the Navkar Mantra.

Like Hindus, Buddhists also use “Om” in the beginning of their Vidya-Sadaksari, “Om Mani Padme Hum”, as also in their major mantras and dharanis. The bija mantra of “Aum” is regarded to be supremely sacred in Esoteric Buddhism.

In its original form, Buddhism in Nepal hinged heavily on mindfulness and meditation. At this point in time, there was no chanting of aum or any other mantra. But mantra chanting and the chanting of aum came into being with the advent of Tibetan Buddhism, which came under the influence of Hinduism.

In Sikhism

The term, “Ik Onkar” is popular in modern Punjabi and is also represented in the Guru Granth Sahib to denote the concept of “One God” in Sikhism. In the word “Onkar”, God is considered to be the “Omkar” or “Onkar” – the One who created “Om”.

In Sikhism, therefore, the word “Om” is used merely to denote its monotheistic character, without actually attaching a philosophy to itself.

Paramahamsa Yogananda Speaks about “Om”

The great Yoga teacher and spiritual leader, Swami Shri Paramahamsa Yogananda, speaks about Om or Aum. In his very popular work, “Autobiography of a Yogi”, the Swami talks about how Patanjali referred to aum as the Cosmic Sound which is often heard during meditation. He states that the vibratory sound of Aum is the indication of the Divine Presence and is the Supremely Creative Word.

The Power of Om in Our Daily Lives

The syllable of “Om” pervades the lives of all Hindus, actually becoming part and parcel of their lives. Devout Hindus start their everyday worship with the chant of this sacred mantra. Others prefer to write this at the head of all their letters and other written material – even sometimes in their examination papers. While most Hindus place the symbol in their personal prayer rooms, many also wear the sign as pendants.

During meditation, chanting of Om and concentrating on its drone helps the mind relax faster and focus better as well. The mind then stops being restless and comes within the seeker’s control, thereby enabling him to travel deep within himself and discover his own divine nature. This simple, yet profound, symbol signifies both the nirguna (unmanifest) and saguna (manifest) nature of the Supreme Brahman. 

In the modern world, the incantation of Om has become universal, crossing all geographical, religious, cultural and philosophical boundaries. The symbol of Om has emerged to become popular in contemporary body art and is used in tattoos as well. It has become a vehicle for spiritual seekers to attain a state of complete silence during meditation, so as to go within oneself and contemplate the inner self.

The philosophy of Om

In yoga philosophy, Om is considered a sacred syllable. “Like the Latin word ‘Omne’, the Sanskrit word ‘Om’ means ‘all’ and conveys concepts of ‘Omniscience’, ‘Omnipresence’ and ‘Omnipotence’” (BKS Iyengar, ‘Light on Yoga’, p. 445). Om is a sacred ‘mantra’. It is considered a universal sound, the seed of all words without reference to any specific religion or god. According to the Big Bang theory, Om is the cosmic sound that initiated the creation of the universe. This sacred syllable is not just one sound, it is actually three. The ‘Pranava’ (power) mantra comprises three syllables: ‘a’, ‘u’, ’m’, indicating the continuity of past, present and future. The Aum sound encompasses the masculine, feminine and neutral principles. It also addresses speech (‘vak’), mind (‘manas’) and breath (‘prana’) and alludes to the famous trinity of Indian cosmology, the creator (Brahma), the maintainer (Vishnu) and the destroyer (Shiva). By chanting Aum at the beginning of class or practice, the divinity within each of us is addressed, invited and called in.

When we perceive the sound of our own voice, we notice our own presence. Through sound, an invisible yet physical expression, we are closer to perceiving our true self and our true nature. We are never separate from sound; even if we can’t speak or hear we feel its physical vibration throughout our bodies. At the point of chanting Aum, there is no thought, no separation. Regular practice enhances a sense of centeredness. It is also said that while chanting Aum, the syllable is the target and our attention becomes focused on one point (‘Ekagrata’). Like holding the bow and using the Self as the arrow, chanting gives us a clear sense of direction and focus. It is the beginning of the inward journey and thus the beginning of the class and of practice.

The science behind Aum The effects of chanting Aum at the beginning of each class go beyond the philosophical realm. It is well recognised that sound is a powerful tool for healing and can have profound effects. The ancient yogis knew and practised many methods that are now becoming accepted by the scientific community. One of these is the chanting of mantras. Mantras are syllables that exert an influence or effect through sound vibrations that resonate on specific parts of the body. Different syllables vibrate at different sound frequencies and so they will resonate with certain organs and parts of the body. The human hearing range is 20Hz to 20KHz. Aum vibrates at 432 Hz, which is quite low within our hearing range. This means that the sound wave is longer and its frequency of vibration slower than a high-pitch sound at, let’s say, 15KHz. The physical result of this is that these sound waves will affect bigger surface areas. At a physical level, the Aum syllable addresses the whole of the human sound instrument: we open the mouth (‘a’), move the lips closer to each other (‘u’) and then close the mouth (‘m’). This activates the larynx fully. ‘A’ resonates in the stomach and chest, ‘u’ in the throat and chest and ‘m’ in the nasal cavity, skull and brain. By chanting Aum we move the energy from the abdomen up to the brain. Those of us who chant Aum daily before our practice, feel how it helps us to calm our mind and clear our thoughts.

Specific scientific research

Modern technology, such as sound spectrum analysis and brain imaging technology, has made it possible to analyse the structure and quality of soundwaves produced by chanting, as well as the physiological responses induced by the repetition of the Aum sound. Separate research studies were carried out on volunteers who have never chanted before. The recordings and the sound waves were analysed before and after some weeks of chanting Aum on a regular basis. The soundwaves of those who had never done any chanting showed irregular patterns, indicative of unsteadiness of breath and more restless minds. By contrast, the soundwaves recorded after a period of regular chanting were smooth, evenly spaced and harmonic, a clear indication of more regular breathing. There was an increased connection between the breath and mind, which resulted in an improved sense of calmness.1

In another experiment, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans (f-MRI scans) were used to analyse the brain and measure the response of the nervous system during and after the Aum mantra chanting. It’s findings showed that the regular chanting of Aum can be effective in the treatment of depression & epilepsy.2 Other studies have revealed that regular Aum chanting can help lower high blood pressure.3 Other effects of chanting Aum regularly are improved concentration and a reduction in stress levels.4 Modern technology and science confirm what ancient yogis knew about the healing power of Aum. So much in just one sound.

Om, Aum, Pranava or Nada in Mantra and Yoga Traditions

The syllable Om In actual practice it is rarely chanted in isolation and mostly in association with other mantras, prayers, names of gods and goddesses, either as a suffix or a prefix, under the belief that doing so would enhance their potency, vibrancy, sanctity and purity. According to Mantrayoga Samhita, Om by itself has no potency if it is chanted by someone who has not been initiated on the spiritual path by a guru. It remains ineffective as a vehicle of self-realization, unless it is personally imparted by an enlightened master (guru) to an initiate as a part of a seed (bija) mantra. A similar view is held by some modern sects like the Rahdasaomi Satsang. The Taittirya Samhita describes its use and significance in the Vedic rituals in the following manner:

“Aum is Brāhman. Aum is all. Aum, this verily, is compliance. on uttering, ‘recite’, they recite. With Aum, they sing the saman chants. With Aum, som, they recite the prayers. With Aum the Advaryu priest utters the response. With Aum one assents to the offering to fire. Withy Aum a Brāhmana begins to recite, may I obtain Brāhman; thus wishing, Brāhman, verily, does he obtains.”

The origin of Om or Aum

There are many theories regarding the origin of the syllable Om. Max Mueller proposed that it might have been derived from an ancient word “Avam”, which was used in prehistoric times in the sense of “that” to refer to distant objects. According to Swami Sankarananda, the word might have been derived from “Soma”, the name of an important deity who is mentioned in the Vedas frequently and with whom many esoteric rituals are associated. The word is also linked to the sound of breath and a subtle and high potency universal vibration which can be heard internally in the subtle planes as a deep sound (pranava nada) by the adepts all the time. It is possible that the word might have been integrated into Vedic religion from some ascetic tradition of ancient India. The Chandogya Upanishad narrates how the syllable Aum issued forth from Brahma as he brooded upon the worlds he created in the initial stages of creation. From his brooding first emerged the threefold knowledge (trayi vidya) and then the syllables bhur, bhuvah and suvah. When he brooded upon them (bhur, bhuvah and suvah), the syllable Aum issued forth from them. Thus symbolically, Aum represents the entire creation manifested in the three planes, namely the earth, the mid region and the heaven.

Historical development

The word Om is not mentioned directly in the earliest hymns of the Rigveda, but it is mentioned in the other Vedas and several Upanishads associated with them. Initially, in the early Vedic period, because of the sanctity associated with it, the word was kept as a secret and never uttered in public. It was used in private conversations and passed on from teacher to disciple or father to son directly and in secrecy. It was also not used in the rituals. Because it was not permitted to use the word directly, some early Upanishads referred to it indirectly as the udgita (upsound) or pranava (calling out), alluding to its significance in regulated breathing and religious chanting respectively. Other expressions used in the scriptures in reference to it are vācaka (symbol), tārāka (crossing) and akshara (imperishable word). It is also described as Brāhman in sound form (Sabda Brāhman). In the Bhagavadgita Lord Krishna declares that of the utterances He is the monosyllable Aum.

Pranava and Udgita

In the Vedic scriptures, the word is mentioned for the first time openly in the first hymn of the Shukla (white) Yajurveda. Some believe this may be a later day interjection, since in the Taittiriya Samhita (5.2.8) of the White Yajurveda, it is sill mentioned indirectly as a divine quality (deva lakshna) having three modes of expression (tri-alikhita), an expression that is commonly associated with Aum. We find increasing references to it in many Upanishads that were composed in the Post Rigvedic period such as Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Taittiriya and Mandukya Upanishads. These Upanishads draw its symbolic significance by associating it with the Universal Self or Supreme Brāhman. They directly refer to it as Om, Aum, Udgita, Pranava and Omkara. In some verses of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Om is used as an affirmation in the sense of “Yes I agree.” The Chandogya Upanishad (section 3) informs the various ways in which udgita can be meditated and the benefits arising from them. It declares that by meditating upon it one can dispel darkness and fear, gain strength, become rich in food and gain immortality. In some verses it equates Aum with the space (akasa).

Patanjali’s Yogasutra states that Isvara (the Self) is expressed as Pranava . Its continuous chanting (japa) would lead to the mastery of the right knowledge and removal of interruptions (antarayas) which arise in the form of distractions (vikshepas) such as disease and dullness. Yoga tradition holds that chanting of the word continuously would bring many benefits, such as purification of the mind, the body and the environment, removal of the sins, equanimity of the mind, removal of desires, delusion and attachment and attainment of all the four aims of human life, namely obligatory duty(dharma), wealth (artha), pleasure (kama) and liberation (moksha).

Aum and Om in the Upanishads

Both the major and minor Upanishads repeatedly mention the symbolic and spiritual significance of Aum or Om and recommend meditation upon it as the means to achieve the state of Brāhman. Descriptions of aum in various major and minor Upanishads are mentioned below.

The Mandukya Upanishad

In the Vedic literature we find a gradual evolution of Aum from Om. The word aum was used for the first time in the Mandukya Upanishad to explain Brāhman as the only and the ultimate reality, a concept that became the basis subsequently for the emergence of Advaita Vedanta or the philosophy of monism. Gaudapada expounded this philosophy through his commentary on the Upanishads whcih is known as Mandukya Karika.

In its very opening verse, the Mandukya Upanishad describes the significance of Aum in which it declares Omkara as everything (idam sarvam), the past, the present and the future and also whatever there is beyond the threefold time. As the ultimate Brāhman it has four quarters, the waking state (jagrata) presided by Vaisvanara (universal man), the dream state (svapna) presided by taijasa (illumined being), deep sleep state (susupta) presided by prajna (intelligent being) and the transcendental state (turiya) presided by the individual Self (atman) which in reality is but Brāhman Himself.

We can see these four states being represented in the syllable AUM. The waking state is represented by the first letter A, the dream state by the second letter U, the deep sleep state by the third letter M and the fourth state (Self) by the syllable AUM itself. Like Patanjali, Gaudapada equates Aum with Isvara and suggests that by worshipping Him as Aum we will transcend suffering.

The fourfold nature of Aum is also represented truthfully in the symbol of Aum, which consists of four curves and one circle. The four curves represent the four states of consciousness and the circle represent the Self. The lower curve represents the waking state, the middle curve the dream state, the upper curve the deep sleep state, the semi circle detached from these three represent the transcendental state while the circle above all is the witnessing Self or the Supreme Self. Symbolism of Aum is depicted in the diagram above.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

The Briahadaranyaka Upanishad begins with the word Aum. In some verses it refers to it as udgita and declares the proper way to chant it is in conjunction with speech and with deep upper breath (or inhalation in which the chest is pulled up). The Chandogya Upanishad suggests, in the form of a story (section 2), the best way to meditate upon the udgita in order to stabilize the mind. It begins with how the gods tried various methods in vain to meditate upon the udgita and how they were disturbed victoriously in various ways by the demons, till the gods found the right method to meditate upon it as the breath. When the gods began meditating in this manner, the demons tried to disturb them and were instantly destroyed as if they hit themselves against a solid rock. In the next section (3.7) of the Upanishad we find the threefold symbolism of the udgita, “Heaven (dyaur) is ut, atmosphere (antarisksham) is gi and earth (prithvi) is tha. The sun is ut, the air gi and the fire tha. The Samaveda is ut, the Yajurveda gi and the Rigveda, tha.” To dispel any doubt we may have as to the true meaning of udgita, the Upanishad emphatically states, “Now verily, what is the udgita is the Aum. What is Aum is the udgita.“

In The Maitri upanishad

The Maitri upanishad (4.22) explains how we can attain non-sound (asabda) through the sound (sabda) by meditating upon Aum in different ways. In one method, moving upward by it one ascends to the non-sound and becomes immortal. According to another method, by closing the ears with the thumbs one can hear the sound of the space within the heart in seven different ways, namely the sound of a flowing river, the sound of a moving wheel, the sound of bell, of a brass vessel, the croaking of frogs, the sound of rain and the sound of speech. He who hears these different sounds within himself will ultimately merge with the supreme non-sound and become immortal. Thus, with the help of sabda (sound) Brāhman he attains para (supreme) Brāhman. The Upanishad also describes the end of meditation on Aum as the state which is tranquil, soundless, fearless, without sorrow (asokam), blissful, satisfied, steadfast, unmoving, immortal, unshaking, enduring and which is comparable to Vishnu because it is both lower and higher than everything and also soundless and void. This state is attained by using the body as the bow, Aum as the arrow, the mind as its point and darkness as the mark. When darkness is pierced with the arrow of Aum one reaches that which is not enveloped in darkness where Brāhman sparkles like a wheel of fire, of the color of sun, full of vigor and beyond darkness

The Atharvasikha Upanishad

The Atharvasikha Upanishad suggests that meditation has to be done on the single letter Om because it is in itself the mantra for meditation. Its four legs are the four devas and the four Vedas while the syllable itself is equal to Para Brāhman (Ultimate reality). It states, “The five gods Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Ishwara and Shiva should be worshipped in the form of pranava (Aa + Uu+ Ma + half sound + Bindu.)” Aum is known as “pranava” because it makes everyone bow before it and as Omkara because it sends forth the currents of the life-force upward. The Upanishad identifies the constituent sounds of the syllable Aum with Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, and Brāhman, and explains their symbolism in the following manner.

• The sound a represents the earth, the hymn of praise (ric), Rigveda, Brahma, the eight deities known as Vasus, the sacred Gayatri mantra, the garhyapatya fire, the color of red and dedicated to Brahma.
• The sound u refers to the atmosphere (antariksha), the sacrificial formula known as Yajus, the Yajurveda, god Vishnu, the atmospheric deities known as Rudras, the meter trishtbhu, the dakshina fire, brightness, and dedicated to Rudra.
• The sound m represents heaven, the sacred chant saman, the Samaveda, god Vishnu, the 12 solar deities known as Adityas, the meter jagati, the ahavaniya fire, the color black and dedicated to Vishnu.
• The nasalized half part of the sound m which is let out while chanting Aum is described as the Atharvan chants, the Atharvaveda, the fire of universal destruction, the wind gods known as Maruts, the universal Virat, lightning like, multicolored and dedicated to Brāhman or Purusha.

Aum in the Tantras and the minor Upanishads

The syllable Om^, also known as Aum and Pranava, is the most sacred symbol of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism. It is used both as a symbol and as a sound in religious worship, ritual chanting, performance of sacraments and rituals, yoga and tantra. In Hinduism it is venerated as Brāhman in the form of word (askshara) and sound (sabda). In actual practice it is rarely chanted in isolation and mostly in association with other mantras, prayers, names of gods and goddesses, either as a suffix or a prefix, under the belief that doing so would enhance their potency, vibrancy, sanctity and purity. According to Mantrayoga Samhita, Om by itself has no potency if it is chanted by someone who has not been initiated on the spiritual path by a guru. It remains ineffective as a vehicle of self-realization, unless it is personally imparted by an enlightened master (guru) to an initiate as a part of a seed (bija) mantra. A similar view is held by some modern sects like the Rahdasaomi Satsang. The Taittirya Samhita describes its use and significance in the Vedic rituals in the following manner:

“Aum is Brāhman. Aum is all. Aum, this verily, is compliance. on uttering, ‘recite’, they recite. With Aum, they sing the saman chants. With Aum, som, they recite the prayers. With Aum the Advaryu priest utters the response. With Aum one assents to the offering to fire. Withy Aum a Brāhmana begins to recite, may I obtain Brāhman; thus wishing, Brāhman, verily, does he obtains.”

The origin of Om or Aum

There are many theories regarding the origin of the syllable Om. Max Mueller proposed that it might have been derived from an ancient word “Avam”, which was used in prehistoric times in the sense of “that” to refer to distant objects. According to Swami Sankarananda, the word might have been derived from “Soma”, the name of an important deity who is mentioned in the Vedas frequently and with whom many esoteric rituals are associated. The word is also linked to the sound of breath and a subtle and high potency universal vibration which can be heard internally in the subtle planes as a deep sound (pranava nada) by the adepts all the time. It is possible that the word might have been integrated into Vedic religion from some ascetic tradition of ancient India. The Chandogya Upanishad narrates how the syllable Aum issued forth from Brahma as he brooded upon the worlds he created in the initial stages of creation. From his brooding first emerged the threefold knowledge (trayi vidya) and then the syllables bhur, bhuvah and suvah. When he brooded upon them (bhur, bhuvah and suvah), the syllable Aum issued forth from them. Thus symbolically, Aum represents the entire creation manifested in the three planes, namely the earth, the mid region and the heaven.

Historical development

The word Om is not mentioned directly in the earliest hymns of the Rigveda, but it is mentioned in the other Vedas and several Upanishads associated with them. Initially, in the early Vedic period, because of the sanctity associated with it, the word was kept as a secret and never uttered in public. It was used in private conversations and passed on from teacher to disciple or father to son directly and in secrecy. It was also not used in the rituals. Because it was not permitted to use the word directly, some early Upanishads referred to it indirectly as the udgita (upsound) or pranava (calling out), alluding to its significance in regulated breathing and religious chanting respectively. Other expressions used in the scriptures in reference to it are vācaka (symbol), tārāka (crossing) and akshara (imperishable word). It is also described as Brāhman in sound form (Sabda Brāhman). In the Bhagavadgita Lord Krishna declares that of the utterances He is the monosyllable Aum.

Pranava and Udgita

In the Vedic scriptures, the word is mentioned for the first time openly in the first hymn of the Shukla (white) Yajurveda. Some believe this may be a later day interjection, since in the Taittiriya Samhita (5.2.8) of the White Yajurveda, it is sill mentioned indirectly as a divine quality (deva lakshna) having three modes of expression (tri-alikhita), an expression that is commonly associated with Aum. We find increasing references to it in many Upanishads that were composed in the Post Rigvedic period such as Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Taittiriya and Mandukya Upanishads. These Upanishads draw its symbolic significance by associating it with the Universal Self or Supreme Brāhman. They directly refer to it as Om, Aum, Udgita, Pranava and Omkara. In some verses of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Om is used as an affirmation in the sense of “Yes I agree.” The Chandogya Upanishad (section 3) informs the various ways in which udgita can be meditated and the benefits arising from them. It declares that by meditating upon it one can dispel darkness and fear, gain strength, become rich in food and gain immortality. In some verses it equates Aum with the space (akasa).

Patanjali’s Yogasutra states that Isvara (the Self) is expressed as Pranava . Its continuous chanting (japa) would lead to the mastery of the right knowledge and removal of interruptions (antarayas) which arise in the form of distractions (vikshepas) such as disease and dullness. Yoga tradition holds that chanting of the word continuously would bring many benefits, such as purification of the mind, the body and the environment, removal of the sins, equanimity of the mind, removal of desires, delusion and attachment and attainment of all the four aims of human life, namely obligatory duty(dharma), wealth (artha), pleasure (kama) and liberation (moksha).

