Aum, also known as Om is the most sacred and most powerful word-symbol for Hindus. It is also called Pranavam or primordial mantra because most mantras and Vedic prayers start with it. Pranava means it runs through our breath and pervades our life. Aum is chanted before starting auspicious actions. ” Hari Aum” is used as a greeting as well.
Aum has the distinction of being both articulate and inarticulate, alphabetical and with intonation. It has a deep philosophical significance. It is used for chanting and meditation. The above two aspects together help an individual attune with the Eternal Being.
In the symbol there are three curves and a dot. In an individual’s consciousness there are three states, waking, dream and deep sleep. They are symbolized by the upper curve, right side curve and the lower curve respectively. Thus the three curves represent the entire physical phenomenon. The dot represents the Absolute which illuminates the three states. The semicircle open at the top signifies that the Absolute is infinite.
Even though the meaning of Aum is profound, we use it in everyday life. We begin our day or any work or a journey by uttering Aum. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Aum as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise in some form or another.
Aum , the universal name of the Lord is made up of three letters A U and M. The sound emerges from the base of the throat as A. When the lips come together U is formed. When the lips are closed, the sound ends in M. Besides the three states of onsciousness, the three letters are supposed to signify various fundamental triads such as
The three deities – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
The three vedas - Rig, yajur, sama
The three gunas - satva, rajas, thamas
The three worlds - Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah
The silence between the chanting of two Aums represent the Lord who has no attributes.
This Aum chanting fills the mind with peace and focusses it and is the symbol of cosmic reality. While meditating, when we chant Aum, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally.
Thus Aum, the supreme and most sacred syllable is the spoken essence of the universe. It is uttered as a mantra and in affirmations and blessings. In a nutshell Aum symbolises everything – the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all forms and the formless.
Topic: The significance of Aum or Om (Read 760 times)