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Significance of ‘Om’ A.K.Mukhopadhyaya August 14,2016

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Page 1: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Significance of ‘Om’ A.K.Mukhopadhyaya

August 14,2016

Page 2: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah Pranamya sirasa devam gauriputram Vinayakam

bhaktavasam snarenityam ayuhu kamartha siddhaye

Gajanan hey Subhanana Gauri nandana Gajavadana Musika vahana Gajanana Modak hasta Gajanana Pasupati tanaya Gajanana Paramadayala Gajanana

Page 3: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om: The Pathway From Secular to Sacred

Page 4: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Different Configurations:’ OM’

Page 5: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om: The Sacred Sound of many Religions

Om (aum)- the Sacred Sanskrit word became:

Hum of the Tibetans.

Amin of the Moslems.

Amen of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Christians.

Amen in Hebrew.

Page 6: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Image of Om

Page 7: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om: The matrix of all sounds In making a sound we use the larynx and the palate as a sounding board. Om (Aum) is an unique sound, and forms the basis of all sounds. The first letter, A, is the root sound, the key, pronounced without touching any part of the tongue or palate; M represents the last sound in the series, being produced by the closed lips, and the U rolls from the very root to the end of the sounding board of the mouth. Thus, Om represents the whole phenomena of sound-producing.

Page 8: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Mystical significance of ‘Om’: Isvara Om mystically embodies the essence of the entire universe. This meaning is further deepened by the Vedic declaration that God first created the Divine Sound and the universe arose from it. As the most Sacred Sound, Om is the root of the universe and everything that exists and it continues to hold everything together.

“Matta parataram nanyat kinchid asti dhananjaya

Mayi sarvam idam protam sutre manigana iva

Arjuna, there is nothing superior to Me; everything existing is connected to Me like pearls on a thread(Bh.Gita 7.7)

Page 9: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’
Page 10: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Power of Name: Swami Sivananda If youhink of “Garam Pakoda” , “hot Pakoda”, your tongue will get salivation. There is a Sakti in every word. When such is the case with ordinary words, how much more power or Sakti should there be in the Name of God – HARI, RAMA, SIVA, or KRISHNA? Repetition or thinking of His Name produces a tremendous influence on the mind. It transforms the mental substance, “Chitta”, overhauls the viciouos old Samskaras in the mind, transmutes the Asuric or diabolical nature and brings the devotee face to face with God. There is no doubt about this.

Page 11: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Means to God-Realization Stated by Swami Sivananda:

O Skeptics and scientific atheists! Wake up!Open your eyes. Chant His Name always. Sing. Do KIRTANA Nama-Smarana that is free from difficulties and troubles. It is easy, comfort-giving and simple. It is said to be the “head”, the “King” of all Sadhanas (means to God-realisation).

(This applies to all sacred names: certainly Om)

Page 12: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Chanting Om together (Everybody chant together)

Om, Om, Om, Om, Om.

Om Namah Shivay(x5)

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya(x5)

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah(x5)

Om Srim Hrim Srim Om Bhuvanesyaryai Namah(x5)

Om Sharavana Bhavaye Namah(x5)

Om Sri Ramdutaye Vayuputraye Hanumate Namah(x5)

Om Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurudeva Maheswarah

Guru sakshat Parabrahma tasmayi sri Gurave namah(x5)

Page 13: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Mother Earth is chanting Om: Sri Ravishankar

“You know, somewhere in Boston during Guru Purnima in 2010, a lady from the Boston-Connecticut area had done a research where she recorded the sound Om, put it in the computer and found that the frequency of Om is exactly the same as the frequency of earth’s rotation around its own axis. So, in some sense, earth is saying ‘Om’. It is very interesting.”

Page 14: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Paramahamsa Yogananda: Om sound

“During meditation when the eyes become calm and quiet, you should be able to see a light, but it is more important that you hear the astral sounds of the cerebrospinal centers, or the Om sound. First you may hear the buzzing of a bee, then a flute, then a harp seemingly playing beautifully far off in the distance. This is the harp of heavenly astral music. Then you may hear a sound as of a huge gong-bell; and finally will follow the great rolling sound of Om like a bursting sea–like the sound of many waters.”

Page 15: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om: and the Chakras

Page 16: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Sound of the Cosmic Energy: Anahat Nada

it is believed that the whole universe, in its fundamental form, is made up of vibrating, pulsating energy. Om is considered as the humming sound of this cosmic energy: The ‘Anahat Nada’(Unstruck Sound).

Page 17: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Patanjali Yoga Sutras on Om

This great authority on yoga refers to Aum as a Cosmic Sound continuously flowing in the ether, unutterable by any human voice, and fully known only to the illuminated. Further, Patanjali says that deep concentration on Aum is a means of liberation.