Aum and Om in the Upanishads

Both the major and minor Upanishads repeatedly mention the symbolic and spiritual significance of Aum or Om and recommend meditation upon it as the means to achieve the state of Brāhman. Descriptions of aum in various major and minor Upanishads are mentioned below.

The Mandukya Upanishad

In the Vedic literature we find a gradual evolution of Aum from Om. The word aum was used for the first time in the Mandukya Upanishad to explain Brāhman as the only and the ultimate reality, a concept that became the basis subsequently for the emergence of Advaita Vedanta or the philosophy of monism. Gaudapada expounded this philosophy through his commentary on the Upanishads whcih is known as Mandukya Karika.

In its very opening verse, the Mandukya Upanishad describes the significance of Aum in which it declares Omkara as everything (idam sarvam), the past, the present and the future and also whatever there is beyond the threefold time. As the ultimate Brāhman it has four quarters, the waking state (jagrata) presided by Vaisvanara (universal man), the dream state (svapna) presided by taijasa (illumined being), deep sleep state (susupta) presided by prajna (intelligent being) and the transcendental state (turiya) presided by the individual Self (atman) which in reality is but Brāhman Himself.

We can see these four states being represented in the syllable AUM. The waking state is represented by the first letter A, the dream state by the second letter U, the deep sleep state by the third letter M and the fourth state (Self) by the syllable AUM itself. Like Patanjali, Gaudapada equates Aum with Isvara and suggests that by worshipping Him as Aum we will transcend suffering.

The fourfold nature of Aum is also represented truthfully in the symbol of Aum, which consists of four curves and one circle. The four curves represent the four states of consciousness and the circle represent the Self. The lower curve represents the waking state, the middle curve the dream state, the upper curve the deep sleep state, the semi circle detached from these three represent the transcendental state while the circle above all is the witnessing Self or the Supreme Self. Symbolism of Aum is depicted in the diagram above.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

The Briahadaranyaka Upanishad begins with the word Aum. In some verses it refers to it as udgita and declares the proper way to chant it is in conjunction with speech and with deep upper breath (or inhalation in which the chest is pulled up). The Chandogya Upanishad suggests, in the form of a story (section 2), the best way to meditate upon the udgita in order to stabilize the mind. It begins with how the gods tried various methods in vain to meditate upon the udgita and how they were disturbed victoriously in various ways by the demons, till the gods found the right method to meditate upon it as the breath. When the gods began meditating in this manner, the demons tried to disturb them and were instantly destroyed as if they hit themselves against a solid rock. In the next section (3.7) of the Upanishad we find the threefold symbolism of the udgita, “Heaven (dyaur) is ut, atmosphere (antarisksham) is gi and earth (prithvi) is tha. The sun is ut, the air gi and the fire tha. The Samaveda is ut, the Yajurveda gi and the Rigveda, tha.” To dispel any doubt we may have as to the true meaning of udgita, the Upanishad emphatically states, “Now verily, what is the udgita is the Aum. What is Aum is the udgita.“

In The Maitri upanishad

The Maitri upanishad (4.22) explains how we can attain non-sound (asabda) through the sound (sabda) by meditating upon Aum in different ways. In one method, moving upward by it one ascends to the non-sound and becomes immortal. According to another method, by closing the ears with the thumbs one can hear the sound of the space within the heart in seven different ways, namely the sound of a flowing river, the sound of a moving wheel, the sound of bell, of a brass vessel, the croaking of frogs, the sound of rain and the sound of speech. He who hears these different sounds within himself will ultimately merge with the supreme non-sound and become immortal. Thus, with the help of sabda (sound) Brāhman he attains para (supreme) Brāhman. The Upanishad also describes the end of meditation on Aum as the state which is tranquil, soundless, fearless, without sorrow (asokam), blissful, satisfied, steadfast, unmoving, immortal, unshaking, enduring and which is comparable to Vishnu because it is both lower and higher than everything and also soundless and void. This state is attained by using the body as the bow, Aum as the arrow, the mind as its point and darkness as the mark. When darkness is pierced with the arrow of Aum one reaches that which is not enveloped in darkness where Brāhman sparkles like a wheel of fire, of the color of sun, full of vigor and beyond darkness

The Atharvasikha Upanishad

The Atharvasikha Upanishad suggests that meditation has to be done on the single letter Om because it is in itself the mantra for meditation. Its four legs are the four devas and the four Vedas while the syllable itself is equal to Para Brāhman (Ultimate reality). It states, “The five gods Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Ishwara and Shiva should be worshipped in the form of pranava (Aa + Uu+ Ma + half sound + Bindu.)” Aum is known as “pranava” because it makes everyone bow before it and as Omkara because it sends forth the currents of the life-force upward. The Upanishad identifies the constituent sounds of the syllable Aum with Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, and Brāhman, and explains their symbolism in the following manner.

• The sound a represents the earth, the hymn of praise (ric), Rigveda, Brahma, the eight deities known as Vasus, the sacred Gayatri mantra, the garhyapatya fire, the color of red and dedicated to Brahma.
• The sound u refers to the atmosphere (antariksha), the sacrificial formula known as Yajus, the Yajurveda, god Vishnu, the atmospheric deities known as Rudras, the meter trishtbhu, the dakshina fire, brightness, and dedicated to Rudra.
• The sound m represents heaven, the sacred chant saman, the Samaveda, god Vishnu, the 12 solar deities known as Adityas, the meter jagati, the ahavaniya fire, the color black and dedicated to Vishnu.
• The nasalized half part of the sound m which is let out while chanting Aum is described as the Atharvan chants, the Atharvaveda, the fire of universal destruction, the wind gods known as Maruts, the universal Virat, lightning like, multicolored and dedicated to Brāhman or Purusha.

Aum in the Tantras and the minor Upanishads

The tantras describe the primordial sound Aum as pure vibration (spanda), without cause and the source of all sounds and vibrations. They explain the origin of primeval sounds like dhvani , nada and subtle alphabets called matrikas and their association with Siva and Shakti. The Shārada Tilaka Tantra reveals the source of all sounds to be the bindu (point) which has three constituent parts, namely nada (subtle sound), bija (seed) and bindu (point). Nada has the predominance of Siva consciousness (Siva), bindu has the predominance of energy or Shakti while bija contains both of them in equal parts. The Kirana Tantra describes Aum as divine in itself, which resides in the throat of Siva and which is the root of all mantras and also the source of all speech (vac).

The Amritabindu Upanishad distinguishes between the audible Om (svara) and the inaudible Om (asvara), which is imperceptible in the conscious world but perceptible in the subtle planes in deeper states of meditation. The audible Om is perishable (kshara), whereas the subtle one is imperishable (akshara). Only by meditating upon the latter, it is possible to reach the state of equanimity and experience oneness with God. The Amritanadabindu Upanishad describes Om as the chariot to reach the Absolute. By chanting the sacred sound, disengaged from the first three letters of Aum, one enters into the subtle state through the last letter m which is also the bindu (the seed or focal point). Withdrawing the senses, practicing breath control, seated on the ground, free from defects and guarding oneself from harmful thoughts, one should focus one’s attention fully on Om and contemplate upon it. The Om should not be exhaled because it has the ability to purify and remove the defects.

The Nadabindu Upanishad describes Aum as a resplendent humming sound (Vairaja pranava), having four parts through which one can reach the inner sound (nada) in the right ear. When it is heard all external sounds disappear and one is able to listen to various subtle sounds whereby he becomes a videhamukta (freed from the body).

According to the Hamsa (swan) Upanishad, nada manifests itself as ten different sounds, which are heard by adepts and yogis in the subtle planes in the progressive stages of their spiritual advancement. Hearing them is a sure sign of success on the path. These sounds are the sound of cini, of cini-cini, of bell, of conch, of harp, of cymbals, of flute, of kettle drum, of tabor and of thunder clap. Of these only the last one should be cultivated. Different physical symptoms said to arise in the mind and the body as these sounds are heard, such as shaking of the head and sweetness in the mouth. When finally the last mentioned sound (thunder clap) is heard, one becomes identical with the transcendental Self (para Brāhman). The tantra shastras recognize Aum as the seed (bija) mantra and suggest its association with other mantras and names of Siva, Shakti and other divinities so as to increase their potency and vibration and hasten the process of purification and self-realization. Some of the well known and powerful mantras which are used in association with Aum as the prefix are mentioned below.

• Om namah Sivayah
• Om namo bhagavate Vasudevaya
• Om Ganesaya namah or Om namoh Ganesaya
• Om namo Pundarikakshaya
• Om srimatre namah
• Om sat-cit-ekam-brahma
• Om Durgaih namah

The Mahanirvana Tantra speaks about the significance of “soham” or “hamsa”, used in both meditation and chanting as the means to self-realization. Both the words symbolize the ultimate reality hidden in the manifest creation and contain in themselves both the masculine and feminine aspects of creation, namely Siva and Shakti, represented by the sounds “ham” and “sa” respectively. Hamsa, means the swan and also ” I am He”. It is equated with the sound of natural breathing because the sound of our natural breathing is very similar to the sound of hamsa. When chanted repeatedly hamsa (I am He) sounds like soham (He is I am) or vice versa. Thus it is said that by breathing naturally every living being chants unknowingly and spontaneously, one of the most powerful mantras in the world, which is regarded as the pranava itself. Through breath all beings continuously worship God, remind themselves of their true nature and connection with God and identify themselves with Him, although they may or may not be aware of it at all. We find a similar explanation in the Dhyanabindu Upanishad, which describes the chanting of hamsa as ajpa gayatri or the unchanted gayatri

Om in Buddhism

Buddhism recognizes neither the individual Self nor the universal Self. The Buddha prohibited the Vedic practice of using mantras and magical spells for personal or spiritual gains. However with the emergence of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism the practice of using mantras in chants and meditation as a means of self-protection, purification and spiritual well being became a regular practice in some sects of Buddhism. One of the most famous mantras found in Buddhism is the lotus mantra which begins with the word Om. It is chanted as, “Om mani padmeham”. There are also other mantras beginning with Om which are used by the Buddhist monks in various parts of the world, such as, Om wagishwari hum, Om dhrung svaha, Om vajrapani hum and Om vajrasattva hum. For the Buddhists the word Aum or Om does not represent the absolute reality nor an eternal self. Instead it represents the outer aspects of a living being, namely the body, the speech and the mind respectively.

Om Meaning – The Eternal Sound of the Cosmos

Many of you must have heard and chanted Om many times in your meditation and yoga classes, but have you ever tried to decipher Om meaning and its spiritual significance? This reverberating sound of the cosmos defines your connectedness with the infinite and imperishable source of life on this planet. This Sanskrit syllable is a timeless treasure that is an enigma, still remains hidden and unsolved.

Om Meaning

In Hindu mythology, the sound Om is a holy symbol of unity and integrity. It is a primordial sound that is divine and is often found at the beginning and end of mantras in the Vedic scriptures, Upanishads, a collection of religious teachings.

The word Om is the epitome of the entire universe of which you are a part; it represents the union of body, mind and spirits. It connects you to the higher realm of spiritual awakening that sounds simple but has a complex meaning.

Om is also referred to as the ‘self within’. It is the soul or ‘Atman’ that is immortal and ever powerful. The syllable is related to ‘Omkara’ and ‘Pranava’. Omkara designates Brahma who is the creator of the Universe. Pranava is the divine life force that leads to salvation or liberation from sufferings. 

Om is a humming sound vibration that is present everywhere and from it emanates all other sounds. Spiritualists believed that from this sound vibration, the material world was born. Thus, Om symbolically represented the union of energy, frequency, and vibrations.

Om Symbol

After learning about the meaning of Om, a pertinent question that comes to our mind is that what does Om symbol mean? The sound of Om is represented with a spiritual symbol that refers to God as sound vibration. When you meditate with this sacred and pure symbol, you move towards a subtle level of divine consciousness. The yogi can unite with god. The Om symbol is an emblem or sign of connectedness with the divine forces of nature.

After learning about the meaning of Om, a pertinent question that comes to our mind is that what does Om symbol mean? The sound of Om is represented with a spiritual symbol that refers to God as sound vibration. When you meditate with this sacred and pure symbol, you move towards a subtle level of divine consciousness. The yogi can unite with god. The Om symbol is an emblem or sign of connectedness with the divine forces of nature.

Om Symbol Meaning (Also known as Aum Symbol)

Om symbol was written in the Devanagari script. This symbol is widely used in yoga, meditation practices across the globe. It is a pious and mystical symbol that carries a supernatural aura. As your soul is the mirror of your mind, this symbol represents the three states of consciousness or nervous systems.

The Om symbol has five parts and each has a symbolic meaning.

1. Sushupti

Sushupti is the first and the upper curve of the symbol. This state is a state of deep sleep. Here the mind is calm and without worries. This also signifies the end of something, death, destruction. This unconscious state symbolizes Lord Shiva, implying demolition or destruction.

2. Jagratha

The bottom curve signifies the waking state. This is a state of consciousness when you are awake and carry on with all activities. This state also shows creation, new beginnings, and birth. It symbolizes Lord Brahma, thus referring to creation.

3. Swapna

Swapna is the dream state of conscious existence. It is the middle curve between the waking and sleep state. In this state, the consciousness of the individual is inclined towards knowing the ideal self. It is an inward journey of self-exploration. Thus, this state is about the preservation of life, the fulfillment of wishes, finding satisfaction in oneself. It symbolizes Lord Vishnu, referring to preservation.

4. Maya

It represents the semi-circle on the top of the Om symbol. It is the fourth state that refers to the illusions and worldly desires that cloud your thoughts and perceptions. Too much engagement in this state of consciousness can lead to kleshas or mind poisons that act as a barrier in achieving your higher self.

5. Turiya

Turiya is the dot at the top of the semicircle. It refers to the divine and absolute state of spiritual consciousness that activates all other states. This state is the pure state of ‘Nirvana’, the ultimate goal of human existence. The dot also symbolizes peace. It is the sound of silence, called the ‘Anahata Nada’ in Sanskrit. The semi circle doesn’t touch the dot. It means that your higher self always remains unaffected by Maya.

Om symbol is unique and carries a deep slated meaning and spiritual significance. When you chant ‘Om’, the sound reverberates and connects you to a state of inner peace.

Om Vs Aum

Aum is the seed syllable or ‘beej’ mantra, first identified in Upanishads. The syllable Aum has three phonetic components. ‘A’, ‘U’, ‘M’. It represents the three states of consciousness; waking state, dream state, and sleep state.

Moreover, Aum is symbolic of the incarnations of three Hindu Gods, Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer), and Shiva (the destroyer).

There is no difference between the meaning of Om or Aum. It is only the syllabic pronunciation that makes the apparent differences. The syllable Om is a mono-syllabic word, as compared to Aum which is tri-syllabic. Aum is pronounced as ‘aa-uu-eemm’.

The different anecdotes in Sanskrit literature have explained ‘Aum’ by saying that ‘O’ is a diphthong sound. It is formed by the combination of two vowel sounds ‘A’ and ‘U’. When you chant Aum, the energy centers or chakras of your body get activated that bring an overall transformation in you physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Thus Aum is

A – Creation

U – Preservation

M – Destruction

The vibrations of Aum

While chanting Aum, you will experience vibrations at three spots in your body. These are as follows:

• AA – the vibration is felt around your navel and abdomen. This is known as the waking state of consciousness.
• UU – the felt vibration takes place in the chest cavity. It symbolizes the dream state.
• EEMM – vibration is felt in and around the throat. This stage is related to deep sleep.

Om is the manifestation of God. It is a divine energy and the only reality encompassing the entire Universe. Spiritual teachers and yogis believed that Om is not just a sound vibration. It entails the whole creation. 

Whatever you see, hear, touch, and feel is ‘Om’. Your perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and actions are all guided by this primordial sound. It is a cosmic energy that guides life and death and the ultimate merge with the higher self.

Om is a short chanting and is done in a single rhythmic beat. Aum is meant for extended chanting, delving deeper and deeper into a state of divine and blissful existence.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Om is a Sanskrit syllable first referred to in the Hindu texts and Vedas, approximately around 1500 – 1200 B.C. It was used in hymns and mantras to praise the divine lord. Om was considered as the embodiment of Brahma, the creator of the Universe. Ancient anecdotes of Vedic literature used Om as a sound vibration used in human speech. 

Hindu saints and Buddhist monks uttered Om at the beginning and end of religious ceremonies. This sound resonates with the energy frequencies of the Universe to create a realm of peace and wisdom. The essence of this vast universe is embodied in Om.

Mandukya Upanishad used Om in the practice of yoga. The chanting of Om creates positive transformation in the body and mind. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali categorized eight limbs of yoga called ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ or ‘Raja Yoga’. 

The sound of Om was widely used in the sixth limb of raja yoga called ‘Dharana’ which means concentration. Om was chanted to support the mind to achieve profound concentration, leading to union with the divine powers.

Historical evidence from the Vedas have proved that Om is pranic energy. It is symbolic of the life force that exists in human beings. Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists used Om sound to make prayers and mantras more effective.

Om is the ‘soul’, ‘Atman’, or ‘self within’ that is a personification of the entire Universe. Several Hindu cultures believed that Om symbol represents the dancing posture of Lord Shiva. The famous Gayatri mantra starts with this holy sound.

Mandukya Upanishad stated that Om is

• Om is all forms of life
• It represents self
• Om is all knowledge and wisdom
• It is love, purity, and selflessness
• The sound also represents unity, eternity, and peace
• Om is the past, present and the future
• The Bible says that when there was no material world, there exists a sound vibration that was ever powerful. That is Om.

What does Om mean in text?

Om represents wisdom, purity, and harmony. It raises your physical, emotional, and spiritual vibrations. 

Hindu philosophy describes Om as a sequence of various sounds that symbolize creation, continuity of life, and destruction.

This sacred sound of the Universe teaches you to resonate with positive energies of the Universe. It is a tool to remove worldly attachments and guides your mind towards kindness and good living. 

The sound waves that get produced from uttering Om; manifest harmony of body, mind, and spirits. It teaches love, understanding, forgiveness, generosity, and bliss. Om manifests ‘Oneness’. 

When you chant Om, you let go your emotional toxins and mental blocks. You can perceive things with more clarity and less doubt, thus experiencing Oneness with the divine powers.

Om Chanting

Om chanting is a common ritual practice in various Hindu ceremonies. It is a sacred offering mantra meant for the creator or God. It connects all living beings to the universal powers of the Cosmos. 

Om chanting can be done silently or aloud. It is a powerful sound lying within you. Chanting Om on a regular basis enhances physical and mental health. It helps to develop a positive mindset. 

Since Om is the purest sound vibration that exists in this creation, it is a powerful tool for energy cleansing. Om chanting also symbolizes devotion and surrender to the wishes of the Lord.

How to Pronounce Om Correctly?

The word Om has a spiritual significance. it is our responsibility to pronounce it correctly to maintain the sanctity of the cosmic energies embodied in Om chanting.

Usually, Om is pronounced as a single diphthong sound followed by a silence that refers to the infinite; pulsating the vibrations in and around you.

While pronouncing AUM, the first syllable is 

• A – pronounced as a prolonged “awe”. It starts from the back of your throat.
• U – the sound U comes from in between the mouth
• M – Pronounced with closed lips

Significance of Om in Hinduism and Buddhism

Various religions of the world have tried to solve the enigma associated with Om. The meaning and connotations of this energy sound vibration varies in different religious schools of thought.

Om Meaning Buddhism

The followers of Tibetan Buddhism considered Om as a symbol of unity, wholeness, perfection and infinity. Om was chanted as a hymn at the start of meditation to denote connectivity with the cosmic energies. 

In the Buddhist tradition, Om is the totality of sound created in the Universe. They chanted it to calm down wandering thoughts and inculcate positive energies in human minds. It was chanted to remove ignorance, pride, and illuminate the human soul towards the light of wisdom.

Om Meaning Hinduism

Om is a sacred symbol of truth and wisdom. It represents ‘Brahma’, the creator. For Hindus, the chanting of Om signifies purity of soul. This spiritual practice embodies honest living, invoking peace, and harmony. Om chanting is done in private prayers, religious ceremonies, weddings, spiritual practices such as Yoga and meditation.

Om Meditation

This meditation assists the practitioner to focus his attention to deeper levels of spiritual consciousness. These meditative practices are an awareness-based concept. Research has proved that chanting of the Om sound 108 times activates your positive emotions. Your negative feelings such as worry, anxiety, pessimism, and stress can be reduced by practicing this meditation.

The Om sound is a great relaxation tool to calm down your monkey mind. When you align your breathing and focus on inhalation and exhalation through this sound vibration, you delve deep into the subtle areas of inward consciousness; thereby becoming more mindful of your internal attributes. Om chanting is a key concept in Indian yoga practice.

Research findings have shown that meditation with the sound of Om can help in reducing blood pressure and eliminate heart diseases forever. It improves concentration and memory.

Om meditation is a type of mantra meditation or Japa meditation.

