The impersonal Absolute of Hinduism - omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman,
Itself, is incomprehensible so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us understand the Unknowable. Om,
therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (Saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is
called Pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath. Can be considered the sound of the universe.
Om in Daily Life
Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, is in daily use. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey expressing Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters,
At the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the Om as a pendant. This symbol is sanctified in any Hindu place or somehow or another in family temples temple.
It is interesting to note that a newly born child is ushered into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually bathed and the sacred symbol Om is written on its tongue with honey. Thus, at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated into the life of a Hindu and stays with him forever as a symbol of devotion. Om is also a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos.
The Eternal Syllable
According to the Mandukya Upanishad, "Om is the eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. Past, present and future are included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it. "
The Music of Om
Om is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music, transcends the barriers of species, age, race, culture and even. It consists of three Sanskrit, aa, au and ma letters that when combined, make the sound Aum or Om. Believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the center of being, the atman or soul.
There is harmony, peace and glory that sound simple but deeply philosophical. By vibrating the sacred syllable Om, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Personality of Godhead Last and leave his body, he will certainly reach the ultimate state of eternity "stateless", says the Bhagavad Gita.
The Vision of Om
Om provides a dualistic point of view. On the one hand, it projects the mind beyond the immediate to what is abstract and inexpressible. On the other hand, makes the absolute more tangible and comprehensive. It encompasses all potentialities and possibilities, is all that was, is, or can be. He is omnipotent and also remains elusive.
The Power of OM
During meditation, when we chant Om, we create within ourselves a vibration that harmonizes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until, finally, he lets the sound.
In the silence, thought-Om-is quenched only; no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as Individual Self merges with the Infinite Self in the religious moment of realization.
It is a time when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal.
Such is the immeasurable power of Om.
No comments:
Post a Comment