Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. It
has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on
the surroundings. Most mantras and vedic prayers start with Om.
All auspicious actions begin with Om. It is even used as
a greeting - Om, Hari Om etc. It is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. Its
form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.
Om is the universal name of the Lord. It is made up of
the letters A (phonetically as in "around"), U (phonetically as in
"put") and M (phonetically as in "mum"). The sound emerging
from the vocal chords starts from the base of the throat as "A". With
the coming together of the lips, "U" is formed and when the lips are
closed, all sounds end in "M".
The three letters symbolize the three states (waking,
dream and deep sleep), the three deities (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), the three
Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) etc. The
Lord is all these and beyond.
The formless, attributeless Lord (Brahman) is represented
by the silence between two Om Chants. Om is also called pranava that
means, "that (symbol or sound) by which the Lord is praised". The
entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Om. It is said that the
Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and atha. Hence its
sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we
undertake. The Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (aaooommm).
Om is written in different ways in different places. The
most common form symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s. The upper curve is the head; the
lower large one, the stomach; the side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular
mark with the dot, the sweetmeat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha's hand. Thus Om
symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth
behind it, the material and the Sacred, all form and the Formless.
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