Steps in Om Meditation

There are a few steps involved in this meditation practice. They are as follows

1. Sitting Position

While practicing yoga with Om, you should either sit in lotus position or vajrasana. You may choose to sit on the yoga mat or in a high chair, whichever feels comfortable for you. Relax and take a few deep breaths to feel poised and peaceful. Place your hands on your thighs.

2. Keep eyes closed

This meditation is for awareness and peace of mind. You should keep your eyes closed and avoid visual sensations as much as possible. Closing your eyes is a kind of sensory withdrawal or Pratyahara that is an important part of any yoga practice. You should focus your thoughts in between the eyebrows.

3. Breathing pattern

You should breathe slowly and keep your muscles in a relaxed position. Notice inhalation and exhalation of every single breathing cycle and try to calm down your thoughts. Chanting Om and regulation of breathing has physiological and psychological benefits. It improves blood circulation to the vital organs and boosts immunity.

4. Om chanting

You should think about the meaning of Om before chanting. As it resembles the sound of the Cosmos, it is the source of your existence. 

Om signifies the Oneness of body, mind, and spirit. When you have understood the meaning well, start chanting Om by breathing in the air slowly. Release the air through exhalation and take a pause before another intake of air. 

The pause helps you to relax and continue with the process effortlessly. While chanting Om, allow the sound vibration to move upward from your navel to the throat, then the nose, and then to the center of your eyebrows. This process helps in the energy cleansing of the Chakras in the body.

5. Set time for meditation

You may choose to meditate for 5 to 10 minutes by silently humming the Om sound. When you slowly get deeper in your meditation practice, you become more aware of yourself. You will feel the vibrations becoming subtle and gentler. It will give you a profound sense of happiness, inner peace, and harmony.

Om Mani Padme Hum meaning

Om Mani Padme Hum is an ancient Buddhist mantra used by the Tibetan Buddhists across the globe for various ceremonies and meditation practices. 

Buddhist monasteries arrange for collective prayer sessions where they recite the mantra to attain absolute bliss and merge with the divine teachings of Lord Buddha. Om Mani Padme Hum is written in prayer wheels and prayer flags in Buddhist monasteries.

‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ means ‘Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus’. Each word of the mantra holds a deep meaning. Let’s take a look

1. Om

Om sound represents the practitioner’s impure body, mind, speech and the pure body, mind, and speech of the Buddha. It is the divine and pure energy that cleanses the ego.

2. Mani

It means jewel. The human soul is like a jewel or precious gem. It has the power to become loving, compassionate, generous, and enlightened. Mani also means ethics and morality. It purifies the soul from anger, jealousy, and brings patience and tolerance.

3. Pad

It means diligence. removes ignorance of self and brings clarity in thoughts and judgements.

4. Me

Meaning Focus and concentration

5. Hum

Unity of all living beings; it represents Oneness of all life forces on this Universe.

The recitation of the mantra helps to achieve perfection in the practice of generosity, patience, pure ethics, perseverance and truth.

“Om Mani Padme Hum means independence on the practice of a path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom; you can transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.”

The link given below shows the meaning of the mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’

Om Shanti Om Meaning

Om Shanti Om is a powerful mantra, very popular in the Hindu religion. By chanting this mantra, the practitioner can attain absolute peace of mind. The word ‘Shanti’ means a deep and profound level of peaceful existence at body, mind, and spirit.

It is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘Sham’ that means calmness and tranquility. The word Shanti is uttered three times after Om, to represent the threefold peace states at body, mind, and speech. This mantra chanting invokes peace and happiness.

Chanting Om Shanti mantra resonates throughout the body, it helps to reduce anxiety and mental restlessness.

Hari Om Meaning

Hari Om is a popular meditation mantra that symbolizes the purity of ‘being’ or ‘self’. The purity of the soul is achieved by good deeds and actions. Chanting this mantra removes all impurities, sins, bad karma, and negative astrological effects on your birth chart. 

The mantra is all about remembering God as powerful and merciful to remove all your bad karma. Thus, this mantra helps the practitioner to get rid of his pain and suffering. It is a Sanskrit mantra dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the remover of sins.

If you chant this mantra regularly in your meditation classes; you can activate the chakras; thereby allowing the kundalini energy to move from the base of the spine to the middle of your forehead.

Hari Om is the shorter version of the original sanskrit mantra called ‘Hari Om Tat Sat’. It means “Supreme Lord is the ultimate truth”.

‘Hari’ means God in his physical entity. The regular chanting of Om Hari Om mantra can help in

• Improves concentration
• Sense of joy and happiness
• enhanced level of consciousness about the higher self
• You can get rid of worldly temptations
• improves creativity and clarity of thoughts and actions
• Helps to develop a positive mindset that is devoid of worries and disappointments

Jai Guru Deva Om meaning

This is a sanskrit mantra, dedicated for the praise or salutation of the ‘Guru’ or teacher. Your teacher imparts the knowledge of truth and righteous living. He shows you the path of enlightenment or absolute renunciation of worldly ties.

When you chant this mantra, you are appreciating the role of the teacher in your life. in the mantra the word ‘Jai’ means victory of evil or vice.

‘Gurudeva’ means a divine incarnation who can remove the darkness of ignorance and pride that clouds human souls and hinders the path of salvation.

Om Namah Shivaya Meaning

Om Namah Shivaya is a Hindu Mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a salutation or praise of the Lord. 

Followers of Shaivism commonly chant this mantra during prayers and religious ceremonies. The sound vibration of this mantra emanates your deepest consciousness. It is a way to understand the inner self. The three words mean as such:

• Om – the primordial sound of creation that is pure and divine.
• Namah – It means to bow down before the Almighty.
• Shivay – Meaning Lord Shiva or your inner self. It says that the soul is the purest embodiment of all heavenly and spiritual powers.

This mantra constitutes five syllables

1. Na – Earth
2. Ma – Water
3. Shi – Fire
4. Va – Air
5. Ya – Ether

This mantra chanting brings clarity of thoughts, transparency of feelings and purity of actions. It shows you the right path of wisdom and reduces stress from your overburdened mind.

Om Symbol Tattoo Meaning

Om Tattoos holds symbolic meaning for many of them. The Om tattoo signifies the four divine states of ‘Brahma’, the creator. They are

1. Metta – love, kindness, and generosity
2. Karuna – compassion, giving
3. Mudita – Joy, happiness, and content
4. Upekkha – Avoidance of pain and suffering, equanimity

Om tattoo conveys love for life, gratitude, and honor for creation. It also represents divine powers of the Universe of you being a small part of it.

The tattoo symbolizes unity of creation, humility, courage and trust on oneself to move ahead in times of adversity.

Om tattoos bring good luck, evolution, wisdom, and helps in manifesting their dreams.

 

 Significance Of Chanting Om Mantra

As a Hindu the sound of “OM” is something we listen to every other day, yet have you ever really thought about the significance of chanting OM?

Om is the primordial sound. In the beginning, the Brahman, the absolute reality was the one and only, and the simple thought of “I am only one – may I become many” created a vibration which became a sound called OM.

Today we all know that energy can be converted from one form to another like from electricity to sound, heat to electricity and many more.  Even our famous scientist Einstein who said e = mc² proved that matter is nothing but waves of energy. So when our supreme power decided to create this universe, they were able to utilise this sound vibration of Om to manifest the creation. This same vibration is present everywhere around us. The inner sound is called “antar-naada”. Infact the closest approach to Brahman is this sound of Om.

A lot of literatures related to yoga have made a mention regarding the Om mantra. A lot of the Upanishads especially the Mandukya Upanishad have said that Om represents everything that is manifest and yet still has its roots in the unmanifest.  The pure sound of Om is also called as the “pranava” which means that it sustains life and travels through our breath or praana.

Significance of OM

Om  signifies the four states of the supreme being mainly the three sounds in Om (Aum) denote the waking, dreaming ,deep sleep state and the silence  between successive repetitions of the mantra  represents the turiya state or the fourth state. The three states denotes the conscious, sub conscious and the unconscious state of the mind. According to some of the scriptures and samkhya, they believe that the whole material creation which includes the human mind and body are a manifestation of the mula prakriti (primordial creation) which in turn is formed of the three gunas mainly the sattva, rajas, tamas.  The 3 letters corrsoponds to the 3 gunas as:

A for tamas which means darkness, ignorance. U for rajas which means passion, dynamism and M for sattva which means purity, truth and light.  And the last state which is the silence between the 2 Aums represents a state of pure consciousness which transcends the three gunas. Some literature also  have interpreted the meaning of Aum as A for Brahma the creator, U for Vishnu the sustainer and M for Shiva who is the destroyer and the silence between the 2 Om sounds as the reality that lies beyond trinity. Certain other scripts have modified it and said that A means the present, U is for the past an M is for the  future and the silence between the sounds is to represent the reality beyond time and space.

The Symbol OM

It is not only the sound of Om that represents the 4 states of Brahma,even the symbol of Om which is written in Sanskrit denotes everything. The materialistic world during the waking state is depicted by the large lower curve while the deep sleep state is drawn by the upper left curve and the dream state which lies between the waking and the deep sleep state emanates from the confluence of the two. The point and semicircle are separate from the rest of the world wherein the point represents the turiya state of absolute consciousness and the open semicircle symbolises infinite which reveals that the point cannot be gasped if one limits oneself to finite thinking.

Other Names of OM

Different literatures have given different names and terminologies to this divine sound of Aum. Some Upanishads refer Om as “Udgita “which means the uplifting chant or the Omkara. In the yoga sutra of Patanjli it is referred to as the “Praanava. “Others call it as the “Taraka “the one that will help us cross the ocean of this perishable life while others call it the Akshara which means the indestructible or imperishable.

Om is one of the myriad of mantras and Mantra means sound tool in Sanskrit. In fact various ancient languages like the Tibetan, prototypical Egyptian and even Sanskrit have all evolved as complex systems of onomatopoeia, where in the sound movements can produce energy and this is predominantly represented in the right hemisphere of the brain. On the contrary the narrative strand of sounds is governed mainly by the left hemisphere of the brain.

The fascinating and striking feature of mantra is that the sound themselves before they are assigned any meaning start resonating in different parts of our body and mind and create actual interactions or events. Aum is infact onaomatopoeic and thus while performing it can create an event inside the nervous system which becomes an object of concentration and meditation and a focal point for expanding the physical and emotional awareness. The word Aum only sonorates without any fricatives or plosives.

On resonating the mantra aloud allowing air to flow through the nasal passage and smoothly transionitiong between the 3 sounds, the A has a wide opening and  a broader vibratory effect on the body indicating the gross consciousness of the waking state. The U has a funnelling effect which tends to narrow the consciousness into subtler sensations, thoughts and impressions as in a dream state. And the nasal sound of M makes the cranium of the brain vibrate over the cerebral cortex and denotes the sleep state of consciousness. Some literatures have shown that Aum is also found in the form of amen in Christianity, Judaism and ancient Egyptian where it codes for the immutable eternal aspect of consciousness.

Chanting of OM

Even the chanting of Om has its own significance. The Patanjali states that Om mantra should be chanted keeping and understanding its meaning and importance. It is important to sit in a comfortable and quiet place in a cross legged seated posture with spine upright, head, neck and spine in a vertical alignment. Close the eyes and take a deep breath and while exhaling start chanting the Om sound. Try to feel the vibration of the sound build in the naval area and travelling upwards. As you continue to chant the vibration should move towards the base of the throat and once it reaches the throat it should be converted into a deep humming sound of M. Try to feel the vibration till it reaches the crown of the head called the sahasrara chakra. The entire process needs to be repeated at least 2 or more times. At the end of the final chant make a sincere attempt to feel the vibration of the Om sound permeate through the whole body- every single cell in the body.

This feeling and the symbolic representation of the sound varies from one person to another. It is important to develop a state of complete relaxation and a proper breathing. At the same time the individual should have complete interest and curiosity only then will the effect of the mantra get a foothold in the system, In fact the mantra can be done vocally, whispering or silently in the mind too. But however most of the practioners believe that it is best to start aloud and then proceed gradually to the silent variations. Even group chanting of the mantras help to synchronize the brain waves between the participants and helps to achieve another level of collective effect.

Benefits of Chanting OM

On continuous recitation of the mantra called “udgita pranayama” it tends to give one peace, calmness, serenity and tranquillity. Even the simple understanding that Om is nothing but pure representation of ishvara helps us to bring closer to our true nature and in fact our own pure self. Like said previously Om is a primordial sound and the entire creation is a simple representation of this mystic sound. It denotes the cosmic prana or the vital energy and the pure air that we breathe. In fact it can also bring us closer to other human beings and try and lift the veil of separateness.

Like how Johann Wolkganag von Goethe once said that architecture is like frozen music. Mantras hold within them the latent forms of the universe and by practicing mantra we can drive our awareness deeper into the bones muscles, tissue of the body and thus gain a greater sensitivity and understanding and amplify the energies that are latent within us. However there are a variety of mantras that are used to worship. The first is always called the moola manthirum which forms the foundation and supports all the others. In fact this mantra has enormous power and it can help eradicate of one’s karma and give you what you rightfully deserve. It helps to solve aliments and genuine problems, prevents fatal accidents and most importantly helps to reach the highest spiritual pedestal called the mukthi.

 

SIGNIFICANCE OF OM MANTRA

The OM mantra is not just a sound, but a powerful force that resonates throughout the Universe. It is believed to be the first sound ever produced in the Universe and chanting it can bring many benefits. Unlike other words, OM does not have a specific meaning attached to it. Instead, its meaning varies for each individual. Chanting the OM mantra is a sacred practice in astrology that can energize and bring positivity to the mind and body. This sound is not only considered sacred in Hinduism, but also holds significance in other religions such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. According to these religions, chanting the OM mantra connects individuals with the Universe or the supreme power that guides it.

The origin of the OM mantra can be traced back to the Big Bang. It is said to have emerged when the Universe was coming into existence. Astrologers consider OM to be the sound of the creator, made up of three syllables: ‘A,’ ‘U,’ and ‘M’. What makes this sound special is that it can produce vibration on its own, unlike other sounds that require the collision of two objects. When a person deeply chants the OM mantra, the vibrations emitted from their body align with their soul and unify with the higher power beyond this Universe.

In Vedic texts and sculptures, OM is both a sound and a symbol with its own powers. It is believed to bring wisdom to the individual and, when pronounced correctly, spreads harmony throughout their body and soul. The OM mantra represents the three fundamental aspects of life: creation, preservation, and destruction. Each syllable of the mantra has a different effect on the individual. The syllable ‘A’ corresponds to the conscious state of mind, ‘U’ corresponds to the unconscious or dream state, and ‘M’ corresponds to the deep sleep state. Chanting the OM mantra with devotion and a pure heart can take the individual on a spiritual journey and provide physical and mental benefits. It helps alleviate stress and aligns one’s consciousness with the Universe, which is why OM forms the foundation of many mantras in astrology.

The OM mantra holds great astrological significance as it is considered the essence of all other mantras, Vedas, and rituals. Most mantras begin with OM, highlighting its importance. The OM mantra, also known as the Lord Shiva mantra, is chanted during ceremonies, worship, and meditation to align one’s thoughts with divine energies. It possesses spiritual powers that can ignite enlightenment in the individual and provide a deeper understanding of life, peace, and liberation.

To chant the OM mantra correctly, one must sit in a straight posture with closed eyes. Taking a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and exhale. With the next breath, begin making the sound ‘Ooo’ and stretch it halfway. While exhaling, bring the lips together to create the sound ‘Mmmmm’ and stretch it as long as possible. Chanting the OM mantra in this manner produces different vibrations in the body, from the stomach and chest region to the nasal and brain region. It refreshes the body from within and brings positivity to one’s life.

There are numerous benefits of chanting the OM mantra. It purifies the environment and creates a positive atmosphere. Chanting OM strengthens the bond with the Universe and enhances concentration. It has self-healing properties, boosts immunity, and improves respiratory health. Chanting OM induces a meditative state, bringing relaxation to the mind, body, and soul. The vibrations produced by the mantra benefit not only the individual but also the people around them. It helps with cardiovascular health, strengthens vocal cords, and aids in the healing of various body parts. Chanting OM also promotes emotional control, spiritual growth, and positivity. Group chanting amplifies the effects of the mantra, generating powerful vibrations. Furthermore, it is believed to have beautifying effects on the skin and benefits the spinal cord and thyroid glands. Chanting OM in a spiritual state can even improve eyesight.

In conclusion, the OM mantra is a profound sound that transcends religious boundaries and holds immense significance in astrology. Chanting OM correctly and regularly can bring a multitude of physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, as it aligns the individual with divine energies and connects them to the Universe.

The Meaning of Om: How to Use Om in Your Yoga Practice

According to the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, om is the origin seed, or Bija, from which all other sounds and words come. This basic seed word is chanted in yoga classes here in the West to tune into the higher self, connect to the universe, and deepen meditation.

What Does Om Mean?

Om or aum (pronounced ah-uu-mm) is a sacred sound considered by many ancient philosophical texts to be the sound of the universe, encompassing all other sounds within it. In Sanskrit, om is called Pranava, which means to hum, and is considered an unlimited or eternal sound. Although the term is linked to Indian culture, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, om chanting is a spiritual practice that transcends culture and religion and is inclusive of all possible definitions and interpretations of God, or Brahma.

What Are the Different Parts of Om?

The Mandukya Upanishad, an ancient Vedic text linked to Vedanta Hindu beliefs, describes the sound om as having three parts. Patañjali, a sage who wrote and taught the first and most comprehensive yoga scriptures, interprets these three stages as the beginning, middle, and end of all other sounds in the universe. They are:

A: The first sound in om is “A,” pronounced “ah.”
U: “U” or “oo” is a natural continuation of the sound that begins with “ah.”
M: The “M” sound is made by sealing the lips to complete the oral part of the mantra.

According to the Vedas, a set of ancient Hindu scriptures, the silence after the “M” in om is known as Anahata Nada or “pure silence.” Some teachings define this part as something beyond sound or verbal comprehension, while others state that it represents a peaceful state of consciousness.

How Is Om Applied in Yoga?

Om is incorporated into yoga culture and individual yoga and meditation practices in many ways:

• To symbolize the philosophy of yoga. The om symbol ॐ in Sanskrit is commonly seen painted on the wall in yoga studios, as a decoration on yoga mats, and even worn as a pendant.
• To connect to the oneness of all things. Yogis chant om to begin or end a yoga practice, and it is common to repeat the sound together as a class one to three times. You can chant the sacred syllable alone or together as a group, always in coordination with your conscious breath.
• To increase the quality of meditation. Focusing in and up towards your third eye chakra with your eyes closed while chanting om can help deepen your state of meditation.
• To harmonize systems of the body. The sacred sound also balances and harmonizes the nervous system through energetic vibrations created by the sound.
• To form more complex mantras. You can add om to other Sanskrit words to create more complex, advanced mantras like “Om Mani Padme Hum,” which is a part of some Buddhist teachings. Mani means jewel, Padme means lotus flower, and Hum implies a state of enlightenment.

How to Do Yoga Safely and Avoid Injury

Proper form and technique are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of a yoga practice. If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before practicing yoga. Yoga poses may be modified based on your individual needs

Importance and Significance of Om (ॐ)

Om or Aum or ॐ or ओम् or ओ३म् is the most sacred symbol or mantra in Hinduism, it is the ultimate, hyper or super-natural sound!. Om is the primordial sound from which all other sounds and creations emerge which signifies the Supreme Power.

In Sanskrit, it means the beginning and end of everything – or absolute infinity. Omni forms the root of so many words which means infinity for example omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient.

Om and the Hindu Trimurti

Aum has three sounds A…U….M. ” A ” signifies the beginning of the universe. U signifies the life period of the universe and M signifies the destruction of the Universe. Hence Om is the only word that notifies the three main works of God that is creation, operation, and destruction of Srishti (Universe). This represents the three first forms of God viz. are Brahmaa (creator), Vishnu (operator), and the destructor (The Shiva).

“Om” sound and symbol is rich in meaning and depth, it is the sound of the universe. It represents the sound of divinity in all things in the past, present, and future.

Om is the fundamental (mul) mantra used for meditation and chanting. Almost all mantra begin with Om like ‘Om namaḥ Shivāya’ – ॐ नमः शिवाय, ‘Om shanti shanti’ – ओम शांति: शांति:.

Every religion in India be it Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, or Sikhism they have there own form of understanding of ‘Om’.

Benefits of chanting ‘Om’

According to research gate, Autonomic and respiratory studies suggest that there is a combination of mental alertness with physiological rest during the practice of Om meditation. Evoked potentials studies suggest a decrease in sensory transmission time at the level of the auditory association cortices, along with the recruitment of more neurons at mesencephalic-diencephalic levels.

It is considered that a person who realizes Om, merges with the Absolute. Scientific studies on Om suggest that the mental repetition of Om results in physiological alertness, and increased sensitivity to sensory transmission.

What does the Om symbol symbolize?