Page 18: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Kathopanishad: Om is Brahman

"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 Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support.”

Page 19: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

“Om”: an Expression of the Inexpressible Brahman= The Impersonal Absolute of Sanatana Dharma- Omnipotent and Omnipresent and the source of all existence.

“Om”= Pranava= It pervades life and runs through our Prana.

“Om” is an expression of the inexpressible: a visible symbol of the Invisible incomprehensible.

Page 20: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om: Past, Present, and Future (Mandukya Upanishad)

Om is the Akshara, or imperishable syllable. The past, the present and the future, all that was, all that is, all that will be, is Om. Likewise, all else that may exist beyond the bounds of time, that too is Om.(Mandukya)

“Vedaham sam atitani vartamanani cha arjuna

Bhabishyani cha bhutani mam tu veda na kaschana”(Bh Gita 7.26)

I know everything about the past, present and the future of all but, Me, no one knows.

Page 21: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Sacred Gayatri Mantra starts with Om

Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

ॐ भभूुर्व: स्व: तत्स�वतुवर्रेण्यं । भग� देवस्य धीम�ह, धीयो यो न: प्रचोदयात ्।।

Page 22: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Gayatri Mantra: Om The Vedas declare:

To chant the Gayatri Mantra

purifies the chanter.

To listen to the Gayatri Mantra

purifies the listener.

But the mantra does more: It opens up your heart. And when both our minds and our hearts open, Divine vibrations change the person.

Page 23: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra Full interpretation:

The earth (bhur), the planets (bhuvah), and the galaxies (swah) are moving at a very great velocity, the sound produced is Om: God. That God (tat), who manifests Himself in the form of light of the Sun (Savitur) is worthy of our respect (varenyam). We therefore, meditate (dheemahi) upon the light (bhargo) of that Deity (devasya) and chant Om. May He (yo) guide us(nah) and our intellect(dhiyo) in the right direction (prachodayat)

Page 24: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Gayatri Mantra: Eknath Easwaran

“We meditate upon the spiritual effulgence of that adorable supreme Divine Reality who is the source of the physical, the astral and the heavenly spheres of existence. May that Supreme Divine being enlighten our intellect, so that we may realize the supreme truth.”

Page 25: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Gayatri Chanting (Everybody sings together)

Total Chanting(x5)

OM BHUR BHUVASYAH

TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM

BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI

DHIYO NAH PRACHODAYAT

Page 26: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Meaning of the curvatures

Page 27: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

“Om”: Three curves, one semicircle and a dot

1. Upper curve= Deep sleep without dream

2. Lower Curve= Conscious state

3. The third curve on the side- Dream state

4. The semicircle on top(crescent)= Maya

5. The dot= Turiya state, a spiritually awakened state of God-Realization: One with God

Page 28: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Mandukya Upanishad

1: Hari Om. Om-ity-etad-aksharam-idam sarvam, tasyo upa vyakhyanam bhutam bhavad bhavishyad iti sarvam-omkara eva. Yacc anyat trikalatitam tadapy omkara eva

All is OM: Hari Om. The whole universe is the syllable Om. Following is the exposition of Om. Everything that was, is, or will be is, in truth Om. All else which transcends time, space, and causation is also Om.

Page 29: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

‘Om’ extends into all of our experiences Find the Experiencer:

The one who experiences all of these states of consciousness is the omniscient, indwelling source and director of all. This one is the womb out of which all of the others emerge. All things originate from and dissolve back into this source.

“Aham atma gudhakesha sarva bhuta sayas thitah

Aham adscha maddham cha bhutanam anta eva cha”

“I am the Supersoul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living entities,

I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.(Bh Gita 10.20)

Page 30: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Image of Swamimalai Temple (Om Sharavana Bhavaya Namah)

Page 31: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Swamimalai and Swaminathan Lord Muruga said that he knew the meaning of OM and could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter can accept him as his Guru and listen to him with full devotion and Bhakthi. Lord Shiva agreed and listened to him obediently as a disciple whilst Lord Muruga taught him the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. As Lord Muruga became a Guru to the Swami (Lord Shiva) himself, the place came to be known as Swamimalai and the presiding deity as Swaminathan.

Page 32: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om: The boat to cross the ocean of Samsara

It is said that if a person dies in Kasi, Goddess Parvati puts the dead person on Her lap, and gently strokes the body, while Siva recites ‘Aum Nama Sivaya,' and the soul departs for Kailasa, His abode.

“Aum” is a mantra that will help us cross the ocean of ‘samsara.'

