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| OM - THE SYMBOL OF ABSOLUTE |
OM or AUM is the symbol of essence of Hinduism. It
means oneness with the Supreme, the merging of the physical being with the spiritual. The
most sacred syllable, the first sound of the Almighty - the sound from which
emerges each and every other sound, whether of music or of language.
In the Upanishads this sacred syllable appears as a mystic sound, regarded by
scriptures as the very basis of every other sacred mantra (hymn). It is the sound
not only of origination but also of dissolution. The past, present and future
are all included in this one sound and even all that transcends this configuration
of time is also implied in OM.
According to TAITREYA Upanishad the origin of language is
assigned to PRAJAPATI, from whose meditation on the three words arose the three
Vedas and from his meditation arose the three syllables, BHOOR,
BHUVA and SUAH, which represent earth, atmosphere and sky. From his meditation
on these three originated the divine syllable of OM, which coordinated all speech
and represented the totality of the world. The syllable
OM also represents the TRIMURTI (triad) of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Shiva's drum produced this sound and through it came the notes of the octave,
(i.e.) SA, RI, GA, MA, PA, DHA, NI. Thus by this sound
Shiva creates and recreates the universe. OM is also the sound form of
Atman.
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| OM - THE SYMBOL OF ABSOLUTE |
The Upanishads state that everything, existent and non- existent, can be grasped
by uttering the sacred syllable of OM. The psychotherapeutic efficacy of OM is
deemed limitless and its utterance redeems all errors in the performance of a
sacrifice. Meditation on OM satisfies every need and ultimately leads to liberation.
Nearly all the prayers and recitals of sacred passages are prefixed by the utterance
of OM. Its equivalent is OMKAR, venerated in the same manner and is thought to
be the representation of God Himself.
Musically, it is also held that the term OM or AUM is made
up by three base notes ' A ' 'U' 'M' or the basic 'SA' 'PA' of the fundamental
scale and again Sa (the base note) of the immediately higher scale. When one
pronounces these notes in continuity, all the basic notes from Sa to Ni also
sound. Similarly when one pronounces AUM correctly, all the basic sounds also
echo. It is believed to be the traditional way of clearing all the impediments
in the vocal chord to make one chant the hymns correctly. Their unison makes
one not only sound sonorous but also acts as the necessary preparation to chant
a Mantra (Incantation) correctly. It is for this reason that all the Vedic Mantras
has 'OM' or' AUM' as the first term. |
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