Om (or Aum) is an ancient sacred sound and symbol closely linked to spiritual awakening. It is one of the most important spiritual symbols in Eastern philosophy.

At its core, Om represents Ultimate Reality. In other words, it encompasses all the spiritual states one can exist in. It also symbolizes the Universe as a whole. It is said that, at the dawn of creation, Om was the first syllable to emerge from the emptiness.

The 3-shaped imagery of Om is also representative of a holy trinity that links together many symbols of “threes” in Eastern philosophy:

The three letters A U M: The sacred Om syllable is actually pronounced more like “a-u-m” during chants and mantras

The three worlds: Earth, ether, and atmosphere

The three aspects of time: Past, present, and future

The three holy trinity, or three Hindu deities responsible for creating, upkeeping, and destroying the world: Brahma (Hindu God of Creation), Vishnu (Hindu God of Preservation), and Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction of the Universe)

The three original scriptures of the Vedas: Rg, Yajur, and Sama

The three qualities, or “gunas”, of nature: Sattva (harmony), Raja (movement), and Tamas (inertia)

Three different states of consciousness: The waking state, the dreaming state, and the deep sleep state

This final point is particularly poignant in the visual symbolism of Om because each curve of the calligraphy represents a different state of mind or consciousness:

The Waking State: The lower left curve symbolizes regular waking life, or our lowest level of spiritual existence based solely on the material world.

The Dream State: The right middle curve represents the state between waking and unconsciousness, or the dreaming state

The Unconscious State: The left upper curve stands for the subconscious or unconscious mind of “deep sleep”. This is where the mind shuts down and doesn’t desire anything.

In addition, the other two key marks of the Om symbol complete the representation of the psycho-spiritual journey:

Maya (Illusion): The top upper curve or semicircle is symbolic of all the obstacles to spiritual development. These illusions can come from society or the world and block us from enlightenment.

The Transcendental State: The ultimate state of spiritual bliss is represented by the dot at the very top of the symbol. This is the highest state of consciousness where one can just Be, without influence from the outer world.

How do you pronounce Om or Aum?

Om is pronounced with three phonetic components:

A= aaauuu (represents creation, or the waking state)

U= ooooo (represents manifestation, or the dream state)

M= mmmm (represents destruction, or the unconscious state)

Om chanting can help bring a peacefulness and spiritual awareness into your body. You should breathe inhale before beginning the sound and hold each syllable for as long as possible during the exhale.

As you repeat the mantra, it helps to focus on the vibrations in your body, specifically the vocal chords, chest, and stomach. This resonance is has a plethora of physical benefits as well as mental benefits, including:

Lowering blood pressure

Relaxing the stomach

Calming the mind

Harnessing creative energy

Bringing spirituality into everyday unenlightened life (don’t worry, Om is still useful for those of us who aren’t an enlightened Buddha)

Purposefully beginning or ending a yoga class by reminding ourselves that yoga is far more than a physical asana practice

Here are some powerful tips from Dr. Hansaji Yogendra for properly chanting Om:

The Sacred Sound of Om

Om is considered sacred and should never be used in a derogatory or disrespectful way. The sacred syllable Om is a bija or seed mantra. It is incorporated into nearly every Sanskrit chant or mantra. While there are seed mantras for every chakra (energetic center) in the body, Om is the most commonly used bija mantra in meditation. It is directly correlated with Sahasrara (the crown chakra), which is linked to enlightenment and spiritual transformation.

Both Buddhist and Hindu traditions assert that the om sound energizes and aligns the chakras. It helps us connect to our divine spiritual core and harness a sense of inner peace.

In Hinduism, the sound Om (or Aum) is considered the first sound of the universe. The vibrational frequency of Aum is believed to be the origin of all other sounds, vibrations, and life forms. Because it is the primordial sound of the universe, chanting Om is particularly transcendental. It calms the mind and senses, syncs the breath, and helps practitioners reach a more elevated consciousness.

In Buddhism, the Om sound is considered the sound from which the gods were created. It is often the very first word in a Buddhist mantra. In Tibetan Buddhism, the syllable Om represents the ultimate reality and the final truth of all things that exist.

Similar to the Christian use of “amen” or the Islamic “amin”, the word Om is often chanted at the end of a prayer to evoke more divine energy.

Science of Om and the Nervous System

Interestingly, modern research has found that chanting Om can activate the Vagus Nerve. This is the largest nerve in the body that helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. As opposed to the “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system helps your body enter a “rest and digest”. It is linked to controlling your mood, blood pressure, heart rate, and level of calmness.

Chanting Om for as little as 5 minutes nerve is scientifically proven to help:

Promote relaxation

Lower heart rate

Reduce anxiety

Get out of “fight or flight” mode

Reduce stress

Reduce depression

Elevate mood

Meaning of Chanting Om Mani Padme Hum

The syllable Om is the beginning of a vast range of chants and mantras. You can also chant Om on its own for the powerful effects described above.

One of the most popular chants in Tibetan Buddhism is Om Mani Padme Hum, which literally translates to “praise to the jewel in the lotus”.

These words are often repeated between 21 and 108 times for a divine blessing. This mantra is considered to be healing and purifying. It is important to think about yourself and all the human beings, animals, insects, and plants in a compassionate way while repeating this chant.

The meaning behind Om Mani Padme Hum requires a metaphorical investigation into its Sanskrit roots:

Om: In this chant, the word Om signifies the beginning a blessing and the practice of generosity.

Ma: Ma means practicing pure ethics.

Ni: Ni is all about tolerance and patience for yourself and for others as you work toward reaching spiritual perfection.

Pa: The fourth syllable signifies perseverance in ones meditation practice and spiritual awareness.

Me: This syllable represents concentration.

Hum: The final syllable is about achieving perfection through wisdom.

This interpretation is from Dilgo Khynetse Rinpoche in The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones. You can see that perfection is a really common theme in the Buddhist associations with the Om symbol. That’s because this symbol is all about wholeness, cohesiveness, and a perfect oneness with the everything in universe.

Origins of Om Symbol

The Om symbol was first mentioned in ancient texts called The Vedas some 5,000 years ago. It was likely first proposed in the last books of the Vedas called the Upanishads. The Upanishads covered a wide range of esoteric teachings from sages and gurus, including meditation, consciousness, philosophy, and variety of rituals and ceremonies.

The aim of these religious texts were primarily to figure out the nature of the Atman (self) and how to harmonize oneself with the universe. Written in the traditional language of Sanskrit, these religious and spiritual teachings would later form the foundation for Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.

The Om symbol quickly became revered by Eastern faiths and has since been incorporated into religious texts, inscriptions, and traditions around the world. It has been interpreted as a mystic sound, a tool for meditation, and as an affirmation to something divine. It can be found throughout Southeast Asia painted on temples, engraved on statues, in depictions of gods, as well as a core component of sacred tattoos.

The Om symbol has also found its way to the Westernized world through the popularity of yoga, meditation, and Eastern philosophical practices.

Is it okay to wear Om symbol?

The Om symbol is considered cross-cultural and not particularly affiliated with any one religion or belief.

Even in India, there is conflict amongst different groups about whether or not it’s ok to wear the Om symbol in jewelry, clothing, or other expressions. Some Hindus assert that it is not offensive as long as the Om is held in a respectful sense (for example, as earrings or a ring, but not as a bathroom accessory or joke). In this sense, the wearing the Om symbol represents positivity, joy, unity, and a reminder to cultivate spiritual awareness in your daily life.

Other Hindis find wearing the Om symbol as insulting, especially when it is accessorized by non-Hindu westerners. As with Buddha or Unilome tattoos, some also believe that getting the Om symbol tattooed on your body is a form of cultural appropriation that is disrespectful to Hindu tradition.

Your decision to wear the Om symbol is a personal one. This is one of the most important spiritual symbols for yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, and eastern philosophy.

If you understand the Om symbol meaning and use it in a respectful way, you may find it perfectly moral to wear the Om symbol on your body. It can also be incorporated into your yoga and meditation practices in both its audible and visual form.

Using Om in a Yoga Class

If you are an avid yoga practitioner or yoga teacher, you may wonder how or why many yogis chant Om before or after a yoga practice. Sharing in a resonant vibration with your students can be impactful and unifying. It also activates a state of calmness before entering meditation or Savasana.

Regardless of if you follow Buddhist or Hindu faith traditions, it is typically considered acceptable to chant Om in a yoga class as long as it is used in a respectful manner. After all, Om represents compassion, acceptance, and oneness with the entire universe. The Aum chant reminds us that yoga is far more than just a physical (asana) practice.

When leading an Om chant, consider explaining the significance of each part of the syllable Om:

A: “Ahhh” or “awe” starts at the back of the throat and gets stretched out, vibrating your chest. It symbolizes the waking state and creation.

U: The second syllable is pronounced as a long “oooo” that gradually rolls forward along the upper palate of the mouth. It should vibrate the throat. This represents the dream state and manifestation.

M: The long “mmmm” part of the Om syllable involves lightly touching the front teeth. This vibrates the top of the mouth and signifies the unconscious state or deep sleep state and destruction.

Silence: The final syllable of Aum represents the silence of the infinite universe. As the “mmm” fades off, allow the room to become completely silent before starting the next round of Om chanting.

Bringing all of these sounds together helps echo the sound of the universe and integrate mind, body, and spirit into one. You can chant Om as many times as you’d like, however 3 to 9 times are the most common.

Key Takeaways: The Om Symbol Meaning is Complex and Spiritual

These days, the Om symbol is found nearly everywhere in the yoga world, yet most people don’t understand its historical and spiritual meaning.

As a sound, Om is a mystic syllable that symbolizes the origin of the Universe, according to Hindu belief. It was the very first sound of creation and is also considered a seed syllable for Sanskrit chants and mantras. It was first written in the ancient Vedic texts some 5,000 years ago.

In its visual form, the Om symbol represents a variety of holy trinity references as well as the three main states of consciousness: waking state, dream state, and deep sleep.

Both the auditory and visual form of Om can be used to elevate your spiritual awareness and help you connect to higher levels of consciousness and inner peace.

Namaste!

 

The Significance of Om: The Sacred Sound of Universal Harmony

Om, pronounced as “Aum,” is one of the most sacred and potent symbols in Hinduism and other Dharmic religions. It is a mystical syllable that holds immense spiritual significance and is considered the primordial sound of creation. Revered as the sound of the cosmos and the essence of existence, Om encapsulates profound meanings and serves as a powerful tool for meditation and spiritual awakening. Om, the sacred sound of universal harmony, holds a special place in the hearts of millions as a symbol of the Divine and the essence of existence. It serves as a potent tool for meditation, spiritual growth, and self-realization. Embracing Om enables seekers to connect with the cosmic rhythm, transcend the limitations of the material world, and journey towards the ultimate truth – the oneness that pervades all creation.

Om is often described as the sound of oneness that pervades the universe. It is believed to represent the ultimate reality (Brahman) that transcends all dualities and unifies the various aspects of existence. The three sounds that make up Om (A-U-M) symbolize the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution, representing the eternal rhythm of life. In Hindu cosmology, Om is considered the primordial sound that emerged during the creation of the universe. It is said to be the first sound that resounded across the cosmos, giving birth to everything that exists. Chanting Om is believed to connect individuals with the creative forces of the universe and align them with the divine source of all life. Om is often regarded as a sacred symbol representing the Divine. It is frequently used as a visual representation in Hindu art and architecture. The symbol is seen in temples, on religious scriptures, and as a part of traditional prayer practices. Its presence symbolizes the Divine’s omnipresence and serves as a reminder of the ultimate reality beyond the physical realm.

Om is considered a seed mantra, and the chanting of this sacred syllable is believed to have profound effects on the body, mind, and soul. The vibrations produced while chanting Om are said to resonate with the energy centers (chakras) of the body, promoting inner harmony, peace, and spiritual growth. Om is a central element in meditation practices in Hinduism and Yoga. Chanting Om can help calm the mind, focus attention, and lead to a state of inner stillness and awareness. It is often repeated as a mantra during meditation to facilitate a deeper connection with the Divine and to transcend the limitations of the material world.

The significance of Om extends beyond the boundaries of Hinduism. It is embraced by various spiritual seekers and practitioners worldwide, including those on the path of Yoga, Buddhism, and Jainism. The universality of Om lies in its ability to resonate with the innermost self and invoke a sense of unity and connection with the cosmos. Om is considered a powerful tool for self-realization and spiritual liberation (moksha). It serves as a guiding light for seekers on their journey to understand the true nature of the self and the interconnectedness of all life. Chanting Om with sincere devotion is believed to dissolve the ego and lead to a state of transcendence. In the profound vibrations of Om, seekers find solace, guidance, and a profound reminder of their eternal connection with the Divine and the timeless wisdom that resonates through the cosmos.

The Meaning Behind The Om Symbol & Sound, Plus How To Use It Respectfully

 For a simple-looking symbol, Om packs in a whole lot of meaning. With roots in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, the Om can now be seen and heard in spiritual spaces around the world. But what does it mean, and how can we use it in a way that’s respectful to its roots? Here’s what Om stands for, plus how to integrate it into your spiritual practice.

What does the Om symbol mean and what is its history?

Om is a foundation of Hinduism, where it is considered the very first sound of the universe. “Before the sound Om, there was nothing,” Vasavi Kumar, LMSW, MSEd, a RYT-200 ashtanga yoga teacher, tells mbg.

When said aloud, Om (or Aum) actually sounds like a three-part word. “The A represents creation, U is manifestation, and M is destruction,” explains Kumar. “It’s basically all-encompassing—the whole universe joined into a single sound. It represents the union of the mind, body, and the spirit.”

Deepha Sundaram, Ph.D., assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Denver, adds, “The Om symbol represents unification within Hinduism. People think about Om as a way to bring those three parts of your self—the mind the body and the spirit—together.”

Om also has ties to Buddhism, where it refers to compassion and connection. And in Jainism, it’s often used in reference to Pañca-Parameṣṭhi, or the five supreme beings of the ancient Indian religion.

As far as the physical symbol of Om, its various curves and lines represent five states of consciousness:

• The lower left curve represents the conscious, waking state of being.
• The top left curve is the unconscious state.
• The lower right curve is the dream state—the state between the waking and the unconscious.
• The semicircle at the top is the maya state. “Maya means “illusion”; the biggest obstacle to spiritual development,” explains Kumar.
• The dot at the top represents the absolute state. “It’s the highest state of consciousness; the ultimate state of spiritual bliss when you can just be,” she says.

 

Why is the Om symbol so important?

Om is considered sacred in the Hindu religion. Kumar notes, “We say Om before every Sanskrit prayer, text, any recitation of anything sacred. It’s considered the highest sacred symbol of Hinduism.” Repeating Om as a mantra can have powerful effects on one’s overall state. Doing so is thought to help center the mind, body, and spirit, elevate consciousness, deepen focus, and build compassion.

 

How can I respectfully use it in my practice?

If you are not traditionally Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain but appreciate the meaning behind Om, you can still integrate the sound and symbol into your spiritual practice. But when you’re using something so sacred, it’s important to do so with respect. Here are two ways to use Om that acknowledge its history and significance:

1.

As a chant

As we now know, chanting Om can have powerful effects on the body and mind. If you want to try it, Kumar recommends first recognizing its history and context, then saying it either silently or aloud while meditating or doing yoga.

“It’s meant to be said slowly,” she notes. “It’s meant to increase your mental and emotional vibration. You can repeat Om while meditating [to help with] focus, or you can chant it three times before yoga.”

2.

As a symbol

If learning about the symbol for Om and what it represents makes you want to incorporate it into your life, feel free to add it to your at-home meditation or prayer space. Let it serve as a reminder of your connection to the universe, as well as the unification of the mind, body, and spirit.

Significance of “Om”

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions on the planet. In today’s time, people are becoming increasingly aware of the sublime nature of this religion. There is no said founder of Hinduism, but Hindus worship various Gods and Goddesses. One of the primary reasons why Indian culture is known all over the globe is because of its complexity and diversity. This culture is also rich with symbolism. Om is considered to be the most sacred symbols of Hinduism. A significant part of the information regarding Hinduism comes from the four books or Vedas that it is based upon, namely- Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and  Atharvaveda.

What Is The Significance Of Om (Aum)?

Om, or Aum, is considered to be a representation of the Hindu Trimurti- wherein A represents Brahma- the creator, U represents Vishnu- the preserver, and M represents Mahesh- the destroyer. In Hindu mythology, the entire world is operated by these three Gods.

Om is the most sacred mantras of all. It is believed that when the universe was created, the first sound to be born out of the emptiness was “Aum.” Not only this, it represents the three states of consciousness as well. The pictorial representation of Aum resembles the digit 3. This is because of its deep roots with the number. It also symbolizes the oneness of the three realms- Earth, Heaven, and Underworld.

What Does The Om Symbol Mean?

The symbol is an arrangement of a dot, a crescent, and several curves. The waking state is represented by the broad curve at the bottom. It experiences the world with the use of five senses and is the most common form of human consciousness. We can understand this curve as our outward persona- or what we think we should be. The upper curve is symbolic to the unconscious state of the human mind, which does not desire anything. This part is hidden to us but is very much a part of who we are. The middle curve, however, represents the state of dreams as it lies between consciousness and unconsciousness. Next, the crescent represents illusion- which stands in our way to reach the ultimate bliss. The dot means the ‘absolute’ state; it is not outward or inward but has achieved the highest level of tranquillity and peace. This is the aim of all spiritual activity.

Benefits Of Chanting “Aum”

Several yoga systems around the world believe that chanting the sacred word energizes the mind and body. Since aum talks about the three stages of consciousness and the three worlds, repetition of this world enhances our ability to perform in these three states and worlds. It increases harmony within the mind of the subject. Chanting it repeatedly will bring the subject closer to self-realization. “Aum” is placed at the beginning to many Hindu mantras. It is so because chanting the divine sound opens up the mind and has a cleansing effect on the soul. When we say “Aum” out loud, we leave the rest of the world behind and only focus on the sound. This is one way in which we can ground ourselves but free our minds. The daily repetition of “Aum” helps to reduce stress, depression and increase concentration power.

“AUM” In Other Religions

“Aum” is also present in Buddhism. This is probably because of the existence of Hinduism during its formative years. In Buddhism, this sacred word is placed before mantras; the most well-known one being “Om Mani Padme Hum.” Aum has been described by Dalai Lama as “composed of three pure letters, A, U, and M. These symbolize the impure body, speech, and mind of everyday unenlightened life of a practitioner; they also symbolize the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of an enlightened Buddha.” In Buddhism, “Aum” does not represent the absolute reality; rather, it represents the body, speech, and mind.

It has been found that the vibrational frequency of everything that occurs naturally is 432 Hz, which is the same frequency of ‘Aum” when chanted. Hence, when we repeat “Aum,” we become one with nature, and our mind reaches the exalted form where it realizes divine bliss.

Thus, we see the importance of “Aum” and how it appears across cultures.

The Significance of ॐ: A Linguistic and Philosophical Analysis

Appearing before Sanskrit mantras, or as a stand-alone entity, ॐ or OM is perhaps the most important sound, syllable, letter, and symbol in Hinduism. Whether in Hindu rituals, prayers, or Yogic activities, the ubiquitous nature of ॐ is a mystery to many.

Its spiritual and philosophical significance in Hindu tradition is very vast, yet relatively unknown to many. In this article, I will attempt to approach the importance of ॐ from a purely scientific (linguistic) and philosophical perspective.

The Vedas and Vedangas

Derived from the verbal root ‘vid’, meaning ‘to know’, the Vedas are considered the most authentic source of knowledge in the Indian Intellectual Tradition. The Vedas, as shruti, is the most sacred, apauresheya (not created by humans) texts of the Hindus.

According to the tradition, the rishis who ‘composed’ the hymns of the Vedas did not really compose/write those hymns, but they ‘heard/saw’, i.e. perceived them at some otherworldly plane and then expressed them in a human language.

“The hymns were and are always there unchanging beyond our common world of change” (N. Kazanas). Hence, Vedas are also considered ‘Nitya’, or eternal. It is to be noted that the word shabda in Indian Tradition refers to words, sound, and language itself.

Vedas to have been called shabda both in the Purva and the Uttar Mimamsa traditions. Further, the Upanishads present the concept of shabda-brahman, the eternal sound. Since Brahman is Nitya and apaurusheya, so is shabda or the Vedas.

The vast Vedic literature includes the four Vedas. They are Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. Each of them in-turn has four divisions: Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, and Upanishad.

The Vedangas (literally, the ‘limbs of the Vedas’) are the ancillary disciplines, a prerequisite of sorts, for mastering/understanding of the Vedas. There are six in number and include Shiksha (phonetics), Kalpa (rituals), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Chhanda (meter), and Jyotish (astronomy). It is interesting to note that out of these six Vedangas, three (Shiksha, Vyakarana, and Nirukta) are directly related to the field of linguistics.

Hence, we can deduce that the understanding of the language, one way or the other, played a significant role in the understanding of the Vedas. Owing to its overarching position of eminence in the overall intellectual enterprise in ancient India, our ‘rishis’ and ‘acharyas’ delved deeply into the various aspects of language.

