Om

Om (pronounced Aum), is sacred and important in various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Same phonetic is produced in saying ‘Amen’ (in Christianity) and ‘Aameen’ (in Islam).

It is made up of the letters A, U and M. 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 Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (aaooommm). The "om syllable" in Sanskrit is referred to as ‘praṇava’, literally meaning "that which is sounded out loudly by making a humming sound" or ‘that which runs through our prana or breath’.

The three letters symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep sleep), the three deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (the creator, preserver and destroyer). 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. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake. Most mantras and Vedic prayers start and end with Om. It is also repeated as a mantra to meditate upon. Its form is worshipped upon and used as an auspicious sign. Om is the universal name of the Lord.

Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. When we chant Om, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes with the cosmic vibration which has profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Such is the immeasurable power of Om.

By Pushpa Ramesh