Why do we chant Om?

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Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in Hinduism. 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. 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 sound ends with 'M'. The three

letters symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep sleep) the three

Lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), the three Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the

three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah and Suvah) etc. The Lord is all these and beyond. The

formless, attribute-less Lord is represented by the silence between two Om

chants. Om is also called pranav 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 it 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. It fills the mind with

peace, makes it focused and replete with subtle sound. People mediate on its

meaning and attain realization. Om is written in different ways in different

places.

 

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

the Truth behind it, the material and the sacred, all forms and the formless.