The Indian Intellectual Tradition and the Worldview

The Vedas consist of eternal words and the mantras out of which, it is believed, the entire universe can be created. A universe of objective realities exists, because humans can express it through language, Vedic scholars believe.

Nothing exists without a language. Every element, every object, every idea in this world exists because it can be expressed through a language. Rooted in this worldview, the Vedic mantras were recited by the priests at the altar during rituals and ceremonies to produce desired results, say, for example, rain.

Since the language was so central to the Vedic worldview, its purity, correct pronunciation, intonation, etc. was paramount in getting desired results. The necessity of ensuring that no corruption or modification should creep into the sacred Vedic texts (and the language itself) led Indian scholars to discuss, debate and put forward theories of language and discourse.

To start with, there were fierce debates about the efficacy of the Vedic mantras itself. Yaska, the 5th century BCE etymologist, in his Nirukta mentions Kautsa (another grammarian), who believed that Vedic mantras were meaningless.

To counter Kautsa, Yaska asserts that to get the meaning of the Vedic texts, one has to study ‘in the system’. Vedic texts cannot be studied in isolation. Besides the prerequisite of the six Vedangas, one must also understand the three basic concepts of the Vedas – (1) who the rishi (seer) is of the specific section (who perceived it and revealed to the world?). (2) to which devata the mantras are dedicated (for whom it is being said?), and (3) how is it set to meter or chhanda (how is it being said?).

The concept of sound, or shabda, in the Vedic tradition is central to the understanding of the principles of existence. Sound is considered to have three dimensions – the idea of an object, the presence of a speaker, and the subtle form of ether.

Grammarian and philosopher Bhartrihari (late 5th century CE), in his Vakyapadiya, expounded the concept of shabdabrahman, the eternal sound. He postulates four stages of sound: (1) Vaikhari, as the spoken and written form, is the grossest level of speech. When a sound comes out of a speaker’s mouth, it is vaikhari. (2) Madhyama is the unexpressed, mental state of sound, but has most features of vaikhari. Hence, it’s called madhyama, the middle one. (3) Pashayanti, meaning that which can be seen or visualized, is the spiritual, undifferentiated stage. At this stage, the differences between languages do not exist. (4) Para, the fourth stage is the transcendent absolute stage and as such is beyond description.

At this stage, the distinction between the sound and the object merge, and the sound encompasses all the features and qualities of the object.

The Upanishads talk about the relationship between words and objects. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad talks about the unity of the words and the objects they signify. That is to say, the signifier and the signified are not physically distinct from each other.

So, if the words don’t exist, so do the objects they signify. According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, the supreme consciousness Brahman enters into this world with rupa (form) and nama (name), and the world extends as far as the form and the name extend. Meaning, if form and name don’t exist, so does the world.

The Sanskrit Language

Sanskrit is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, languages of the world. It is the precursor of many of the modern Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bangla, etc. As we are aware by now, both the language and the science & philosophy of language have had an important place in the Indian Intellectual Tradition.

As a result, it is but expected to have an extremely advanced tradition of intellectual inquiry in this field. I have already glanced through some of the philosophical discussions. In this section, we will look at the scientific aspect of the language.

Composed in eight chapters, and about 4,000 ‘sutras’, Panini’s Ashtadhyayi (4th century BCE) is considered one of the most complete grammars of any language. L. Bloomfield in his “Language” declares Ashtadhyayi as the “greatest monument of human intelligence”. For our purpose, we will restrict ourselves to the Sanskrit alphabets for now. Sanskrit alphabet is called varnamala, and the letters are called Akshara.

The Akshara in the Sanskrit varnamala has a strict scientific organization. It is to be noted that Akshara or “Without destruction” is called so because the sound is a form of energy and energy is never destroyed. It only changes form. Our rishis and acharyas were well aware of this property of sound and hence the name.

Back to the Sanskrit alphabet, consonants (or vyanjana) of the Sanskrit alphabet are grouped together based on, among other things, places of articulation. Each of this group is further organized into voiced/unvoiced (presence vs. absence of vibration in the vocal cords during pronunciation), aspirated/unaspirated (characterized by presence/absence of strong burst of breath), and nasal sounds (when sound is also allowed through the nasal cavity).

For example, the first group of consonants, the ka-Varg, has the back of the mouth (velum or kanthya) as the articulation point. Similarly, ch-varg, has soft palate (talavya), T-varg hard palate (moordhanya), t-varg root of the teeth (dantya), and p-varg lips (oshthya).

As one can easily notice, there is a natural progression in the organization of these consonants, viz. starting from the back of the mouth (throat) to the front (lips).

Figure 1: Places of Articulation

ॐ as Letter/Sound/Syllable

Om, represented by its symbol (the letter ॐ), is a combination of three sounds/letters – A, U, M (अ, उ, म). Om is considered the eternal sacred sound. It is the sound of creation and as such extremely powerful, infinite, and limitless.

It is also considered the bridge between the inner and outer worlds. Om is Pranava, it is the root syllable (mool mantra) for all vaidik or tantric mantras. Om is the reflection of objective realities.

It is both nama and rupa. Om exists on its own, without reference to anything else. Mandukya Upanishad declares Om as imperishable and everything (Om ityetadaksharam idam sarvam) and uses it to explain Brahman as the ultimate reality (“All this world is the syllable, Om.”). Om is the past, the present, and the future plus whatever there is beyond this three-fold temporal classification.

As the ultimate reality, the Brahman, Om has four stages. The jagrata stage is the awake and alert stage that connects us to various external material bodies and objects. The second is the svapna stage.

This is the stage of dreaming. This is the stage where the consciousness of a living body is overcome by unreal. In this stage of dreaming, one imagines the ‘dream’ (unreal) to be the reality and it has real physical as well as physiological effects on the individual. The third stage is sushupta.

This is the stage of a deep sleep, the stage of complete unawareness and inertness. One doesn’t know what is happening around him/her. This is a stage of objectless subject. The last stage of turiya is the transcendental stage.

This is the stage of total bliss, the sat-chit-ananda, wherein the duality of subject and object ceases to exist. These four stages are manifested in the syllable Om (which is a symbol of Brahman).

The Mandukya Upanishad describes the letters in Om in terms of above mentioned four stages (So’yam-Atma adhyaksharam-omkaro dhimatram pada matra matrasca pada akara ukaro makara iti).

The letter A, as the first letter of Om, is the representation of the jagrata stage. This sound is inherent in all other sounds. One who knows this sound has all desirable objects and is successful. Letter U represents the svapna stage.

As an intermediary, it contains the qualities of both jagrata and sushupta stages. One who knows this sound, “knows the Brahman, the Absolute Reality”, declares the Mandukya Upanishad.

The stage of sushupta is the letter M.  A knower of this can understand all within himself. The fourth turiya stage is the syllable Om itself – soundless and unutterable – hence the real true Self. One who knows this experiences Universal Consciousness.

Om can also be explained within Bhartrihari’s shabdbrahmana framework as well. The entire Universe is the omnipresent ever-expanding sound Om itself. It is as such a representation of the four stages of sound and their existential counterparts.

The sound A at the grossest physical level is the vaikhari. Sound U, in the middle (madhyama), has qualities of both vaikhari and pashayanti. Sound M is the representation of the undifferentiated spiritual pashyanti state.

Finally, the syllable Om itself is the state of Absolute Consciousness, para. One can easily see the connection between the concept of shabdbrahmana and the four avasthas discussed in the previous paragraph. The jagrata avastha is the realm of vaikhari, svapna the realm of madhyama, sushupta the realm of pashyanti, and turiya the realm of para.

Om is also considered the essence of the Veda. According to the Katha Upanishad, the goal of all Vedas is Om, which is indeed Brahman. “This syllable is the highest.

Whoever knows this syllable attains all he desires”, declares the Katha Upanishad. In an article published in the New York Times (June 15, 1879), Max Muller writes: “Om is said to be the essence of the Sama-veda, which, being almost entirely taken from the Rig-veda, may itself be called the essence the Rig-veda. And more than that, the Rig-veda stands for all speech, the Sama-veda for all breath of life, so that Om may be conceived again as the symbol of all speech and all life. Om thus becomes the name not only of all our physical and mental powers, but especially of the living principle, the Prana or spirit … that none of the Vedas with their sacrifices and ceremonies could ever secure the salvation of the worshipper – i.e., that sacred works performed according to the rules of the Vedas are of no avail in the end, but that meditation on Om alone, or that knowledge of what is meant by Om alone, can procure true salvation or true immortality.”

Further, the symbol Om (ॐ) itself represents different levels of reality within which human beings operate. The lowest curve of the symbol is a representation of the jagrata state, the middle curve on the right-hand side represents the svapna state, and the upper curve is the representation of the sushupta state.

On top is a dot with a curve underneath, which separates the dot from the rest. The dot is the representation of the transcend order of reality that is one birthless infinite whole and hence beyond the grasp of the human mind. The entire symbol in itself is the representation of the state of samadhi. It encompasses in it the other three states and transcends them.

When one recites Om, he/she speaks the universal language. It is a language that encompasses within itself all the languages of the world. When we utter a sound/letter, say vowel A, a specific part of the human vocal organ is activated.

When we recite Om, the entire vocal organ is activated. Om is a combination of three sounds/letters – a, u, m (अ, उ, म) – and together they represent the universal Brahman. While pronouncing अ, the most interior (back) part of the open, mouth is used.

अ is also the first letter of the alphabet and is inherently present in all sounds produced by human speech organs. Next up, उ is pronounced from middle to front part.

Finally, with the pronunciation of म sound, the most frontal part of our vocal organ (lips) is used, resulting finally in the closing of the vocal cord. It is also the last letter of the alphabet.

As such, the pronunciation of ॐ is an invocation of the complete alphabet and hence perceptively all possible sounds. Hence, by pronouncing all three sounds अ, उ, म at once in the syllable ॐ, one is able to activate the entire spectrum of the human vocal cord – from the back of the mouth to the middle and front.

And to do this accurately, one must have complete command over the language. So, in a sense, when one pronounces ॐ, it signifies a speaker’s thorough command over the language. And we know from our preceding discussion that those who have command over language are very powerful as the possibilities for them are boundless.

By virtue of having command over the language, one can now create/recreate the entire world, his/her own objective realities. That power is simply profound!

To conclude, in the words of Swami Krishnananda, “Om, therefore, is name and form; form and formless; vibration and consciousness; creation and satchidananda. All this is Om.”

Disclaimer: The facts and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. Indic Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article.

This article was first published on India Facts.

I – AUM – the symbolic meaning

Experiencing India requires you to have an open mind, a willingness to experience the unfamiliar, and the courage to do and see things that can be challenging, provoking, and at times uncomfortable for anyone coming for the first time. The “AUM” symbol (or OM – the symbol in the center) symbolizes the Universe and the ultimate reality. It is the most important Hindu symbols. At the dawn of creation, from emptiness first emerged a syllable consisting of three letters – A-U-M (often written as OM). AUM is considered an original (primal) sound that rang out in the created universe. It is the root mantra. Mantra is a word of great power, usually a combination of Sanskrit syllables used as an invocation, prayer, recited loudly and repeatedly. MA means “the soul, the mind’”, and TRA  means  “protect, lead.” Among several mantras, there is one, most important: mantra OM. It is considered AUM (OM) which represents the three aspects of God: the Brahma (A), the Vishnu (U) and the Shiva (M).

Om: Meaning, Significance, and Method of Chanting

You must have heard, chanted, or seen the word OM at least once. The symbol has been popularized extensively by the yoga community around the world. But what exactly is the meaning and significance of OM?

Meaning of OM

There is no literal English translation of the word OM, simply because it is much more than a term. Ancient rishis and yogis are said to have first experienced this sound in their deep state of meditation. It wasn’t a word but a mere vibration, which a few experienced in their heightened state of awareness. Later, others began chanting it to invoke the same impression of and insight into their meditative experience.

There are numerous interpretations of OM, which stem out of classical Hindu and Tibetian cultures. OM is said to be the sound of void, the personification of the sound of the universe. OM is that vibration, that primordial sound out of which the entire universe emerged — that it is the seed of all creation. Today, western physicists and quantum researchers are trying to study the role of sound at the root of matter.

Importance of OM in yoga

In yogic traditions, the importance of OM is gravely stressed upon. Here, it is not just a symbol but a mantra for connecting with the divine. Sage Patanjali, who laid down the eight–fold path of yoga, describes OM as an expression of Ishvara (God). Chanting the word repeatedly removes all obstacles, and reflecting on its meaning leads to spiritual advancement. 

However, the chanting of OM should not be thought to be in the domain of only those who walk the spiritual path. OM is said to have surprising effects on the human body and mind. Studies reveal that chanting OM can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and stress as well as increase mental alertness and significantly relax the body. Moreover, practitioners have found increased focus, calm, peace and mental steadiness through regular chanting of the word. Some even claim that the vibrational frequency of OM is similar to nature, thus emphasizing on the connectedness between humans and their surroundings. All in all, OM creates a sense of balance within and without.

How to chant OM?

OM is pronounced in a very specific manner. There are four components to it, the A, U, M. Silence is the fourth syllable. Let us look at them individually.

A (Aahhh) – This sound is produced from the throat and the back of the mouth, where the tongue is rooted. You might notice sensations in the lower abdomen at the solar plexus. This connects us to our ego.

U (Ooohh) – The prolonged ooo gradually rolls forward your upper palate as you feel vibrations in your chest and throat chakra. It connects us to our inner true self, something that can’t be seen, touched, or heard.

M (Mmmm) – The sound is produced by gently shutting the lips and bringing the front teeth to touch. You may feel the vibrations soar up towards your crown chakra. The sound allows you to slow down and connect deeply with yourself.

Silence – The fourth dimension is the sound of silence, sometimes called anahata or the unstruck sound. It is the deep sound of cosmic energy, the vibration, which is beyond verbal recognition. It is the experience of stillness and connectedness.

Also watch: Meditation for Stress Relief: Introduction

OM, in essence, means awareness of our own inner peace. OM chanting is a timeless experience, one you shouldn’t definitely try if you haven’t already. Begin simply by including five to 10 rounds of OM chanting at the end of your daily asana practice. You would feel the benefits over time.

“Om” – The Power; The Supreme

When there is nothing in the world; only the sound of Om exists.

Om is the first syllable of every Mantra.

Om, also known as Omkar or Pranav. Om is not religious, but it appears as a traditional symbol and sacred sound in some religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Om belongs to all, it is universal and contains the whole universe.

Om is considered to be the first sound. It is said that the natural sound that existed in the illusion before the physical creation came into existence was the echo of Om. That’s why Om is called the voice of the universe. What does this mean? Somehow the ancient yogis knew what scientists are telling us today: the universe is not permanent.

Nothing is always solid or stable. Everything that vibrates creates a rhythmic vibration that ancient yogis captured in the sound of Om. We are not always conscious of this sound in our daily lives, but we can hear it in autumn leaves, in the waves of the ocean, or in the sound of a conch shell if we listen carefully. The chanting of Om connects and makes us a part of this movement of the entire universe – whether it is the setting sun, the rising moon, the tides, our heartbeat, or the sounds of every atom within our bodies.

When we chant Om, it takes us on a ride of this universal trick through our breath, our awareness and our physical energy, and we begin to understand a deep connection that brings peace to mind and soul.

The sound which is always resonant in the universe is called Om. This fact has also been proved true by many scientific researchers. Years ago our sages had explained this word and told us that it is directly related to the universe i.e. God who is present everywhere.

The word Om or Aum is made up of a combination of three letters which themselves represent Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadev. Its first letter is “A”, which is the first letter to come out of the mouth and its pronunciation puts emphasis on the navel which shows our creation. When we are in the womb and are born, we are connected by our mother to the umbilical cord which comes out of our navel. We get all our food and drink from this. After taking birth, doctors cut it, that is, it is a symbol of Brahma himself, who is our creator.

The second letter of the word Om is “U” which comes out from our heart and represents our living i.e. it is related to Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the world.

The last word of the word Om is “M” which comes out of our throat and produces vibrations there. The throat is related to Lord Shiva who marks the end of our life cycle.

By chanting Om in this way, we invoke Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. That is why this word has been given the most importance in our religion and it has been asked to be chanted before every mantra.

SIGNIFICANCE OF OM

Om is one of the most important spiritual symbols in Hinduism. It refers to Atman (within self) and Brahman (ultimate reality, universe, supreme soul). Om is found at the beginning and end of chapters of the Vedas, Upanishads and other texts. It is used during worship and private prayers, in ritual ceremonies of weddings, at the time of marriage, and sometimes before and during meditation and spiritual practice.

Om is such a word that by uttering it, we can see the communication of positive energy around us. If it is chanted in a quiet place, then we can see some wonderful energy flowing inside us.

It has also been given a lot of importance in yoga because without the pronunciation of the word Om, yoga is considered incomplete. Even in the olden times, when sages went to the mountains and did penance, they used to try to connect themselves with the universe by uttering this word.

With continuous chanting of this mantra and with a concentrated mind, we can directly connect with the universe because it is the sound of the universe. Om is such a word which has no origin or end and every other word or letter is formed by the combination of letters of the same word.

POWER OF OM

You will be surprised to know that other religions have also incorporated Om in themselves, just in a different form. The people of Christianity speak Amen, which signifies this word, similarly, the word Aameen has been used in Islam. Sikhism mentions the word Omkar which describes the qualities of Om. Similarly, it has been included in different forms in other religions like Jainism, Buddhism etc.

There is a mention of the word Omni in English, which means one who is present everywhere and it is also related to Om. The word Om denotes the origin and destruction of the universe, not related to any religion, hence it has been given the highest place in Hinduism. It is beyond all religions which represent all (OM Sound).

OM MEDITATION

The power and illuminating meditation that helps us find peace in this chaotic world are Om Meditation. It is not so simple to just sit and start reciting Om and perform the Meditation. There are certain rules and things to note while practicing Om Meditation.

The word Om is probably more recognized by its symbol, but when it comes to the use of Om, the pronunciation of Om is of paramount importance.

Vedic tradition teaches that sounds were created with a purpose, so it is important to follow the rules of pronunciation, as resonance is associated with meaning. In everyday life, we all know and feel that music, no matter what it is, affects our mood. Similarly, Vedic sounds and words like Om should be chanted according to traditional instructions, to avoid negative resonance as well as get the desired results.

Actually meditating on Om provides relief from any existing mental disturbance or trouble. As will be explained further, when it is chanted with the meaning of OM in mind, you gain awareness of your mental and natural form, which is free from all kinds of limitations at all times.

For these reasons it is important to understand that while meditating on Om, it should not be broken into its three syllables, rather it should be pronounced like two syllables. Nor should the sound be drawn while chanting Om.

Other important instructions to follow while performing OM Meditation are:

Get up early in the morning, preferably in the Brahma Muhurta.

Take a bath and pure yourself externally and internally as well.

Choose a quiet place to sit.

You can sit in Padmasana, Ardhapadmasana, Sukhasana, Vajrasana etc. as per convenience.

Start chanting Om slowly and then for a long time.

Stop when you start taking high breaths.

Repeat it at least 51 or 108 times.

You can chant Om loudly or slowly as per your choice.

After the meditation is over, stay sitting silently.

Get up comfortably from the sitting asana.

During meditation, let your thoughts come and try to concentrate.

Try to keep your mind calm during Meditation.

If possible, drink hot water.

BENEFITS OF OM MEDITATION

OM BRINGS MENTAL PEACE

If you are suffering from stress or are in depression then OM plays an important role in this. For this, with a concentrated mind, close your eyes for some time and chant the Om mantra, due to which positive energy will circulate around you and your mind will be calm. This gives a person a feeling of mental peace and his mental development takes place.

OM IMPROVES DIGESTIVE POWER

By chanting it regularly, your digestive system also works smoothly and your digestive power increases. The problem of indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea etc gets cured. Hunger also increases with the pronunciation of Om.

OM CURES INSOMNIA

If you are troubled by the problem of insomnia or lack of sleep, then this mantra can help you in this too. While sleeping at night, you should chant this mantra with a calm mind and do it for 10 minutes. This will not only make you sleepy, but you will also stay away from negative dreams.

OM STRENGTHENS THE HEART AND LUNGS

The letters you chant in this mantra vibrate in our throat, heart and navel to keep our body parts healthy. Due to this, your lungs become stronger than before and your heart remains healthy.

OM ENSURES SMOOTH BLOOD CIRCULATION

OM Meditation also plays an important role in the smooth flow of blood in your body. By chanting it continuously and daily, the blood circulation in your body remains smoothly, due to which you get many health benefits.

OM CREATES STRONG CONSCIOUSNESS

When we chant the Om mantra, our mind becomes focused and our intellect becomes sharp. By chanting it continuously, your memory increases and your consciousness becomes stronger.

