Lessons from the East XI: ॐ – Not a Sound, not a Word, not a Mantra, but the entire Eternity
Pranava or Aum enables one to access the untapped potential and energy from within.
NewsBharati 12-Oct-2022 10:08:00 AM
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Sanatan Dharma states, that everything starts and ends with Aum. Aum represents completeness, entirety, or wholesomeness.
The relics and existence of the word Om are found from South East Asia to South Asia to Indian Subcontinent.
Moving ahead, let's figure out how life and Aum are connected or better to state conjoint.
Life is represented by the breath that one inhales and exhales. In Sanskrit, it’s called PRANA.
From Prana (inhalation, exhalation, or life-giving energy) came the word Pranava.
Pranava is synonymous with AUM which means controller of life force (prana) and life-giver (infuser of prana).
If Pranav or Aum is the Prana & infuser of Prana, Who creates this Prana?
Prana is created by Param- Atma.
Where is the ultimate creator whom we call Param-atma or God or Almighty or Universal forces of creation?
Instead of giving a direct answer, let’s use two examples. When a seed is sowed, rain sun, and soil nourish it, but the evolution of the seed into a plant and from the plant into a tree happens from within.
Similarly, when a child is born, the child is fed with food, water, love, and other nourishment, but the process of growing up of the child is from within.
Thus birth, growth destruction all happens within oneself, and when one realizes this phenomenon, one stops looking outward and finds divinity within oneself.
Pranava or Aum enables one to access the untapped potential and energy from within.
Aum comprises 3 sounds – a, u, and m. The human body has seven energy chakras and breaking the sound of AUM helps in correcting every chakra or the flow of energy seamlessly.
There is a very famous story attached to the meaning of Aum and when it was narrated the first time.
As per the scriptures, Lord Shiva’s son Kartikeya who was also the commander in chief of Devata (gods) narrated the meaning of Aum to his father Lord Shiva sitting in his lap. (One can learn from anyone, anyone, anytime)
As stated above, the Sound of Aum is made of 3 sounds - A, U & M.
Irrespective of the language (whether national or international language) when a child opens his or her mouth, the first sound which comes out of the mouth is A.
When the child closes the mouth and the sound which comes out is M.
When the child brings his or her lips closer and his or her mouth is half open and half-close, the sound which emanates is U.
Thus the sound of Aum is natural to all human beings irrespective of caste, color, creed, nationality, religion, geography. .
According to Manduka Upanishad, the Waking state (Jagrat Awastha) is represented by A, The Dream State (Svapna Avastha) is represented by U, and The Deep — Sleep State — (Sushupti Avastha) is represented by M.
Thus all three states in which humans can be is represented by AUM.
Aum also represents Adishakti or Maa Durga.
A also represents Bhagwan Brahma, U represents Bhagwan Vishnu and M represents Lord Shiva. Thus the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer of this material world are represented by AUM.
Chapter 7, Verse 8, of Shreemad Bhagavad Geeta, Lord Shree Krishna says
रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययो: |
प्रणव: सर्ववेदेषु शब्द: खे पौरुषं नृषु ||
Meaning: I am the taste in water, O son of Kunti, and the radiance of the sun and the moon. I am the sacred syllable Om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and the ability in humans.
In other other words, the syllable Om is the most important sound in the Vedic mantras that Lord Shree Krishna himself or the Param-atma (the Supreme almighty residing in every soul, present in every life form beyond human) which is connected to Jiva-Atma represents.
Science especially medical science over the years has also found and accepted the following benefits of chanting Om.
1. Weight Loss - Chanting Om creates vibrations, that stimulate, galvanize, boost metabolism. It leads to better digestion and thus weight loss.
2. Removes aches, pains, and improves heart health – When one chants Om more than 3 times, preferably, 11, 21, or 108 times, one's mind, body, and senses relax. The sound improves blood circulation, regularizes blood pressure, and removes aches and pains. Improved blood pressure enhances heart health.
