Why do Hindus chant Om?

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Why do Hindus chant Om?

MIL/Submitted by a devotee, Aug 16, 2006.

 

 

 

Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. It has a

profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also

on the surroundings.

 

Most mantras and vedic prayers start with Om. All auspicious actions

begin with Om. It is even used as a greeting - Om, Hari Om etc. It

is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon.

 

Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious

sign.

 

Om is the universal name of the Lord. It is made up of the letters A

(phonetically as in "around"), U (phonetically as in "put") and M

(phonetically as in "mum").

 

The sound emerging from the vocal chords starts from the base of the

throat as "A". With the coming together of the lips, "U" is formed

and when the lips are closed, all sounds end in "M".

 

The three letters symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep

sleep), the three deities (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), the three

Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah)

etc.

 

The Lord is all these and beyond. The formless, attribute less Lord

(Brahman) is represented by the silence between two Om Chants.

 

Om is also called pranava that means, "that (symbol or sound) by

which the Lord is praised". The entire essence of the Vedas is

enshrined in the word Om. It is said that the Lord started creating

the world after chanting Om and atha.

 

Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for

any task that we undertake. The Om chant should have the resounding

sound of a bell (aaooommm).

 

Om is written in different ways in different places. The most common

form symbolizes Lord Ganesha's.

 

The upper curve is the head; the lower large one, the Stomach; the

side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular mark with the dot, the

sweetmeat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha's hand.

 

Thus Om symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the

world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all form

and the Formless.

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