In Puranic Hinduism, Aum
is the mystic name for the Hindu Trimurti, and represents
the union of the three gods, viz. a for Brahma, u for Vishnu and m for Mahadev which is another name of Shiva.
The three sounds also symbolize the three Vedas
(Rig-Veda, Samaveda, Yajurveda).
According to Hindu philosophy(see Mandukya Upanishad), the letter A represents creation, when all existence issued forth from Brahma's golden nucleus; the letter U refers to Vishnu the god of the middle who preserves this world by balancing Brahma on a lotus above himself, and the letter M symbolizes the final part of the cycle of existence, when Vishnu falls asleep and Shiva has to breathe in so that all existing things have to disintegrate and are reduced to their essence to him. More broadly, Aum is said to be the primordial sound that was present at the creation of the universe. It is said to be the original sound that contains all other sounds, all words, all languages and all mantra
The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllableOm
is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires.
This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this
support is adored in the world of Brahma."
~ Katha Upanishad I
Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol
(as seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism —
omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in
itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize
the Unknowable.
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 cleansed and the sacred syllableOm
is written on its tongue with honey. Thus right at the time of birth the
syllable Om is initiated into the life of a
Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety. Om
is also a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos.
There is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllableOm , the supreme combination of
letters, if one thinks of the Ultimate Personality of Godhead and quits his
body, he will certainly reach the highest state of "stateless"
eternity, states the Bhagavad-Gita .
According to Hindu philosophy(see Mandukya Upanishad), the letter A represents creation, when all existence issued forth from Brahma's golden nucleus; the letter U refers to Vishnu the god of the middle who preserves this world by balancing Brahma on a lotus above himself, and the letter M symbolizes the final part of the cycle of existence, when Vishnu falls asleep and Shiva has to breathe in so that all existing things have to disintegrate and are reduced to their essence to him. More broadly, Aum is said to be the primordial sound that was present at the creation of the universe. It is said to be the original sound that contains all other sounds, all words, all languages and all mantra
The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllable
~ Katha Upanishad I
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 cleansed and the sacred syllable
There is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable
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