3. Works on the Thyroid gland – Chants of Aum especially the last part, the sound of M creates vibrations in the throat, which strengthens the working of the Thyroid gland. Thyroid malfunction is one of the common challenges witnessed in the world which leads to Fatigue, Increased sensitivity to cold, Constipation, Weight gain, Puffy face, Muscle weakness, etc.
4. Anti-Anxiety & Anti-Depression – One who chants Aum regularly is never a victim of depression or anxiety.
5. Removes Toxins – Aum chants help in removing all toxins and negativity from the body.
6. Energizes the body – If one has a long day at work or a lengthy schedule, just taking 5 minutes off and chanting Aum can energize and revitalize organs and the mind.
7. Sound sleep and Sushupti Awastha –One who chants Aum before going to bed or even in bed before sleeping, gets sound sleep. In one of the earlier notes, one spoke about three states of consciousness. The waking state (Jagrat Awastha), The Dream State (Swapna Awastha), and The Deep — Sleep State — (Sushupti Awastha)
Chants of Aum enable one to reach the state of deep sleep where one is totally refreshed when one gets up the next day.
8. Cures Sinuses as well as frees the hindrance in expression - Chanting Aum creates vibrations in the body and clears the throat and sinus. People who have challenges in public speaking, expressing their thoughts in a constructive and assertive manner, and getting intimidated in front of a large crowd, the same can be altered by chants of Aum.
Why Aum is stated before every mantra or Shloka?
The Sanatan Scriptures state that before creating the Universe, the Supreme power (Param-atma) said two words Aum and Tatha.
Thus before starting any task if one says Aum, one aligns oneself with Universe for Universe to support one’s endeavors.
Thus Siddhartha Rastogi says, that the Sound of Aum is Anadi (the one which has no beginning) and Ananth (the one which has no end), and by chanting the Aum, one can access unlimited powers which exist within oneself to be the best version of oneself.
Learnings from Chandogya Upanishad (embedded in Sam Veda), Mandukya Upanishad, and Shreemad Bhagwad Geeta — the wisdom of words & conversations between Lord Shree Krishna and Arjuna.
The relics and existence of the word Om are found from South East Asia to South Asia to Indian Subcontinent.
Moving ahead, let's figure out how life and Aum are connected or better to state conjoint.
Starting with basics - What represents life?
How can one say one is alive?
Life is represented by the breath that one inhales and exhales. In Sanskrit, it’s called PRANA.
From Prana (inhalation, exhalation, or life-giving energy) came the word Pranava.
Pranava is synonymous with AUM which means controller of life force (prana) and life-giver (infuser of prana).
If Pranav or Aum is the Prana & infuser of Prana, Who creates this Prana?
Prana is created by Param- Atma.
Where is the ultimate creator whom we call Param-atma or God or Almighty or Universal forces of creation?
Instead of giving a direct answer, let’s use two examples. When a seed is sowed, rain sun, and soil nourish it, but the evolution of the seed into a plant and from the plant into a tree happens from within.
Similarly, when a child is born, the child is fed with food, water, love, and other nourishment, but the process of growing up of the child is from within.
Thus birth, growth destruction all happens within oneself, and when one realizes this phenomenon, one stops looking outward and finds divinity within oneself.
Pranava or Aum enables one to access the untapped potential and energy from within.
Aum comprises 3 sounds – a, u, and m. The human body has seven energy chakras and breaking the sound of AUM helps in correcting every chakra or the flow of energy seamlessly.
There is a very famous story attached to the meaning of Aum and when it was narrated the first time.
As per the scriptures, Lord Shiva’s son Kartikeya who was also the commander in chief of Devata (gods) narrated the meaning of Aum to his father Lord Shiva sitting in his lap. (One can learn from anyone, anyone, anytime)
As stated above, the Sound of Aum is made of 3 sounds - A, U & M.
Irrespective of the language (whether national or international language) when a child opens his or her mouth, the first sound which comes out of the mouth is A.
When the child closes the mouth and the sound which comes out is M.