OM DETOXIFIES BODY & MIND

Chanting Om helps in clearing the negative energy present in our body and mind. The vibrations of Om have an almost instant effect on our bodies. By chanting Om, the body starts to loosen up, and the mind becomes light so that your body starts aligning itself with the rhythm and vibrational energy and this effect helps in detoxifying the body.

OM BALANCES THE HEART RATE

Chanting the Om mantra helps to calm the heart and its effect is visible immediately. You must have also felt at one time or another that when you worry too much your heart beats very fast. Om mantra can definitely help you in such times. Close your eyes and chant the Om mantra, let the vibrations of Om go inside the body and gradually it will calm down the heart rate.

OM IMPROVES MOOD SWINGS

Chanting Om with regularity helps in removing the problem of mood swings and also improves the working capacity and performance of the person. Thus it is said that by regularly chanting Om, you can improve your personal as well as professional life.

OM CONTROLS BLOOD PRESSURE

The vibrations of the Om mantra affect every single cell in our body in a positive way. Its effect is not immediately visible, but chanting Om regularly for 30 minutes daily also helps in keeping the blood pressure balanced.

Om in Yoga and Meditation

What ‘om’ means and how and why it is used

What Is Om?

Om is a Sanskrit word and ancient mantra often used in the practices of Hinduism and Buddhism, among other faiths.

 It is sometimes chanted three times at the start and at the finish of a yoga session. It may also be spelled “aum.”

What is Om?

Om is a sacred Hindu syllable and one of the most important mantras in Hinduism.

It is composed of three syllables: A-U-M.

These three syllables represent a number of important trinities, including the three major Hindu gods, the three Vedas scriptures, and the three Gunas.

The syllable is considered to be so powerful and holy that it is said to represent the entire universe and its contents.

The mantra is a concise form of chanting these three aspects together and is used to invoke spiritual guidance, peace, and unity.

It can be said out loud or in one’s mind.

Significance of Om in Hinduism

Om is often referred to as the prime symbol of Hinduism and is said to be the primordial sound from which the universe was created.

The three syllables A-U-M are said to represent the trinity of the three major gods:

1. Brahma (the creator)
2. Vishnu (the preserver)
3. Shiva (the destroyer)

They also symbolize the three gunas, or energies of nature:

1. Sattva (balance and harmony)
2. Rajas (action and enthusiasm)
3. Tamas (inertia and darkness)

A third trinity the three syllables are often said to represent is the three Vedas:

1. Rigveda
2. Yajurveda
3. Samaveda

These three scriptures are considered some of Hinduism’s most important sources of spiritual knowledge.

The sound of Om is believed to be so powerful that it can bring peace, clarity, and unity to one’s mind. It is often chanted in prayers and rituals to connect with the divine, invoke spiritual guidance, and attain inner peace. In some teachings, it is said to help to purify the body by increasing the flow of prana (life force energy).

The Hindu Om is an important symbol in the religion because it embodies spiritual truth and helps to harmonize all aspects of life. By chanting or meditating on the mantra, practitioners hope to become more aware and connected to their inner truth and achieve a higher level of spiritual understanding. Practitioners can then use this knowledge to live in peace, love, and harmony.

Om in Other Religions

Om has also become an important symbol in several non-Hindu religions, such as Buddhism and Jainism. In several later versions of the Buddhist schools, such as Tibetan Buddhism, the mantra is used as part of their meditation practice. Within Buddhism, it is thought to represent wholeness, the infinite, and the ultimate truth of reality. In Jainism, Om is said to represent the Panca-Paramesthi, which are five supreme powers or beings. The initials of these five beings form the word AAAUM, or Om (Aum). In some Hindu-influenced forms of Sikhism, Om is used as a salutation of respect, acknowledgment, and devotion to a singular God.

Many Hindu temples feature an Om symbol.

Lesson Summary

Om is a powerful mantra, syllable, and symbol in Hinduism that embodies spiritual truth, divine energy, and the entire universe. Om is composed of three distinct syllables, A-U-M, and is said to contain all the sounds of creation. It is often chanted or meditated on in order to achieve higher levels of understanding and spiritual awareness. Om is mentioned in several Hindu scriptures and can be seen in many works of art, architecture, and literature. The three syllables AUM symbolize many sacred trinities within Hinduism, including:

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the symbol Om stand for?

The symbol Om stands for several things in Hinduism, including the three main gods Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer); the three gunas or energies of nature: sattva (harmony), rajas (action), and tamas (inertia); the three holy Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda. It is also believed to represent wholeness, the infinite, enlightenment, and the ultimate truth of reality.

Is the Om symbol religious?

Yes, the Om symbol is an important religious symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It has special significance in these religions and is often used during prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices.

Om Symbol Unveiled: Exploring the Origins, History and Spiritual Significance of this Ancient Mantra

Om, aum or ॐ in Sanskrit is a syllable used in several religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Brahmanism. It is also known as udgitha or pranava mantra (“primordial mantra,” the word prāṇa meaning “vital vibration”). In Hinduism, this syllable is considered the original sound from which the Universe was born. She is mentioned in some upaniṣads, notably the Chāndogya Upaniṣad.

The syllable Om comes from the combination of the Sanskrit phonemes A, U and M, which respectively represent the beginning, the continuation and the end of all that exists. It also symbolizes the Hindu trinity composed of the creator gods, Brahmā, the life, Vishnu and the destroyer of evil, lord Shiva. The pronunciation of Om is often described as a sound that emerges from the throat, rolls down the tongue and ends on the lips, symbolizing waking, dreaming and sleeping. It is considered to be the sound of the Universe and is considered to be Brahman in Sanskrit.

Origins of Om

Om (or Aum ॐ) is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, used as a prefix or suffix to mantras. It represents the primal divine vibration of the Universe, symbolizing all existence. The Pranava Upanishad explains its symbolism, and Tantrism emphasizes its importance. Vasugupta’s Spanda-kârikâ recognizes vibration as a manifestation of consciousness, linked to the unconscious. Encountering a manifestation may cause a tremor (kshoba), showing Om’s profound impact.

In Buddhism, particularly Mahāyāna Buddhism, the influence of Hinduism led to the significant adoption of Om, originally absent from Indian Buddhism. It found its place as a prefix or suffix to mantras, notably in the mantra Om mani padme hum. In the Tibetan tradition, “Om” became intertwined with meditation practices, alongside mindfulness and stillness. This transformation illustrates the dynamic interplay of religious traditions in shaping spiritual practices across cultures.

Om, or Aum, transcends its Hindu origins to find relevance in other faiths. In Jainism, it serves as a liberating mantra, used to praise Tirthankaras, acharyas, and ascetic monks. Sikhism, inspired by Vedas, equates Omkara with God, referred to as Oankar. Guru Nanak, the faith’s founder, incorporated it into Sikh inner prayer. Across these diverse religious traditions, Om remains a symbol of profound spiritual significance, bridging the boundaries between faiths and cultures.

History of Om

The OM symbol finds its roots in the ancient cultures of Buddhism and Hinduism. According to Hindu scriptures, the creation of the cosmos and the universe originated from a vibrational sound, with its primal sounds represented by A-U-M. Written evidence of this syllable’s significance dates back to 1500 to 2000 BC in the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit Vedic texts. Furthermore, it appears in later codified texts such as the Yoga Sutra. Yogic teachings emphasize that the repetition of the OM mantra establishes connections with divine origins, offering a profound spiritual practice.

Spiritual Meaning of Om

The “A,” situated in the lower part of the “3” curve within the Om symbol, signifies the awakened state, known as Vaishvanara. It denotes the condition in which an individual orients themselves outward, toward others. Additionally, it symbolizes the state of exploration that follows birth and encompasses the conscious facet of our psyche. This element is closely associated with the root and sacral chakras, forming the foundational aspects of creation and life at the primary level.

The “M,” represented by the curve on the right, serves as the emblem of deep sleep and the realm of the psychic unconscious. It is linked to Prajna, the innermost essence of one’s self, embodying the purest form of one’s being. It signifies both the conclusion of one phase and the inception of another, embodying aspects of both destruction and birth. This aspect finds its connection to the crown and third-eye chakras, which are intertwined with higher consciousness and spirituality.

Significance of Om Symbol

The AUM symbol represents the universe, including past, present, and future. It embodies the divine vibrations that created the universe and is infused with powerful energies. It is the source of life and existence. In Hindu and Buddhist cultures, it is highly sacred.

The OM symbol is common in everyday life and represents spiritual perfection in Hindu and Buddhist spirituality. People wear it as jewelry or decorate their homes with it. Temples and spiritual sanctuaries display paintings of the symbol. A traditional ritual involves inscribing it on a newborn’s tongue with honey as a blessing, emphasizing its spiritual importance.

Om Symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism

Certain bells, like those used in Buddhism, are meticulously designed to produce the resonant chords of the Om sound. Repeating the Om mantra multiple times at the correct pitch allows individuals to establish a profound connection with the Universe. The more it is repeated, the more it stirs the soul and soothes the heart. Om possesses an almost magical ability to usher individuals into a state of profound well-being.

The effects of the Buddhist symbol on the body and the mind are manifold. The pronunciation or chanting of the Om sound yields numerous benefits for both the body and the mind. Om, a sacred syllable in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, embodies both a sound and a symbol deeply ingrained in the fabric of these civilizations. According to Om, the cycle of life remains infinite, in perpetual motion and evolution, with no end in sight.

Om Symbol in Meditation and Yoga

In yoga, repeating the Om mantra helps focus and calm the mind, reducing stress and anxiety. The vibrations of Om on the 7 chakras bring relaxation and dispel doubt and anxiety. Reciting the mantra restores self-confidence, inner peace, and mental harmony, replacing bad energies with joy and spiritual well-being.

While meditating, chanting Om vibrates the vocal cords and clears the lungs. This vibration affects the rib cage, promoting gas exchange and improving blood and lymphatic circulation. It unclogs sinuses and oxygenates the lungs and organs. Reciting the mantra vibrates the brain and cranial nerves, affecting nerve cells and endocrine glands, promoting hormonal balance.

OM: 10 Amazing Meanings, History, and Uses of The Sacred Syllable

Do you know the first and best chant most famous around the world? It’s OM!

You might know this already; the sound of the creation of the universe or the big bang is believed to be OM.

Indic religions believe the first sound to emerge from the emptiness during creation was OHM. It’s uttered before every mantra, chant, and religious ritual in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

People around the world know it as OM, AUM, Omkara, Onkara, Pranava, Udgitha, Aksara, Am, Avam, and Ong, besides OHM. That may be why it’s used in many places such as India, Tibet, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, China, Japan, South Korea, and the Maldives.

OM: 10 Amazing Meanings, History, and Uses of The Sacred Syllable

Do you know chanting impacts your entire body? Not to say it doesn’t affect the mind and soul, but physical effects are more visible, right?

If you’ve been to yoga classes, you’re already acquainted with chanting OHM but perhaps not its meanings. Today we’ll talk about its history, ten definitions, symbolic meanings, healing powers, and the right way to use it.

Let’s chant!

Basics Of OM

Do you know the first and best chant most famous around the world? It’s OM!

You might know this already; the sound of the creation of the universe or the big bang is believed to be OM.

Indic religions believe the first sound to emerge from the emptiness during creation was OHM. It’s uttered before every mantra, chant, and religious ritual in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

People around the world know it as OM, AUM, Omkara, Onkara, Pranava, Udgitha, Aksara, Am, Avam, and Ong, besides OHM. That may be why it’s used in many places such as India, Tibet, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, China, Japan, South Korea, and the Maldives.

Meaning Of OM by cultures

Scientifically, the frequency of OM is 432 Hz, which is also called the music or pitch of the universe. But spiritually, chanting OM is meant to provide the reciter with personal power, enlightenment, and cosmic wisdom.

Let’s find out its meanings throughout different religions.

There are two different meanings of OM in Buddhism, from Tibetan Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism.

In Tibetan Buddhism, we have already learned all about the meaning of OM through OM Mane Padme Hum, which means “jewel in the lotus.” Technically, the verse refers to Buddha and the condensed form of Buddha’s 84,000 universal doctrines and Om denotes oneness.

In a recent article on Tibetan Warrior Syllables, we also learned how important OM is in Tibetan meditation. According to Rinpoche’s teachings we discussed, reciting OM continuously for a week or a month helps you achieve clarity and enter the element of light.

In Japanese Buddhism, OM is referred to as A-un or A-hum. It refers to the beginning and the end of the universe.

Scholars and psychics agree this is also a reference to the Christian belief of Alpha and the Omega. Interestingly, alpha and OMega are also the first and last letters in Greek alphabets.

Many Japanese scholars consider a-un as a breathing technique essential for prayer rituals.

By Hinduism, OM denotes the complete essence of Parabhrahman or Ultimate Reality or Consciousness. It’s chanted via mantras like OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, and OM Shanti OM.

Another common use of OM in Hinduism is to worship God Siva like this- OM Namah Shivaya.

When it comes to Jainism, OM is the short form for revering the “Five Supreme Beings.” These are- the Soul or Arihant, the Liberated or Ashiri, the Teacher or Acharya, the Guru Upajjyaya, and the Monk or Muni.

Sikhs utter a different spelling of OM, but their beliefs about the meaning are similar to other cultures. OM is called Ik Onkar, meaning OM Maker in Sikhism. It refers to the One God, the creator of time and space.

Interestingly, there’s a western meaning and history of OM attributed to the English Occultist Aleister Crowley.

In his religion of Thelema, OM is spelled as AUMGN and pronounced with a silent “g” and a nasalized “n.” Aleister Crowley defined OM as the breath of life or the combination of knowledge and generation.

Ten Meanings Of AUM To Understand It completely

Throughout different religions, the meaning of OM is diverse, varied, and vast. I’ll describe it as briefly as possible so that you can meditate on these thoughts while you’re chanting them.

By Time Past, Present, and Future
By States of the Self Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Universal Connection
By Consciousness Waking, Dreaming, Deep Sleep (Subconscious), Ekatma (One with the self)
By Knowledge A- Apti (obtaining), U- Utkarsa (Exaltation), M- Miti (Construction/ Annihilation), and fourth silent element- beyond the universe.
By Gender Feminine, Masculine, the Neutral Gender
By Light Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air), and Aditya (Sun)
By Heat Breath, Fire, and Sun
By Growth Food, Water, and Moon
By Thought Buddhi (Intelligence), the combination of Buddhi and Manas (Intelligence + Heart), Citta (Cognition)
By Gods A-Brahma, U- Vishnu, and M- Siva

Meaning Of The Symbol OM

While a lot of people refer to the Sanskrit symbol for OM as two or three letters, the holy book of Hinduism- Bhagavat Gita refers to it as a single letter.

That just means it’s a complicated topic.

The dot you see on top refers to Samadhi, which means spiritual bliss. It’s defined as the highest consciousness or one’s connection with the divine energy. The dot is the vibration that follows when you chant OM in pronunciation.

The crescent or semicircle you see above represents “Maya,” which means illusion in Sanskrit. Scholars say it represents the materialistic obstacles you need to overcome to achieve enlightenment and purity of the self.

The top and bottom curves represent dream state and wakefulness, respectively.

The top represents the God Shiva and the bottom God Brahma.

The middle curve you see represents the state of unconsciousness or the God Vishnu.

By understanding the whole meaning of AUM, you’ll find it easy to meditate upon these thoughts while chanting OHM during a singing bowl session.

Healing Properties Of OHM

Chanting is a therapeutic use of sound healing for entering the meditative state of theta brainwaves, as we learned recently.

Science says that repeatedly chanting OM opens your vocal cords to clear the sinuses. Chanting OM combines sound and vibration, leading to a better heart rate and improved blood pressure.

Simultaneously, your mind relaxes in the theta state, and stress vanishes. It can also reduce tension, negative thoughts, anxiety, and restlessness.

Read more about it in our article on five ways sound impacts our physiology, psychology, behavior, cognition, and spiritual awareness.

How To Use OM For Healing?

You know the meaning and benefits of OM by now.

Let’s see how you can use it in your daily life.

Chanting is the best way to embrace the healing powers of OM.

You can chant it silently or aloud based on personal preferences. As for me, I chant it aloud when I’m alone and silently when I’m with others.

The second best way to use it is for powering up the energy of your affirmations.

Moreover, it will help you awaken the theta brainwave state for meditation and yoga in the same way too. When it comes to meditation and yoga, you can recite OM at the start, during the ritual, or even after you’re done.

If you want to connect more with the magic of OM, wear jewelry with the symbol of OM engraved on it. I find it best for tuning manifestations via the sigil method.

Do you know OM is also the seed mantra of the two highest chakras of Third Eye and Crown? That’s why you can easily tap into spirit communication, intuition, and other psychic abilities by chanting and listening to OM.

The last healing use of OM is listening to the sound healing vibrations of singing bowls. You can chant the mantra or simply listen to the sound bowl chanting it.

Now you know why singing bowls are called OHM bowls!

Start Chanting OM With OHM Bowls To Amplify Healing Energies 

OM is matter, body, spirit, mind, and the universe. In short, AUM is everything. And that’s not just from Buddhism, but several cultures and religions, as we learned above.

Chanting OM right after waking up helps me get my healing vibrations to start the day with maximum positivity.

I also prefer to use the Ancient OHM bowl to help me focus better during chanting affirmations, yoga, and meditation.

Do you know how to pronounce OM? Here’s a video from Pronounce TV worth checking out if you’re unsure how to chant it.

How to Pronounce “Ohm”

Feel free to share what OHM means to you with us!

The Meaning Behind The Om Symbol & Sound, Plus How To Use It Respectfully

As far as the physical symbol of Om, its various curves and lines represent five states of consciousness:

• The lower left curve represents the conscious, waking state of being.
• The top left curve is the unconscious state.
• The lower right curve is the dream state—the state between the waking and the unconscious.
• The semicircle at the top is the maya state. “Maya means “illusion”; the biggest obstacle to spiritual development,” explains Kumar.
• The dot at the top represents the absolute state. “It’s the highest state of consciousness; the ultimate state of spiritual bliss when you can just be,” she says.

Why is the Om symbol so important?

Om is considered sacred in the Hindu religion. Kumar notes, “We say Om before every Sanskrit prayer, text, any recitation of anything sacred. It’s considered the highest sacred symbol of Hinduism.” Repeating Om as a mantra can have powerful effects on one’s overall state. Doing so is thought to help center the mind, body, and spirit, elevate consciousness, deepen focus, and build compassion.

How can I respectfully use it in my practice?

If you are not traditionally Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain but appreciate the meaning behind Om, you can still integrate the sound and symbol into your spiritual practice. But when you’re using something so sacred, it’s important to do so with respect. Here are two ways to use Om that acknowledge its history and significance:

1.

1. As a chant

As we now know, chanting Om can have powerful effects on the body and mind. If you want to try it, Kumar recommends first recognizing its history and context, then saying it either silently or aloud while meditating or doing yoga.

“It’s meant to be said slowly,” she notes. “It’s meant to increase your mental and emotional vibration. You can repeat Om while meditating [to help with] focus, or you can chant it three times before yoga.”

2. As a symbol

If learning about the symbol for Om and what it represents makes you want to incorporate it into your life, feel free to add it to your at-home meditation or prayer space. Let it serve as a reminder of your connection to the universe, as well as the unification of the mind, body, and spirit.

What is the Meaning of the Om Symbol? Spiritual Wisdom, History + Uses of the Om Sound

Whether you’ve seen it on yoga clothing, as a tattoo, on jewelry, or painted on the wall of a yoga class, the Om symbol (ॐ) is a universal representation of yoga and meditation practices. You have probably heard it chanted in yoga classes and repeated in meditation practices. It is a reminder of peacefulness, unity, and spirituality that can now be found around the world.

The Om symbol represents the truth of ultimate reality, as well as a oneness and connection with the whole world. It is a sacred syllable that originated in the ancient teachings of Hindu and Buddhist religions.

Both the visual and audible elements of this traditional symbol have profound, often hidden meanings. The sound Om itself represents the primordial beginnings of the universe and can be chanted to activate the third eye, crown chakra, and even the vagus nerve (more on this below).

But there is so much more to this symbol than just a chant or the “3-shaped” design. If you’re confused about the Om symbol meaning, its history, and the spiritual meaning (and even physical health benefits) of chanting Om, this is the article for you.

What does the Om symbol symbolize?

Om (or Aum) is an ancient sacred sound and symbol closely linked to spiritual awakening. It is one of the most important spiritual symbols in Eastern philosophy.

At its core, Om represents Ultimate Reality. In other words, it encompasses all the spiritual states one can exist in. It also symbolizes the Universe as a whole. It is said that, at the dawn of creation, Om was the first syllable to emerge from the emptiness.

