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OM represents, in its silent significance, both the manifest and the

unmanifest, which together constitute the entire subtle and gross

world. The word loka in Sanskrit is generally translated as 'world',

but, in its etymological meaning, it signifies 'a field of

experience'.

 

The entire possibility of experience in life has been terraced by

the rsis into fourteen worlds; seven higher lokas and seven lower

worlds. There are three worlds in which a limited ego-centre comes

to play its game of reincarnation and repeated deaths: these are (1)

Bhur-loka, the physical earth; (2) Bhuvar-loka, the world next to

the physical and closely connected with it, but constituted of finer

matter; and (3) Suvar-loka, the heavenly world. Beyond these are the

four other 'worlds' wherein the ego comes to move about and enjoy in

its higher evolutionary life, and they are called the Mahar-loka,

Jana- loka, Tapa-loka, and Satya-loka.

 

In the Hindu literature we also find conceptions of other 'worlds'

such as Indra-loka, Candra-loka, Surya-loka, Pitra-loka, etc., which

are special 'realms of experiences' located within the above

regions.

 

Below these seven 'worlds' there is yet another set of

seven 'worlds' called the talas. They are named as Pa-talam, Maha-

talam, Rasa-talam, Tala- talam, Su-talam, Vi-talam, and A-talam.

 

Of these fourteen 'worlds', Bhur-Bhuvar-Suvar, denoting the 'three

worlds', are called the vyahrtis. In the Gayatri Mantra, when these

vyahrtis are chanted, the meditator can visualise the 'three worlds'

as arising from, existing in, and disappearing into AUM. He can

subjectively identify them with the waking, dream, and deep-sleep

conditions of consciousness, transcending which extends the realms

of the Infinite. All of them are represented in the symbol OM. In

this sense, the vyahrtis in the Gayatri represent in one sweep the

entire 'world' of the subjective and the objective experiences of

man.

 

**The idea belongs to Hinduism, and in the fourth Gospel of the New

Testament we read it repeated: 'In the beginning was the Word and

the Word was with God and the Word was God.'

 

***In Sanskrit the vowel 'O' is constitutionally a diphthong,

compounded of A and U: OM can also be written as AUM.

 

****Which must be regarded as forming part of its sound in a latent,

meaningful state of repose

 

http://www.jayarams.com/omchinmaya.htm