‘Om’, ‘Aum’ or ‘Omkara’ whatever one calls it, is not in fact a word but an intonation, a complete mantra, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race culture, religion and even the species. The sound ‘Om’ is considered to be the origin of all —that is why researchers say that ‘Om’ was the first sound that emanated after the big bang. ‘Om’ is a cosmic sound which the Yogis have felt and heard in their subconscious and while in trance and so it enjoys a reference in many Upanishads and religious books. The greatest beauty of ‘Om’ is that a reference to it is found in almost every Indian language and in every dialect where this wholesome cosmic sound is denoted alphabetically.
There is a reference to ‘Om’ in Oriya, Gujarati, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Sharda and Sindhi as well. Another interesting feature is that a reference to ‘Om’ is found in foreign languages too, including German, Chinese and the Greek. ‘Om’ in fact does not belong to a particular sect or religion. A reference to it is found in those who belong to other faiths as well. Researchers say that in Greek, it is pronounced “Omein or Omeni’. The famous Bodh mantra “‘Om’ Mani Padme Hoon” too makes a reference to ‘Om’. Buddhists do recite this mantra daily while remembering the Ultimate. This is the “Mool-Mantra”, the basic mantra for Buddhists and begins with ‘Om’ like almost all mantras of Hindus including the greatest of all mantras— the Gayatri Mantra. How sweet it sounds when people holding faith in Sikhism believe in “Ek Omkaar”. The best connotation of ‘Om’ is found in Bhagwat Gita where Lord Krishna, during a conversation with Arjuna (in the 8th and 10th discourses), explains the significance of this eternal sound.
Krishna, in the 8th discourse says that there is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable ‘Om’, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the ultimate personality of Godhead and quits the body, he will certainly reach the highest state, viz., ‘statelessness’ (eternity). In the 10th discourse, the Lord explains to Arjuna that in all the syllables and recitations, “I am the one word— the Omkaar.”
According to Chanogya Upanishad, the syllable ‘Om’ is a call to knowledge and it signifies assent. The Narda— Pancaratra states: “When the transcendental sound vibration is practised by the conditioned soul, the Supreme Lord is present on his tongue”. The Atharva Veda and the Mandukya Upanishad mention the importance of “Omkara”, which is said to be the beginning, middle and end and is eternal— beyond all material restrictions. It is considered unlimited, transcendental and indestructible. Taittirya Upanishad says that ‘Om’ is the supreme symbol of God— a sound which expresses all truth. It is with because of this reason that priests begin the worship with ‘Om’. Spiritual teachers begin their lessons with ‘Aum’ and even all the Hindu mantras generally begin and end with ‘Om’. This Upanishad further says that those in whom ‘Aum’ resides are united with God. ‘Om’ according to Mandukya Upanishad, is the one eternal syllable that encompasses all that exists — the past, the present and the future— they are all included in this one sound and all that exists beyond the three forms of time are also implied in it.
Linguists believe that ‘Om’ is in fact made of three Sanskrit letters— “Aa, Aau and Ma” which when combined gives rise to the sound ‘Aum’ or ‘Om’. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world that contains all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself and if correctly intoned, it can resonate through the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one’s being— the Atma or the soul. That is why, the great mystic and the 14th century poetess of Kashmir, Lalleshwari described in one of her Vaakhs that, for one who intones the single mantra ‘Om’ every moment , intoning a thousand mantras are literarily meaningless. In yet another Vaakh, Lalleshwari, (commonly known to both Muslims and Hindus as Lal Ded), says that ‘Om’ is such a mantra and such an experience that an individual only has to intone it and hear it!
There is also a reference to ‘Om’ in Katha Upanishad-I. According to it, “the goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at and which men desire when they lead a life of continence is ‘Om’. Whoever knows and intones this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support, the highest support one can get. Whosoever gets this support is adored in the world of Brahma”
The syllable ‘Om’, also known as Pranava, can also be spelt as ‘AUM’ and Westerners, who hold faith in Hinduism, decompose ‘Aum’ into three parts; for them, ‘A’ stands for creation, ‘U’ for preservation and ‘M’ for destruction or dissolution. According to another interpretation, the three letters forming ‘Aum’ indicate the three lokas of this universe, both gross and subtle – Svarga (heaven), Martya (earth) and Patala (the netherworld).
In day-to-day life, ‘Om’ can be heard even when a creature inhales and exhales. That is why sages and saints have been practising this mantra while meditating for generations. When a temple bell chimes, the vibration produced resembles the sound ‘Om’. Or for that matter, if you try a simple tuning fork, a similar reaction, viz., ‘Om’, the cosmic sound, results. Even during an echo, those with ears that can gauge sound can feel it! The power of ‘Om’ is so great that while one meditates or while one chants it, he creates within himself a vibration that synchronises with the cosmic vibration and thus the individual starts thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Researchers say that the mind moves between the extremes of sound and silence until, at last, the sound ceases. In the ensuing silence, the single thought, ’Om’ is quenched - there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in this pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of ‘Om’.
‘Om’ is in everyone’s genes. It is a question of how one reads it, deciphers it, finds it, traces it, and links it to one’s roots. ‘Om’ is for all and in fact no one can patent it!
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