When the child brings his or her lips closer and his or her mouth is half open and half-close, the sound which emanates is U.
Thus the sound of Aum is natural to all human beings irrespective of caste, color, creed, nationality, religion, geography. .
According to Manduka Upanishad, the Waking state (Jagrat Awastha) is represented by A, The Dream State (Svapna Avastha) is represented by U, and The Deep — Sleep State — (Sushupti Avastha) is represented by M.
Thus all three states in which humans can be is represented by AUM.
Aum also represents Adishakti or Maa Durga.
A also represents Bhagwan Brahma, U represents Bhagwan Vishnu and M represents Lord Shiva. Thus the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer of this material world are represented by AUM.
Chapter 7, Verse 8, of Shreemad Bhagavad Geeta, Lord Shree Krishna says
रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययो: |
प्रणव: सर्ववेदेषु शब्द: खे पौरुषं नृषु ||
Meaning: I am the taste in water, O son of Kunti, and the radiance of the sun and the moon. I am the sacred syllable Om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and the ability in humans.
In other other words, the syllable Om is the most important sound in the Vedic mantras that Lord Shree Krishna himself or the Param-atma (the Supreme almighty residing in every soul, present in every life form beyond human) which is connected to Jiva-Atma represents.
Science especially medical science over the years has also found and accepted the following benefits of chanting Om.
1. Weight Loss - Chanting Om creates vibrations, that stimulate, galvanize, boost metabolism. It leads to better digestion and thus weight loss.
2. Removes aches, pains, and improves heart health – When one chants Om more than 3 times, preferably, 11, 21, or 108 times, one's mind, body, and senses relax. The sound improves blood circulation, regularizes blood pressure, and removes aches and pains. Improved blood pressure enhances heart health.
3. Works on the Thyroid gland – Chants of Aum especially the last part, the sound of M creates vibrations in the throat, which strengthens the working of the Thyroid gland. Thyroid malfunction is one of the common challenges witnessed in the world which leads to Fatigue, Increased sensitivity to cold, Constipation, Weight gain, Puffy face, Muscle weakness, etc.
4. Anti-Anxiety & Anti-Depression – One who chants Aum regularly is never a victim of depression or anxiety.
5. Removes Toxins – Aum chants help in removing all toxins and negativity from the body.
6. Energizes the body – If one has a long day at work or a lengthy schedule, just taking 5 minutes off and chanting Aum can energize and revitalize organs and the mind.
7. Sound sleep and Sushupti Awastha –One who chants Aum before going to bed or even in bed before sleeping, gets sound sleep. In one of the earlier notes, one spoke about three states of consciousness. The waking state (Jagrat Awastha), The Dream State (Swapna Awastha), and The Deep — Sleep State — (Sushupti Awastha)
Chants of Aum enable one to reach the state of deep sleep where one is totally refreshed when one gets up the next day.
8. Cures Sinuses as well as frees the hindrance in expression - Chanting Aum creates vibrations in the body and clears the throat and sinus. People who have challenges in public speaking, expressing their thoughts in a constructive and assertive manner, and getting intimidated in front of a large crowd, the same can be altered by chants of Aum.
Why Aum is stated before every mantra or Shloka?
The Sanatan Scriptures state that before creating the Universe, the Supreme power (Param-atma) said two words Aum and Tatha.
Thus before starting any task if one says Aum, one aligns oneself with Universe for Universe to support one’s endeavors.
Thus Siddhartha Rastogi says, that the Sound of Aum is Anadi (the one which has no beginning) and Ananth (the one which has no end), and by chanting the Aum, one can access unlimited powers which exist within oneself to be the best version of oneself.
Learnings from Chandogya Upanishad (embedded in Sam Veda), Mandukya Upanishad, and Shreemad Bhagwad Geeta — the wisdom of words & conversations between Lord Shree Krishna and Arjuna.
Siddhartha Rastogi
Siddhartha Rastogi is Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer of a Leading Full Service Investment Bank. Views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official view or position of any company or sister concerns or group company where the author is presently employed.