Monday 30 July 2012

Why do we chant OM?

Ever thought of it? OM as I have come to know is the name of the singularity. In laymans term GOD. Om is the name of that omni-present, omni-potent entity. We have named it in different names and known differently by different cultures.
OM is one of the most chanted sound symbols in INDIA. It has profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Most mantras and vedic prayers commence with OM. All auspious actions begin with OM. It is even used as a greeting. It is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.
OM is made up of 3 letters A U & M. The process of chanting OM is that the sound emanates from the throat as A and completes in the lips coming together as 7 and the closing of it as M. The three letters symbolises the three states
- Awake
- Dream
- Deep sleep
The three deities
- Brahma
- Vishnu
- Maheshwar
The three vegda
- Rig
- Sama
- Yajur
The three words
-Bhuh
- Bhuvah
- Suvah
The lord is all these and beyond. The formless, attributeless - Lord (Brahman/Singularity) is represented by the silence between two OM chants. OM is also called Pranava which means "that (symbol or sound) by which the lord is praised". The entire essence of the vedas are enshrined in this one word OM.
It is also believed that the lord almighty began creation of the worlds after chanting OM and atha. Hence the sound is considered to create auspicious beginning for any task we undertake.
The OM chanting should have a resounding sound of a bell. The sound fills the mind with peace, makes it focussed and replete with subtle sound. People meditate on its meaning and attain realisation.
Thus OM symbolises everything - the means and the goal of life, the universe and the truth behind it, the material and the sacred, all forms and the formless.

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