AUM

File:Aum.svg

Om/Aum in Devanagari script.

Aum (File:Aum.svg) also Om, is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, symbolizing the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe. This syllable is sometimes called the "Udgitha" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra), because it is considered to be the primal sound, and because most mantras begin with it. Indeed, Aum so sacred is it that it is prefixed and suffixed to all Hindu mantras and incantations. It first came to light in the Vedic Tradition of Hinduism, and is also considered to be holy in Buddhism, Sikhism, and some new religious movements such as EckOmKar.

In Hindu cosmology, all of the cosmos is said to stem from the vibration of the sound 'Aum' which is seen as a manifestation of Brahman (Ultimate Reality). It is undoubtedly the most representative symbol of Hinduism. In India, the symbol of 'Aum' (File:Aum.svg) can be seen virtually everywhere in India as a standard sign for Hinduism and a vast but concise storehouse for the deep philosophy and mythology of this ancient religion.

Pronunciation of AUM

The AUM sound is sometimes called "the 3-syllable Veda". As a seed syllable (bija Aum has three Hindi words. Ā and Ū and Ma. Ā is meant for Ākāra. From Ū = ūkara e, and Ma = makāra

"A - emerges from the throat, originating in the region of the navel U - rolls over the tongue M - ends on the lips ; A - waking, U - dreaming, M - sleeping It is the sum and substance of all the words that can emanate from the human throat. It is the primordial fundamental sound symbolic of the Universal Absolute." [1].

In fact, when correctly pronounced, or rather, rendered, the "A" can be felt as a vibration that manifests itself near the navel or abdomen; the "U" can be felt vibrating the chest, and the "M" vibrates the cranium or the head. The abdominal vibration symbolises Creation; It is interesting that the "creative" or reproductive organs are also located in the lower abdomen. The vibration of the chest represents Preservation, which is also where the lungs are situated (the lungs sustain or preserve the body through breath). The vibration of the head is associated with Destruction or sacrifice, since all that gives up or destroys is first destroyed mentally. Hence, the entire cycle of the universe and all it contains is said to be symbolised in AUM.

Aum is seen as the source of existence as we know it within the causal dimensions of time and space, and thus affirmatory meanings in languages are a natural progression. Aum is not only affirmation, but negation, and transcends both.

Symbolism and Philosophy of Om

Om (File:Aum.svg), is the most sacred symbol and sound in Hinduism and volumes have been written that seek to illustrate its significance. Its meaning is especially elucidated in the Taittiriya, Chandogya and Mundaka Upanishads. For example, the '-Katha Upanishad states:

The goal, which all Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which humans desire when they live a life of continence, I will tell you briefly it is Om. The syllable Om is indeed Brahman. This syllable Om is the highest. Whosoever knows this symbol 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 Brahman. (I, ii, 15-17')

File:Aum - Bangalore parade float.jpg

Aum symbol used in a parade in Bangalore

The symbol of Om contains of three curves, one semicircle and a dot. The large lower curve symbolizes the waking state; the upper curve denotes deep sleep (or the unconscious) state, and the lower curve (which lies between deep sleep and the waking state) signifies the dream state. These three states of an individual’s consciousness, and therefore the entire physical phenomenon, are represented by the three curves. The dot signifies the Absolute (fourth or Turiya state of consciousness), which illuminates the other three states. The semicircle symbolizes Maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. The semicircle is open on the top, which means that the absolute is infinite and is not affected by maya. Maya only affects the manifested phenomenon. In this way the form of Om symbolizes the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe and the world. Aum is made out of the three gods Shiva and Ganesh and Gayatri.

Uttering the monosyllable Om, the eternal world of Brahman, One who departs leaving the body (at death), he attains the superior goal.

-Bhagavad Gita, 8.13

According to Hindu philosophy this syllable is a combination of three components: the letter A, which represents creation, when all existence issued forth from Brahma's golden necleus; the letter U, which refers to Vishnu the god who preserves this world by balancing Brahma on a lotus above himself. The M produces the prolonged resonance of the nasal cavity with the mouth closed: it is the final part of the cycle of existence, when Vishnu falls asleep and Brahma has to breathe in so that all existing things have to disintegrate and are reduces to their essence to him. This is the M of Mahesha, also known as the great Lord Shiva, whose long period of yoga begins so that the sensual world ceases to exists. Finally, one must not forget the silence at the end.

Gods and Goddesses are sometimes referred to as Aumkar, which means Form of Aum. Ek Onkar, meaning 'one god' is a central tenet of Sikh religious philosophy. In Hindu metaphysics, it is proposed that the manifested cosmos (from Brahman) has name and form (nama-rupa), and that the closest approximation to the name and form of the universe is Aum, since all existence is fundamentally composed of vibration. (This concept of describing reality as vibrations, or rhythmic waves, can also be found in quantum physics and superstring theory, which describe the universe in terms of vibrating fields or strings.)

Aum symbol on the Temple elephant's forehead

In the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, Om is frequently used to represent three subsumed into one, a common theme in Hinduism. It implies that our current existence is mithya, or 'skewed reality,' that in order to know the full truth we must comprehend beyond the body and intellect and intuit the true nature of infinity, of a Divine Ground that is imminent but also transcends all duality, being and non-being, that cannot be described in words. Within this metaphysical symbolism, the three are represented by the lower curve, upper curve and tail of the ॐ subsumed into the ultimate One, represented by the little crescent moon-shape and dot, known as chandrabindu. Essentially, upon attaining moksha, mukti, samadhi, nirvana, liberation, etc. one realizes fundamental unity; it is not the joining together of a prior manifold splitting. When one gains true knowledge, there is no split between knower and known: one becomes knowledge/consciousness itself. For many Hindus, Aum is the signifier of the ultimate truth that all is one.