Page 33: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Chanting Om and meditating on Krishna: At the time of Death: Sri Krishna frees the person from Samsara

om ity ekaksaram brahma-

vyaharan man anusmaran

yah prayati tyajan deham

sa yati paramam gatim(Bh. Gita)

"After being situated in this yoga practice and vibrating the sacred syllable om, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of Me at the time of death, he will certainly reach Me.”

Page 34: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Sri Krishna with “Om” around Him

Page 35: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Lord Shiva and Om together

Page 36: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Shivalinga with ‘Om’

Page 37: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Lord Ganesha’s body represents the ‘Om’ in three curvatures

Page 38: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Lord Subramanya and Om Nityaanna dhana nirata akhila rogaharin Bhagya pradana paripurita bhakta kama

Page 39: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Srichakra with Om

Page 40: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Bhagvad Gita: about Om Rasoham apsu kaunteya prabha asmi sasi suryayah

Pranava sarvavedesu, sabdah khe, paurusam nrisu(7.8)

Om ity ekaksharam brahma vyaharan mam anusmaran

Yah prayati tyajam deham sa yati paramam gatim(8.13)

Pitaham asya jagato mata dhata pitamaha

Vedyam pavitram omkaram rik sam yajur evacha(9.17)

Maharsinam Bhrigur aham giram asmi ekam aksharam

Yagnanam Japa-yajnosmi sthavaranam himalaya.(10.25)

Om Tat Sat ity nirdeso brahmanas trividhah smritah(17.23)

Tasmat Om ity udahritya yagna-dana-tapah-kriyah.(10.24)

Page 41: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Japa Om Maharshinam bhrigu raham

giram asmy ekam aksharam

yajnanam japa-yajno ’smi

sthavaranam himalayah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 25)

Ekam aksharam=Om

"Sri Krishna said: Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; Of vibrations / sounds I am the transcendental Om. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things I am the Himalayas."

Page 42: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

TRUE AWAKENING (YA NISHA SARVABHUTANAM SASYAM JAGARTI SAMYAMI)

What then of the awakening, after the fair dream of life? Instead of hope and fear—the hope to win, and the fear to lose—there is perfect possession; instead of love and hate—love with its terrible shadow, separation; hate with its terrible shadow, fear—there is perfect unity that knows no separation; that laughs at the transparent shadows of space and time. Instead of the feasts of this world and paradise, there is the perpetual presence of the divine essence of both; a perpetual dwelling above the ocean of birth and rebirth.

Page 43: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Hearing ‘Om’ when coming back from Samadhi

Great men like Avatâras, in coming back from Samadhi to the realm of "I" and "mine", first experience the ‘Unmanifest Nada’, which by degrees grows distinct and appears as Om, and then from Omkâra, the subtle form of the universe as a mass of ideas becomes experienced, and last, the material universe comes into perception.(Swami Vivekananda)

Page 44: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Vibration of Om chanting (Swami Sivananda)

Pronounced as spelt, it will have a certain effect upon the student; but pronounced in its correct method, it arouses and transforms every atom in his physical body, setting up new vibrations and conditions, and awakening the sleeping power of the body.(Swami Sivananda)

Page 45: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Meditation on Om (Swami Sivananda)

As soon as you sit for meditation, chant Om loudly 12 times. This will drive away all worldly thoughts from the mind and remove Vikshepa (tossing of mind). Then take to the mental repetition of Om.

Page 46: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om: and the spinal chakras In the microcosmic universe of the body of man, the Aum vibration works through the vital activities in the astral spinal centers of life with their creative vibratory elements (tattvas) of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The devotee whose consciousness becomes attuned to these inner astral sounds finds himself gradually ascending to higher states of realization. (Paramahamsa Yogananda)

Page 47: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

What is our duty ?: Perform Japa

"Life is short. Time is fleeting. The world is full of miseries. Cut the knot of Avidya and drink the Nirvanic bliss. That day on which you do not perform Japa is simply wasted. Those who simply eat, drink and sleep and do not perform Japa are horizontal beings only.”

Swami Sivananda

Page 48: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Om is The Guru: Guru Natha: Everybody sings

OM GURU NATHA JAYA GURU NATHA

JAYA GURU NATHA MAMA GURU NATHA

MAMA GURU NATHA SAT GURU NATHA

SAT GURU NATHA JAYA GURU NATHA

Page 49: Significance of ‘Om’ - Sri Meenakshi Temple · PDF fileThe first letter, A, is the root ... could teach the same to Lord Shiva, provided if the latter ... Significance of ‘Om’

Yo Yo Yam Yam Tanum bhaktah sraddhayar chitum icchati Tasya tasyachalam sraddham tam eva vidadhamiaham(B.Gita 7.20)

(All worships and prayers reach almighty God)