WHY 'AUM' IS CHANTED IN THE BEGINNING?

முதலில்  'ஓம்'  என்று ஏன் சொல்லுகிறோம்?




‘AUM’ is the sound of Brahman and has a great effect on the mind and body of person chanting and also on the surroundings.  Most Vedic Mantras and Vedic prayers start with  ‘AUM’.

It has three curves representation three states of consciousness. 

It has three hidden sounds and three letters. Together they symbolize the Absolute consciousness(zero). 

The lower curve represents  outward moving wakeful consciousness,  middle curve  represents the inner moving dream consciousness and the upper curve represents the silent consciousness of deep sleep.  The semi circle above  the upper curve represents turiya or the pure consciousness  and the Oneness as the three Gods become one ‘Brahman’ as detailed above.

Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.  It is also used in greetings

As Om, Hari om!  and repeated as mantra or meditated also.  It is made up of three letters (அகார, உகார, மகார)  A as in ‘around’ U as in ‘put’ and M as in ‘mum’.  I have already in earlier postings that the three letters symbolizes three states i.e., waking, dream and deep sleep and also the three deities, three lokas. The formless attributes of Lord Brahman is represented in the silence between two Om chants.  ‘AUM’ is called pranava mantra i.e., the symbol by which is Lord is praised.  It is said that the Lord started creating everything after chanting ‘AUM’ and ‘Atha’. Hence its sound is considered as  auspicious beginng for any task we undertake.