The 3-shaped imagery of Om is also representative of a holy trinity that links together many symbols of “threes” in Eastern philosophy:

The three letters A U M: The sacred Om syllable is actually pronounced more like “a-u-m” during chants and mantras

The three worlds: Earth, ether, and atmosphere

The three aspects of time: Past, present, and future

The three holy trinity, or three Hindu deities responsible for creating, upkeeping, and destroying the world: Brahma (Hindu God of Creation), Vishnu (Hindu God of Preservation), and Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction of the Universe)

The three original scriptures of the Vedas: Rg, Yajur, and Sama

The three qualities, or “gunas”, of nature: Sattva (harmony), Raja (movement), and Tamas (inertia)

Three different states of consciousness: The waking state, the dreaming state, and the deep sleep state

This final point is particularly poignant in the visual symbolism of Om because each curve of the calligraphy represents a different state of mind or consciousness:

The Waking State: The lower left curve symbolizes regular waking life, or our lowest level of spiritual existence based solely on the material world.

The Dream State: The right middle curve represents the state between waking and unconsciousness, or the dreaming state

The Unconscious State: The left upper curve stands for the subconscious or unconscious mind of “deep sleep”. This is where the mind shuts down and doesn’t desire anything.

In addition, the other two key marks of the Om symbol complete the representation of the psycho-spiritual journey:

Maya (Illusion): The top upper curve or semicircle is symbolic of all the obstacles to spiritual development. These illusions can come from society or the world and block us from enlightenment.

The Transcendental State: The ultimate state of spiritual bliss is represented by the dot at the very top of the symbol. This is the highest state of consciousness where one can just Be, without influence from the outer world.

How do you pronounce Om or Aum?

Om is pronounced with three phonetic components:

A= aaauuu (represents creation, or the waking state)

U= ooooo (represents manifestation, or the dream state)

M= mmmm (represents destruction, or the unconscious state)

Om chanting can help bring a peacefulness and spiritual awareness into your body. You should breathe inhale before beginning the sound and hold each syllable for as long as possible during the exhale.

As you repeat the mantra, it helps to focus on the vibrations in your body, specifically the vocal chords, chest, and stomach. This resonance is has a plethora of physical benefits as well as mental benefits, including:

Lowering blood pressure

Relaxing the stomach

Calming the mind

Harnessing creative energy

Bringing spirituality into everyday unenlightened life (don’t worry, Om is still useful for those of us who aren’t an enlightened Buddha)

Purposefully beginning or ending a yoga class by reminding ourselves that yoga is far more than a physical asana practice

The Sacred Sound of Om

Om is considered sacred and should never be used in a derogatory or disrespectful way. The sacred syllable Om is a bija or seed mantra. It is incorporated into nearly every Sanskrit chant or mantra. While there are seed mantras for every chakra (energetic center) in the body, Om is the most commonly used bija mantra in meditation. It is directly correlated with Sahasrara (the crown chakra), which is linked to enlightenment and spiritual transformation.

Both Buddhist and Hindu traditions assert that the om sound energizes and aligns the chakras. It helps us connect to our divine spiritual core and harness a sense of inner peace.

In Hinduism, the sound Om (or Aum) is considered the first sound of the universe. The vibrational frequency of Aum is believed to be the origin of all other sounds, vibrations, and life forms. Because it is the primordial sound of the universe, chanting Om is particularly transcendental. It calms the mind and senses, syncs the breath, and helps practitioners reach a more elevated consciousness.

In Buddhism, the Om sound is considered the sound from which the gods were created. It is often the very first word in a Buddhist mantra. In Tibetan Buddhism, the syllable Om represents the ultimate reality and the final truth of all things that exist.

Similar to the Christian use of “amen” or the Islamic “amin”, the word Om is often chanted at the end of a prayer to evoke more divine energy.

Science of Om and the Nervous System

Interestingly, modern research has found that chanting Om can activate the Vagus Nerve. This is the largest nerve in the body that helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. As opposed to the “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system helps your body enter a “rest and digest”. It is linked to controlling your mood, blood pressure, heart rate, and level of calmness.

Chanting Om for as little as 5 minutes nerve is scientifically proven to help:

Promote relaxation

Lower heart rate

Reduce anxiety

Get out of “fight or flight” mode

Reduce stress

Reduce depression

Elevate mood

Neuroscience research has even found that vibrational effects of the audible Om chant help activate the resting parts of the brain. In the future, vagal nerve stimulation and chanting om may be used as treatment for depression and epilepsy.

Meaning of Chanting Om Mani Padme Hum

The syllable Om is the beginning of a vast range of chants and mantras. You can also chant Om on its own for the powerful effects described above.

One of the most popular chants in Tibetan Buddhism is Om Mani Padme Hum, which literally translates to “praise to the jewel in the lotus”.

These words are often repeated between 21 and 108 times for a divine blessing. This mantra is considered to be healing and purifying. It is important to think about yourself and all the human beings, animals, insects, and plants in a compassionate way while repeating this chant.

The meaning behind Om Mani Padme Hum requires a metaphorical investigation into its Sanskrit roots:

Om: In this chant, the word Om signifies the beginning a blessing and the practice of generosity.

Ma: Ma means practicing pure ethics.

Ni: Ni is all about tolerance and patience for yourself and for others as you work toward reaching spiritual perfection.

Pa: The fourth syllable signifies perseverance in ones meditation practice and spiritual awareness.

Me: This syllable represents concentration.

Hum: The final syllable is about achieving perfection through wisdom.

This interpretation is from Dilgo Khynetse Rinpoche in The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones. You can see that perfection is a really common theme in the Buddhist associations with the Om symbol. That’s because this symbol is all about wholeness, cohesiveness, and a perfect oneness with the everything in universe.

Origins of Om Symbol

The Om symbol was first mentioned in ancient texts called The Vedas some 5,000 years ago. It was likely first proposed in the last books of the Vedas called the Upanishads. The Upanishads covered a wide range of esoteric teachings from sages and gurus, including meditation, consciousness, philosophy, and variety of rituals and ceremonies.

The aim of these religious texts were primarily to figure out the nature of the Atman (self) and how to harmonize oneself with the universe. Written in the traditional language of Sanskrit, these religious and spiritual teachings would later form the foundation for Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.

The Om symbol quickly became revered by Eastern faiths and has since been incorporated into religious texts, inscriptions, and traditions around the world. It has been interpreted as a mystic sound, a tool for meditation, and as an affirmation to something divine. It can be found throughout Southeast Asia painted on temples, engraved on statues, in depictions of gods, as well as a core component of sacred tattoos.

The Om symbol has also found its way to the Westernized world through the popularity of yoga, meditation, and Eastern philosophical practices.

Is it okay to wear Om symbol?

The Om symbol is considered cross-cultural and not particularly affiliated with any one religion or belief.

Even in India, there is conflict amongst different groups about whether or not it’s ok to wear the Om symbol in jewelry, clothing, or other expressions. Some Hindus assert that it is not offensive as long as the Om is held in a respectful sense (for example, as earrings or a ring, but not as a bathroom accessory or joke). In this sense, the wearing the Om symbol represents positivity, joy, unity, and a reminder to cultivate spiritual awareness in your daily life.

Other Hindis find wearing the Om symbol as insulting, especially when it is accessorized by non-Hindu westerners. As with Buddha or Unilome tattoos, some also believe that getting the Om symbol tattooed on your body is a form of cultural appropriation that is disrespectful to Hindu tradition.

Your decision to wear the Om symbol is a personal one. This is one of the most important spiritual symbols for yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, and eastern philosophy.

If you understand the Om symbol meaning and use it in a respectful way, you may find it perfectly moral to wear the Om symbol on your body. It can also be incorporated into your yoga and meditation practices in both its audible and visual form.

Using Om in a Yoga Class

If you are an avid yoga practitioner or yoga teacher, you may wonder how or why many yogis chant Om before or after a yoga practice. Sharing in a resonant vibration with your students can be impactful and unifying. It also activates a state of calmness before entering meditation or Savasana.

Regardless of if you follow Buddhist or Hindu faith traditions, it is typically considered acceptable to chant Om in a yoga class as long as it is used in a respectful manner. After all, Om represents compassion, acceptance, and oneness with the entire universe. The Aum chant reminds us that yoga is far more than just a physical (asana) practice.

When leading an Om chant, consider explaining the significance of each part of the syllable Om:

A: “Ahhh” or “awe” starts at the back of the throat and gets stretched out, vibrating your chest. It symbolizes the waking state and creation.

U: The second syllable is pronounced as a long “oooo” that gradually rolls forward along the upper palate of the mouth. It should vibrate the throat. This represents the dream state and manifestation.

M: The long “mmmm” part of the Om syllable involves lightly touching the front teeth. This vibrates the top of the mouth and signifies the unconscious state or deep sleep state and destruction.

Silence: The final syllable of Aum represents the silence of the infinite universe. As the “mmm” fades off, allow the room to become completely silent before starting the next round of Om chanting.

Bringing all of these sounds together helps echo the sound of the universe and integrate mind, body, and spirit into one. You can chant Om as many times as you’d like, however 3 to 9 times are the most common.

Key Takeaways: The Om Symbol Meaning is Complex and Spiritual

These days, the Om symbol is found nearly everywhere in the yoga world, yet most people don’t understand its historical and spiritual meaning.

As a sound, Om is a mystic syllable that symbolizes the origin of the Universe, according to Hindu belief. It was the very first sound of creation and is also considered a seed syllable for Sanskrit chants and mantras. It was first written in the ancient Vedic texts some 5,000 years ago.

In its visual form, the Om symbol represents a variety of holy trinity references as well as the three main states of consciousness: waking state, dream state, and deep sleep.

Both the auditory and visual form of Om can be used to elevate your spiritual awareness and help you connect to higher levels of consciousness and inner peace.

FAQs

What does this symbol mean ?

The 🕉 emoji is the Om symbol, which represents the primordial sound of the universe and symbolizes the ultimate spiritual state of connecting everything together in oneness.

Is Om a religious symbol?

The Om symbol is a spiritual symbol closely associated with Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. However, it is widely used in yoga and meditation practices and isn’t necessarily exclusively linked to these religions. Om symbolizes the consciousness or sound of the universe and is often used in chants and mantras, as well as decorations, altars, and clothing.

Om Symbol Unveiled: Exploring the Origins, History and Spiritual Significance of this Ancient Mantra

Om, aum or ॐ in Sanskrit is a syllable used in several religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Brahmanism. It is also known as udgitha or pranava mantra (“primordial mantra,” the word prāṇa meaning “vital vibration”). In Hinduism, this syllable is considered the original sound from which the Universe was born. She is mentioned in some upaniṣads, notably the Chāndogya Upaniṣad.

The syllable Om comes from the combination of the Sanskrit phonemes A, U and M, which respectively represent the beginning, the continuation and the end of all that exists. It also symbolizes the Hindu trinity composed of the creator gods, Brahmā, the life, Vishnu and the destroyer of evil, lord Shiva. The pronunciation of Om is often described as a sound that emerges from the throat, rolls down the tongue and ends on the lips, symbolizing waking, dreaming and sleeping. It is considered to be the sound of the Universe and is considered to be Brahman in Sanskrit.

Origins of Om

Om (or Aum ॐ) is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, used as a prefix or suffix to mantras. It represents the primal divine vibration of the Universe, symbolizing all existence. The Pranava Upanishad explains its symbolism, and Tantrism emphasizes its importance. Vasugupta’s Spanda-kârikâ recognizes vibration as a manifestation of consciousness, linked to the unconscious. Encountering a manifestation may cause a tremor (kshoba), showing Om’s profound impact.

In Buddhism, particularly Mahāyāna Buddhism, the influence of Hinduism led to the significant adoption of Om, originally absent from Indian Buddhism. It found its place as a prefix or suffix to mantras, notably in the mantra Om mani padme hum. In the Tibetan tradition, “Om” became intertwined with meditation practices, alongside mindfulness and stillness. This transformation illustrates the dynamic interplay of religious traditions in shaping spiritual practices across cultures.

Om, or Aum, transcends its Hindu origins to find relevance in other faiths. In Jainism, it serves as a liberating mantra, used to praise Tirthankaras, acharyas, and ascetic monks. Sikhism, inspired by Vedas, equates Omkara with God, referred to as Oankar. Guru Nanak, the faith’s founder, incorporated it into Sikh inner prayer. Across these diverse religious traditions, Om remains a symbol of profound spiritual significance, bridging the boundaries between faiths and cultures.

History of Om

The OM symbol finds its roots in the ancient cultures of Buddhism and Hinduism. According to Hindu scriptures, the creation of the cosmos and the universe originated from a vibrational sound, with its primal sounds represented by A-U-M. Written evidence of this syllable’s significance dates back to 1500 to 2000 BC in the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit Vedic texts. Furthermore, it appears in later codified texts such as the Yoga Sutra. Yogic teachings emphasize that the repetition of the OM mantra establishes connections with divine origins, offering a profound spiritual practice.

Spiritual Meaning of Om

The “A,” situated in the lower part of the “3” curve within the Om symbol, signifies the awakened state, known as Vaishvanara. It denotes the condition in which an individual orients themselves outward, toward others. Additionally, it symbolizes the state of exploration that follows birth and encompasses the conscious facet of our psyche. This element is closely associated with the root and sacral chakras, forming the foundational aspects of creation and life at the primary level.

The “M,” represented by the curve on the right, serves as the emblem of deep sleep and the realm of the psychic unconscious. It is linked to Prajna, the innermost essence of one’s self, embodying the purest form of one’s being. It signifies both the conclusion of one phase and the inception of another, embodying aspects of both destruction and birth. This aspect finds its connection to the crown and third-eye chakras, which are intertwined with higher consciousness and spirituality.

Significance of Om Symbol

The AUM symbol represents the universe, including past, present, and future. It embodies the divine vibrations that created the universe and is infused with powerful energies. It is the source of life and existence. In Hindu and Buddhist cultures, it is highly sacred.

The OM symbol is common in everyday life and represents spiritual perfection in Hindu and Buddhist spirituality. People wear it as jewelry or decorate their homes with it. Temples and spiritual sanctuaries display paintings of the symbol. A traditional ritual involves inscribing it on a newborn’s tongue with honey as a blessing, emphasizing its spiritual importance.

Om Symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism

Certain bells, like those used in Buddhism, are meticulously designed to produce the resonant chords of the Om sound. Repeating the Om mantra multiple times at the correct pitch allows individuals to establish a profound connection with the Universe. The more it is repeated, the more it stirs the soul and soothes the heart. Om possesses an almost magical ability to usher individuals into a state of profound well-being.

The effects of the Buddhist symbol on the body and the mind are manifold. The pronunciation or chanting of the Om sound yields numerous benefits for both the body and the mind. Om, a sacred syllable in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, embodies both a sound and a symbol deeply ingrained in the fabric of these civilizations. According to Om, the cycle of life remains infinite, in perpetual motion and evolution, with no end in sight.

Om Symbol in Meditation and Yoga

In yoga, repeating the Om mantra helps focus and calm the mind, reducing stress and anxiety. The vibrations of Om on the 7 chakras bring relaxation and dispel doubt and anxiety. Reciting the mantra restores self-confidence, inner peace, and mental harmony, replacing bad energies with joy and spiritual well-being.

While meditating, chanting Om vibrates the vocal cords and clears the lungs. This vibration affects the rib cage, promoting gas exchange and improving blood and lymphatic circulation. It unclogs sinuses and oxygenates the lungs and organs. Reciting the mantra vibrates the brain and cranial nerves, affecting nerve cells and endocrine glands, promoting hormonal balance.

The Meaning of the Om Symbol – A Secret in Sound

In Hinduism, the syllable Om, also spelled as ‘Aum’, is a sacred sound known as the sound of the universe. It’s considered the greatest of all the mantras and sacred formulas, appearing at the beginning and the end of most Sanskrit prayers, texts and recitations.

If you’ve ever visited a yoga class, you may have heard this syllable chanted at the beginning and end of the session. It’s also used as a powerful meditation tool. The word sounds consists of three syllables and when chanted in the right way, it has a calm and relaxing effect on the mind and body.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the origin of the symbol, dig up a little history and explore the meaning of the sacred Om syllable and sound.

History of the Om Symbol

The Om sound and symbol are known by several names, including:

• Aum – which are the three syllables of the sound
• Pranava – which means the giver of life
• Omkara – which means female divine energy and the giver of life
• Udgitha – which likely means chanting

The syllable Om originated in the late Vedic Sanskrit texts of religious ideas and teachings, also called the ‘Upanishads’, roughly around 5000 years ago. The om syllable and its corresponding symbol are unique to Hinduism and other religions of India, including Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.

The symbol became highly revered by Hindu devotees. From the 6^th century onwards, the written representation of om was used to mark the beginning of a text in inscriptions and manuscripts. Today, Om remains one of the most revered symbols in the world just like it was when it first originated.

Meaning and Symbolism of Om

The Om symbol is rich in depth and meaning. The symbol of Om represents unity, creation, intuition, knowledge.

On a more spiritual level, the symbolic meaning becomes more complex. The symbol consists of several elements including three curves, a semicircle on the top, and a dot just above it. There are numerous interpretations surrounding the symbol.

1. Lower Curve

This represents the waking state in which consciousness is turned out and away from the gates of the senses.

2. Upper Curve

This denotes a state of deep sleep, also called the unconscious state. It’s in this state that the sleeper doesn’t desire anything or even dream.

3. Middle Curve

This lies just between the state of deep sleep and the waking state. It symbolizes the dream state in which the consciousness of the sleeper is turned inwards and they see an enthralling view of the world.

4. Semicircle

The semicircle above the three curves symbolizes maya and keeps the dot separated from the other curves. The illusion of maya is what prevents one from realizing the highest state of bliss which we struggle to achieve.

If you look at the symbol closely, you’ll see that the semicircle is open and doesn’t touch the dot which means that the maya does not affect the highest state but the manifested phenomenon. In simpler terms, it prevents one from reaching the ultimate goal.

5. The Dot

This represents the fourth state of consciousness which is transcendental, blissful, and peaceful. It is the highest state of consciousness to achieve.

Triadic Meanings of Om

Om also represents the word of god and is the primary vibe, the vibration from which every single material thing in the universe originates. The threefold nature of the symbol is central to its meaning and stands for important triads, including the following:

• The three worlds: The atmosphere, the earth and the heaven
• The three sacred Vedic scriptures: Rig, Sama and Yajur
• The three main Hindu gods: Vishnu, Siva and Brahma

Hindus see the Om as a fundamental component of the metaphysical and physical principles of Hinduism. One of the most chanted symbols in India, those who chant it say that it has a profound effect on the mind and body. The Hindus consider it to be the universal name of the Lord, surrounding all of creation.

Connection Between Om and Lord Ganesha

Some Hindu devotees claim to see similarities between the shape of the Om and the shape of Lord Ganesha’s body (the Hindu god of Beginnings, depicted with the head of an elephant).

The curves on the left side of the symbol loosely represent his head and belly while the curve on the right side is his trunk. The semi-circular curve with the dot on top is the sweetmeat ball seen in Ganesha’s hand.  

Ganesha is the god who removes all obstacles,. This correlates to the meaning of Om, which is that one must overcome all obstacles and let everything go before being able to reach the absolute state of being.

The Sound of Om for Relaxation

When chanting Om correctly, the sound reverberates through the entire body, filling it with tranquillity and energy. Physically, the act of chanting it relaxes the body, slows down the nervous system and calms and relaxes the mind.

Many yoga or meditation classes begin with the chanting of om. As such, the symbol and the sound are widely known across the globe, even in the West where Easter practices have become highly popular.

On YouTube, you will find videos that play back the sound of Om for hours at a time. Listening to such sounds is believed to be calming and removes negativity and mental blocks.

Om Symbol in Use Today – Jewelry and Fashion

The Om symbol is highly popular in jewelry and is usually worn as a fashion statement in the west. However, if you’re travelling to the East, it can cause some conflict since wearing a sacred and revered symbol may be controversial.

The free-flowing lines and curving swirls of the om symbol make it an ideal design for elegant jewelry. It can also be stylized for a modern take on the design.

Jewelry featuring the symbol has gained popularity since it represents unity and can be used as a reminder to slow down, breathe and focus one’s mind. The symbol is also popular in contemporary body art and tattoos. Below is a list of the editor’s top picks featuring the Om symbol.

Because the Om symbol has meanings that transcend religion, it can be worn by even those who are non-believers and still have meaning.

In Brief

The Om symbol and sound are both highly popular and in use around the globe by people from various cultures and walks of life. Although it’s a symbol of the Hindu religion, in the West, the symbol has become a representation of meditation and is associated with spirituality.

THE HINDU OM SYMBOL – THE SACRED SOUND OF AUM

The Om (or Aum) sign is the main symbol of Hinduism. Most religions indicate that creation began with sound– In the beginning was the word… For the Hindus & Buddhists, Om is the primordial sound, the first breath of creation, the vibration that ensures existence. Om sign signifies God, Creation, & the One-ness of all creation.

The Om 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.

Aum is said to be the essence of all mantras, the highest of all matras or divine word (shabda), brahman (ultimate reality) itself. Aum is said to be the essence of the Vedas.

By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe.

“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.”

~ Upanishad I ~

“A” stands for Creation

“U” stands for Preservation

“M” stands for Destruction or Dissolution

This is representative of the Trinity of God in Hindu dharma (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).