Dvaita (Vaishnava) philosophies teach that 'Aum' is an impersonal sound representation of Vishnu/Krishna while Hari Nama is the personal sound representation. A represents Krishna, U Srimati Radharani and M jivas. According to Sridhara Svami the pranava has five parts: A, U, M, the nasal bindu and the reverberation (nada). Liberated souls meditate on the Lord at the end of that reverberation.

"Aum" can be seen as Sri Ganesh, whose figure is often represented in the shape of Aum. He is thus known as Aumkar (Shape of Aum). Sri Nataraja, or the Hindu god 'Shiva' dancing his dance of destruction, is seen in that popular representation mirroring the image of Aum. It is said to be the most perfect 'approximation' of the cosmic existence within time and space, and therefore the sound closest to Truth.

"The First Word Om (Aum) It is also called Pranav because its sound emanates from the Prana (vital vibration), which feels the Universe. The scripture says "Aum Iti Ek Akşara Brahman" (Aum that one syllable is Brahman).

Om in Jain tradition

In Jainism, Om is regarded to be a condensed form of reference to the five parameshthis. "Om" one akshara, is made from the initials of the five parameshthis. It has been said: "Arihanta, Ashiri (i.e. siddha), Acharya, Upadhyaya, Munis(sadhus)"

Om in Buddhist tradition

Since Buddhism arose out of Hinduism it is not surprising that it appropriated the Mantra of Aum from Hinduism and shares it with the Hindu tradition.

In Buddhism this syllable is almost never transliterated as Aum, but instead as Om.

The mantra in Tibetan script.

Used in many contexts for different purposes, there are many Buddhist mantras which incorprate the sound of Om into thier formulation. However, probably the most famous Buddhist mantra is the six syllabled mantra of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara, known as "Om Mani Padme Hum".

A popular translation of this mantra is, "Hail the jewel in the lotus". (Om = Hail, Mani = Jewel, Padme = Lotus and Hum).

However, the scholar Donald Lopez, in his book Prisoners of Shangri-La: Tibetan Buddhism and the West (ISBN 0226493113), challenges the conventional analysis of the mantra as "The Jewel in the Lotus", which he claims to be an interpretation supported by neither linguistic analysis nor Tibetan tradition. He suggests that Manipadme is actually the name of a bodhisattva, a form of Avalokiteshvara who in any case has many other names, including Padmapani or lotus flower in hand. The Brahminical insistence on absolutely correct pronunciation of Sanskrit broke down as Buddhism was exported to other countries where the inhabitants found it impossible to reproduce the sounds. So in Tibet, for instance, where this mantra is on the lips of many Tibetans all their waking hours, the mantra is pronounced, "Om mani peme hum."

As Buddhist teachings spread to China, the character "Om" appeared as "唵" in Chinese Buddhist scripts in [East Asia]]. influenced Pure Land Buddhism among other sects Amitbha Buddha.

Om in Sikh tradition

The Sikh Mantra, Ek Onkar

The concept of Om also plays a promient role in Sikhism as exempliufied in the Sikh mantra Ek Onkar (meaning God is One) This symbol (see insert) is commonly found in Sikh temples (known as Gurdwaras), and symbolizes the monotheistic view of God in Sikhism. Thi Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, used the word Onkar to state the concept of a monotheistic God rather than the Tri-Deity concept that Om had become mired in at the time of his presence in the world, namely that Om had come to represent the trinity of Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (The Sustainer) and Shiva (the Destroyer). Instead, Guru Nanak, by placing the number "One" in front of Onkar, propagated the basic principle of Sikhism - that the creative, sustaining and destructive energies are all embodied in the One Almighty, thereby directly opposing the Hindu Trinity interpretation that had become commonplace at the time.

This is further clarified by Guru Nanak in his composition:

oua(n)kaar brehamaa outhapath ||

From Ongkaar, the One Universal Creator God, Brahma was created. (Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib, 929).

...defining that Onkar is that which created Brahma and therefore preceded Brahma. Ek means "one" (Sanskrit eka).

Ek Onkar is the start of the Sikh Mool Mantra - the root basis of all Sikh sacred thought, and the first phrase of the Sikh Guru embodied in scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sanskrit word omkāra (from which came Punjabi onkār, etc), literally "OM-maker", has two families of meanings:-

• Brahma (god) in his role as creator, and thus a word for "creator".
• Writers' term for the OM sign.

Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM

"One who chants om, which is the closest form of Brahman, approaches Brahman. This liberates one from the fear of the material world, therefore it is known as tarak brahman."(Rig-veda)

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita 7.8 and 9.17, "I am Om", and that one must chant Om thinking of Him in order to attain Him personally ('mam anusmaran', 8.13).

"From the beginning of creation, the three words om tat sat were used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by brahmanas while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme." (Bhagavad Gita 17.23)

For both Hindus and Buddhists this syllable is sacred and so laden with spiritual energy that it should only be pronounced with complete concentration and proper motivation to be efficatious.

External links

• Om in the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Sutras
• About.com on AUM in Hinduism
• Hindu Symbolism of AUM
• Om - An inquiry into the aesthetics, mysticism, and philosophy of Om
• Om - The Symbol of Absolute
• The Mantra Om — Symbol of Primordial Vibration
• The Way of Pranáva (a complete study of the process of pronouncing AUM by Gabriel Pradiipaka)
• Interreligious backgrounds on AUM (OM, OHM)
• Collection of Om pictures (Sanskrit style)
• The Meaning of the Mantra in Tibetan Buddhism
• http://www.khandro.net/practice_mantra.htm

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