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It is probably the best known, most used symbol of Hinduism. This mystic symbol is also the most powerful Hindu mantra. It is composed of five elements: the syllables a, u, m, the dot or bindu and sound (nada), and is revered as the representative of the gods. All aspects of speech are believed to have come forth from this word. |
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Om
first appears in the Upanishads as a mystic monosyllable and is
regarded as the seed or basis of all mantras. According to the Mandukya
Upanishad, the past, present and the future are all included in this one
sound and all that exists beyond these three forms of time is also implied
in it. In fact this entire Upanishad deals with the understanding and
symbolism of Om.
According
to the Chandogya Upanishad, Prajapati created the first three
Vedas,
from which arose the three letters of ‘aum’. This word is therefore a
representation of the Supreme Being. Like the word Om, the Supreme Being
is also indivisible.
Om
is said to be the first sound to have come from the creator’s mouth. Its
sound is said to be the foundation of all sounds. It represents the whole
phenomenon of sound producing and denotes all the possibilities of all the
sounds that can be produced. ‘A’ is the root sound produced without
touching any part of the tongue or palate; ‘m’ represents the last
sound in the series, being pronounced by closed lips. Between these two
sounds exist all others.
The
three constituents of Om also represent the deities of the
Trimurti:
‘a’ represents Vishnu, ‘u’ Shiva and ‘m’ Brahma. Hence it also
represents creation, preservation and destruction. The Vaishnavas
and the Shaivas however describe it according to their own
theological notions. The sound form of Om is identified as Vishnu by
Vaishnavas and as Shiva by Shaivas.
The
Shiva Purana claims that ‘aum’ arose from the five faces of
Shiva. ‘A’ from the north, ‘u’ from the west, ‘m’ from the
south, bindu from the east and sound from the middle mouth.
Because
of this mystic importance, Om is uttered at the commencement of all
prayers and religious ceremonies and at the beginning of all mantras. Om
is also the mantra that yogis meditate with. Its utterance is said
to counteract errors in the performance of sacrifices and protects the
devotee against misfortune. Meditation on this sacred syllable is said to
satisfy every need and leads to liberation.
Om
used to be restricted to the Brahmins. It is no longer so. Today it is
freely depicted on calendars, mandalas and even written at the head
of letters, wedding invitations, doctoral theses and any important
document. |
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