The three portions of AUM relate to the states of waking, dream, deep sleep, and the three gunas (rajas, satva, tamas).

The three letters also indicates three planes of existence, heaven (swarga), earth (martya), and netherworld (patala).

All the words produced by the human vocal organ can be represented by AUM. A is produced by the throat, U & M by the lips. In the Vedas, AUM is the sound of the Sun, the sound of Light. It is the sound of assent (affirmation) and ascent (it has an upwards movement and uplifts the soul, as the sound of the divine eagle or falcon.

14 Powerful OM (AUM) Symbols and Their Meanings

OM is one of the most vital Hindu concepts. Ancient and mysterious, OM is said to be a sacred sound. It is the vibrational hum of the entire universe, the first sound from which all other sounds have come. As a symbol, OM represents ultimate unity. It is a sign of high awareness, creation, healing, sacred connection, and enlightenment.

Because it is so integral to the Hindu and Buddhist faiths, the OM can be found within many of their symbols. Today, we will examine these different OM symbols. We’ll dive deep into the secrets of this vital sound, discovering all the things it can represent in different contexts.

14 Powerful OM Symbols and their Meanings

1. Tri-Shakti (Three Powers)

Tri-shakti (Trident + OM + Swastika)

The Trishakti is an emblem of protection featuring a Trishul, a Swastika, and an OM. It is common to hang the Trishakti outside a home or business, as these three symbols offer three distinct blessings for the building and its inhabitants. The Trishul is a spiritual weapon guarding the household against evil. The Swastika is a warm, welcoming sign for guests.

The OM is perhaps the most essential element of the Trishakti, helping to stabilize the energetic flow within the household. It draws beneficial energies and good luck to the home and dispels negative energies. The Trishakti brings peace, tranquility, and prosperity to the dwelling and is good luck for everyone inside.

2. OM with Unalome

OM with Unalome

The Unalome symbol is a Buddhist depiction said to be modeled after Buddha’s urna. An urna is a sacred dot or spiral drawn onto a practitioner’s forehead, representing the third eye and divine vision. The Buddha’s urna is considered the most sacred and potent of all. It is also one of the 32 major marks of Buddha.

The Unalome symbol represents the spiritual journey to enlightenment. We utilize our third eye to see the path ahead more clearly and rely on the OM to ground us and spur us toward Nirvana. The OM with Unalome is an anchor we can cling to in an uncertain world, giving confidence and guidance when we falter or get lost.

3. Sahasrara Yantra (Crown Chakra Yantra)

Sahasrara Yantra with OM at the center

The Sahasrara Yantra is the Yantra of the Sahasrara or Crown Chakra. It is a sacred illustration depicting important concepts surrounding this Chakra. The Crown is our highest Chakra, and its Yantra is a thousand-petaled lotus with an OM symbol at the center. The Sahasrara Yantra rules the brain, spine, and nervous system within our physical body.

Spiritually, it aligns with the OM to indicate vast and divine knowledge. When one attains this knowledge, one reaches enlightenment. The OM is not only featured in the Sahasrara Yantra, but it is also the Beej Mantra of the Sahasrara—the sacred mantra or chant representing the Crown Chakra.

4. OM Shanti

OM Shanti is a spoken greeting and blessing that is common among Hindus and Buddhists. The word Shanti translates directly from Sanskrit as “peace.” While OM has no direct translation, it can be taken to connotate divine energy. To say “OM Shanti” is to invoke peace upon the person and the upcoming interaction. It is more common to repeat Shanti three times, saying, “OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”

The repetition calls for peace upon all three stages of a person’s consciousness: waking, dreaming, and sleeping. It also blesses the person in the three vital elements of mind, body, and spirit. OM Shanti can be used to bless an entire congregation during a religious gathering, or even as a personal mantra to repeat during singular meditation.

5. OM Mudra

A Mudra is a gesture Hindus make during meditation, yoga, and prayer. Mudras are sacred hand gestures channeling certain energies, and the highest of all is the OM Mudra. This Mudra is made by placing the thumb and index finger together, forming a circle. You’ll often see statues holding this Mudra, and it’s common for people to form the OM Mudra while sitting in the Padmasana yoga pose.

The thumb symbolizes a gateway or connection with the divine universe, while the forefinger symbolizes ego. By connecting the two, you are surrendering your ego and connecting yourself with a higher universal power. Chanting OM while making the OM Mudra is a powerful way to bring peace and harmony into your life. It can even affect others sitting nearby, sending out positive vibrations all around.

6. OM Mandala

A Mandala is a sacred circle depicting the universe. It is often used in art to decorate holy places and homes. Mandalas incorporate sacred geometry and various symbols to draw attention and consciousness towards certain concepts. The OM Mandala expands the mind, organizes thoughts, and calls for psychic order.

It is used to connect ourselves with our own mind and with the sacred vibrations of the universe. The OM Mandala can be as simple as an OM symbol inside a circle, but you’ll most often see it drawn artistically with other components. For example, the lotus flower makes frequent appearances in OM Mandalas. The flower is a symbol of beauty, purity, and divine connection, so having it inside the Mandala can help open us up to spiritual connection.

7. OM Tat Sat

OM Tat Sat in Sanskrit
OM Tat Sat is a sacred mantra found in the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred Hindu religious text. Here, “OM” indicates the ultimate reality, or Brahman. “Tat” is the mantra of the god Shiva, while “Sat” is the mantra of Vishnu. Sat can also be taken to mean the divine truth, tying in with the theme of true reality.

When chanted together, OM Tat Sat means “all that is.” When we say it, we remind ourselves of the intangible reality lying outside the realm of our senses. We are grounded in the absolute truth of the universe, which is higher than our physical form and the things we can touch and see. Chanting OM Tat Sat is both awakening and deeply comforting, a reflection that Nirvana is possible and attainable for all.

8. OM Mani Padme Hum

OM Mani Padme Hum Mandala

OM Mani Padme Hum is a sacred Mantra in Buddhism that is often chanted during meditation and prayer rituals. This mantra contains six powerful syllables namely OM, Ma, Ni, Pad, Me and Hum. Each syllable carries a powerful vibrational energy with it which upon chanting can help clear many different forms of negative or low vibrational states.

The mantra is often represented in the form of a syllabic mandala, which contains six petals representing the six syllables (with OM at the top) and an additional syllable at the center – Hri (hrīḥ), which means conscientiousness. While chanting, the hrīḥ sound is not always vocalized aloud and instead chanting in the mind so as to internalize its essence.

It is believed that chanting the mantra or simply looking at or meditating on the mandala can invoke powerful blessings from the Buddha and Guanyin, the goddess of compassion. It is said to bring positive energy, purify negative karma, and increase one’s spiritual well-being.

9. OM + Trishul + Damru

Trishul with Damru and OM symbol
Just as OM appears on the Trishakti, it also shows up frequently on the Trishul + Damru symbol. As we know, the Trishul is Lord Shiva’s sacred trident representing the power of three. It is an emblem of his divine spiritual protection and ability to create, preserve, and destroy.

The Damru is the sacred drum. Hindus often use a Damru in prayer and during religious ceremonies to invoke the power of Shiva. The Damru makes the sound of OM and was the mechanism through which all languages were formed. The OM + Trishul + Damru is a way to create the sacred sound of OM, calling upon Lord Shiva’s help and protection.

10. OM Namah Shivaya

OM Namah Shivaya

Translated literally as “I bow to Shiva”, OM Namah Shivaya is one of the most important chants for Hindus. It is a statement of complete surrender to the divine and is the holiest and highest mantra in Shaivism, the worship of Shiva.

OM is a fitting first syllable for this special mantra. It is the holiest and most divine sound, calling forth ancient creative energy to power the chant. The five syllables of “Namah Shivaya” fuel the rest of the chant with the five energies of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. OM Namah Shivaya is a declaration of faith and a gesture of dependence on the universe’s natural order.

11. Ik Onkar

Ek Onkar symbol written in Gurmukhi script

Ik Onkar is a sacred symbol and phrase of the Sikh religion. “Ik” means one, and “Onkar” means divine. Together, Ik Onkar means “One God”. Unlike Hindus, Sikhs are monotheistic—that is, they believe in only one God. Though this god can have many interpretations, divine power all flows from the same source or being.

Onkar is a deeply meaningful word. It contains a strong spiritual vibration comparable to OM in that sense. Ik Onkar is the opening line in the first verse of the Sikh Holy text, the Guru Granth Sahib. It initiates the Mul Mantra, the first line of the scripture, and is the most vital tenet of the Sikh belief system.

12. Maha Sudarshan Yantra

Maha Sudarshan Yantra or Chakra

Yantras are sacred diagrams consisting of geometric shapes and symbols, revered for their potent mystical properties that can be harnessed through meditation, prayer, and ritual practices. They hold a significant place in the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions There are many types of Yantras each associated with a specific deity, mantra, or energy. Almost all Yantras have an OM symbol at the center.

For instance, the Maha Sudarshan yantra (as shown in the image above) is associated with Lord Vishnu’s divine weapon, the Discus, which is said to repel all forms of evil energies. This Yantra has an OM symbol at the center and is believed to keep all negativity away when place at the Northeast, North or East corner of your home.

Another powerful Yantra is the Gayatri Yantra which is a physical representation of the Gayatri Mantra, a meditation aid. It is a powerful symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and triumph. The Gayatri Yantra represents learning and self-transcendence. It is used widely for good luck and is said to attract positive energy, especially for students and those working in competitive fields.

The Gayatri Yantra has an OM at its center. It is through the sound of OM that the Gayatri Mantra derives its power, so it’s only natural for the corresponding Yantra to feature an OM symbol as well. The Yantra also features sacred geometric patterns representing the four directions, and has a circle indicating the endless life cycle.

Some other popular yantras include the Sri Yantra, Shakti Yantra, Ganesha Yantra, Kuber Yantra, Kanakdhara Yantra, and Saraswati yantra.

13. Sanskrit Breathe Symbol

In Sanskrit, OM is the symbol for breath or breathing. OM is the seed of life, and the air we intake gives us life and allows us to feast on this ancient seed. In Vedic practices, breath is known as “Prana.” Prana is divine in nature, an energy that flows in and out of us to sustain life.

When we breathe with purpose and intention, this breathwork is known as Pranayama. Pranayama is essential during meditation, prayer, and yoga. There are many different kinds, but they all help us connect—both with ourselves and with the universe on a higher level. Chanting OM helps us perform Pranayama by allowing us to express our energy and draw it back in again with intention. Since it is so connective, OM enforces the process of breathwork and helps us achieve divine unity.

14. Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha drawn as OM
Lord Ganesha is one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon. He is not only the maker of the sacred OM sound, he is a symbol for OM himself. People commonly use the term oṃkara-svarupa to refer to Ganesha, meaning “OM is his form.” When Ganesha is drawn, his outline is shaped like an OM symbol. He is also known as the Omkara or OM-maker.

As a physical manifestation of the primordial OM sound, Ganesha is so vital that many Hindu practitioners will pray to him first before praying to other gods. Some believe that other gods cannot hear prayers unless the one praying says OM first. Since OM in and of itself is a prayer to Ganesha, it can be said that Ganesha is always the first to receive the prayer.

What does OM Symbolize?

OM is an extremely powerful symbol that represents creation, healing, protection, consciousness, source energy, cycle of life, peace, and oneness. Let’s take a deeper look into the various symbolisms associated with OM.

1. Creation & life energy

In Hindu and Vedic cultures, OM is considered the divine sound (or vibration) of creation. It is also an eternal sound that is present as the base vibrational energy in everything that exists.

The Vedas (Hindu sacred texts) also present the concept of ‘Nada Brahma’ which means, ‘Sound is God’ or ‘The Universe is Sound’. It is believed that everything in the universe, vibrates at a certain frequency and these vibrations are part of the universal sound – OM. It also means that the whole universe was created from the energy of sound. Every sound gives rise to a form, similarly, every form generates a sound based on its vibrational frequency.

OM also consists of three different sounds namely – Ahh, Ouu, and Mmm, followed by silence. The starting sound, ‘Ahh’, represents the spirit world and the ending sound, ‘Mmm’, represents matter or the material world. Hence, OM is said to represent both the manifested and the unmanifested cosmic reality.

Also, when you begin to chant OM, you will first feel the vibration in your navel (or abdomen) area as you utter the, ‘Aaa’, sound. This represents creation. The ‘Ouu’, sound that follows is felt in upper chest area and represents preservation or sustenance of the manifested reality. Finally, the ‘Mmm’, sound is felt in the head area and also has the lowest pitch of the three which represents destruction of the old to form the new. The chant ends with a silence which represents merging with pure consciousness and the fact that everything is one.

Thus OM is also called Pranava in Sanskrit which translates to life force or life energy.

2. Primordial sound/vibration

OM is the primary sound from which all other sounds (vibrations) are created. As discussed earlier, OM is essentially the product of three syllables – Ahh, Ouu, and Mmm. When these three syllables are chanted together, OM is formed. It is through these three syllables that all other sounds are formed.

In fact, if you look at it, there are only three sounds that you can produce using your throat (without using your tongue). These sounds are the three syllables that form OM. In order to create the first sound, ‘Ahh’, you need to keep your mouth fully open. For, ‘Ouuu’, the mouth needs to be partially closed and for ‘Mmm’, your mouth needs to be fully closed.

Apart from these three sounds, all other sounds can only be created by the use of the tongue. The tongue simply mixes these three sounds in many ways to produce the other sounds. This is very similar to how all colors are created from the three primary colors – Red, Blue and Yellow. Thus, OM is the root sound or the primary sound that is present in everything that exists. This is why OM is considered the universal mantra and chanting this mantra helps you connect with the very essence of reality.

3. Four states of consciousness

OM represents the four states of reality or consciousness which is also depicted in its visible form in Sanskrit. As shown in the above image, the lower curve (which is larger of the two) represents the conscious waking state of a human being. In this state, the mind is governed by the ego and forms belief systems based the input it receives from the outer world via the senses.

The smaller upper curve represents the dreamless sleep state when you are detached from the world of forms. The middle curve represents the dream state when consciousness turns inwards and you gain access to your subconscious mind. The imaginary dream world that you enter is created based on the beliefs and ideas stored in your subconscious mind.

The Dot or Bindu represents enlightenment and freedom from the egoic state of existence. This can also be looked at as the fourth state of consciousness. In this state (which is known as Turiya) you become conscious of your egoic mind and hence become liberated from it. In this state, the mind does not control you, rather, you gain control over your mind. This state is experienced during the silence that follows after chanting OM. When the mind becomes silent it merges with the state of pure consciousness.

Finally, the crescent represents the world of maya or illusion that separates the material world from the spiritual world. It keeps you bound to the egoic existence and from reaching the state of enlightenment. Thus by chanting OM, you can travel through all these states of consciousness and experience the egoless state, even if it is only for a few moments.

4. Holy trinity & cycle of life

As we saw earlier, OM is made of three distinct sounds. These three sounds represent the holy trinity of Hindu gods – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Brahma is the god of creation, Vishnu is the god of sustenance and Shiva represents destruction of the old so as to make space for the new.

Shiva also represents the destruction of negativity and negative forces to balance the positive. 

Thus OM represents the cyclic nature of existence that goes on forever without an end or a beginning.

5. Healing & Protection

OM is the sound of healing and protection. When you chant OM, the resulting vibrations are felt throughout your body that have the power to heal and activate all your energy centers (also known as chakras).

Starting with, ‘Aaa’, the vibrations are felt in and around your belly area that helps heal and activate your root, sacral, and solar plexus chakra. The second syllable, ‘Ouu’, creates vibrations in and around the lower and upper chest areas healing the heart chakra. The third sound, ‘Mmm’, products vibrations around the neck and head areas healing the throat and third eye chakras.

Finally, the silence that follows after a single chant of OM (known as Turiya) creates a state of No-Mind when your entire being becomes one with pure consciousness. This state of deep calm and relaxation is known in Sanskrit as ‘Sat Chit Ananda’ or the state of eternal bliss. This state heals and activates the crown chakra.

6. Peace & oneness

As we saw earlier, the sound of silence that exists between two recitations of OM is known as Turiya which is the state of ultimate bliss and pure consciousness. In this state, for a few moments, the mind detaches from its egoic identify and merges with the source or pure consciousness. Thus, all divisions that exist within the eogic mind are gone and there is the experience of peace and oneness or ultimate bliss.

This state is also known as Sat Chit Ananda. In this state, you exist only as awareness and are at peace with yourself and everything else that exists. Thus OM represents peace, bliss, and oneness. The sound that resonates within your body unifies you with all other sounds in the universe.

7. Auspiciousness & good fortune

In the Hindu religion (and others like Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism), “OM” is considered the most auspicious symbol and is frequently chanted during religious rituals like pujas, prayers, and even during wedding ceremonies. Similarly, many important mantras and prayers begin with the OM sound.

OM is also present as the central symbol in pretty much all Yantras like the Sri Yantra, Shakti Yantra, etc. as we already saw in this article. It is believed that the chanting of OM or even having the symbol around promotes peace, love, positivity, and prosperity, and helps dispel everything that is negative.

Conclusion

As you can see, OM is an incredibly powerful symbol. It embodies the tenets of many vital Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, including universal energy and divine connection. Chanting OM is a way to engage in spiritual practice, and visualizing the OM symbol brings clarity and tranquility. OM elevates the senses while calming the nerves, and this physiological effect can help improve all aspects of existence. If you want to surround yourself with good vibrations and bring peace into your life, consider hanging some OM symbols around your home today.

Om is of utmost importance in the Hindu religion.

The symbol Om is considered to be very sacred, as it represents the Brahman, i.e. the source of life.

The day of Hindus begins with the chanting of Aum Mantra.

Many Hindus wear the pendants of Om, as it is very auspicious.

You will find the Om symbol in almost every Hindu temple.

In this article, we will tell you the complete meaning of Om, which will give you clarity about Om and its relevance in the day to day life.

Om is an integral part of daily life of Hindus.

It is a word that the people of Hinduism keep uttering every now and then.

Infact, a Hindu baby is brought into this world by chanting the holy word ‘Om’.

When the child is born, he is given a holy bath and it is

during this ceremony that the sacred word Om is written on his tongue with honey.

Thus, the life of a Hindu begins with Om.

In this section, we will throw light on the following aspects of Om:

Om Meditation

Chanting Om is the first step towards meditation.

All that you need to do is to hide at a peaceful place, sit down on the floor, gently close your eyes, take a deep breath and chant Om.

While doing so, completely relax your muscles.

Don’t tighten your muscles; otherwise you won’t be able to feel the energizing effect of chanting Om.

Meditation on Om will revitalize your energy and rejuvenate you completely.

To know more about Om meditation, read on.

For Aum meditation, it is of utmost importance to retire at a tranquil place, otherwise your concentration will get adversely affected.

Try not to let your mind wander and think about other worldly things.

Repeat Om several times in a day and try to associate it with the feeling of eternity.

Don’t just speak out Om, but also think about its meaning in your heart and then see the magical effects.

When you recite Om, just don’t do it for the sake of it.

Instead, make a sincere effort to accomplish the purpose of performing it.

If you succeed in doing so, there will be amazing feeling in your heart.

There is no fixed time of meditating on Om. You can do it as many times as you wish.

When your mind is totally able to concentrate, it is at that point of time that you are in a position to realize the power of divinity.

Om Symbol

Aum sign is the most prominent symbol of Hinduism.

The Om symbol signifies divinity and the oneness of all the creations of God.

Om or Aum presents the never ending Brahman, where all forms of life exist.

In this article, we will tell you the meaning of Om symbol, which will help you understand what does this Hindu symbol Om signify.

A represents the creator
U represents the Preserver
M represents the Destructor

Thus, the sign Aum signifies the trinity of God.

It is symbolic of the three main Gods of Hindus, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The three letters symbolize the three worlds, i.e. heaven, earth and netherworld.

In the Vedas, the word AUM is the sound of sun, thus representing the sound of light.

Almost all pilgrimage places of Hindus have the Om symbol enshrined.

Many Hindus wear the Om sign symbols, as it is considered very auspicious.

Power of Om

Om is the main sound, from which all other sounds are produced, even the sound of mother.

There is a lot of significance of chanting Om, which you will get to realize within a few days of chanting.

It will have a major impact on your day to day life. When you start reciting Om, you will feel its power.

Well, in this article, we will provide you with information on the power of Aum, so read on.

When you take a deep breath and chant Om, it causes a very calmful effect, which will totally relax your mind and body.

It is the first stage of meditation, which aims at drawing your attention away from all other tensions that have occupied your mind.

The sound of Om is very pleasant to hear.

When accompanied by slow deep breathing, it gives a very gentle massage to your chest, spine, tummy and head.

Om chanting improves the functioning of all organs of the body and thus, helps in curing various diseases.

It helps to improve your concentration power, thereby enabling you to grasp more information.

Om chanting is like an orientation to the spiritual practices.

When your mind is away from all the worldly thoughts, it is the stage when you get truly connected to the almighty God.

It infuses vitality in the body and one tends to feel stronger.