In the Hindu sacred texts called
Upanishads, it is explicitly mentioned that “In the beginning there was the
word and the word was Om.” There was a time when nothing existed part from a
tranquil, quiet space. Then out of the nonentity came an entity. The first
movement from the un-manifest to the manifest is known as the vibration of Om.
Thus, Om is the holiest of all the holy
words and mother of all names and forms. Om represents Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.
It is believed that
the whole universe is made up of vibrating, pulsating energy. Om (or
alternately Aum) is considered to be the humming sound of this cosmic energy.
Om or Aum is said to be the original primordial creative sound from which the
entire universe was manifested. It is also known as the “Anahata Nada”,
the “Unstruck Sound”, meaning that it is not made by two things striking
together. Om emanates on its own. So, what happens in our bodies when we chant
Om? The cells, molecules, atoms and sub-atomic particles all vibrate in the
same wavelength as the mantra…...we bring peace and light down from above and
create a universal harmony within and without us. It has been said “He who
knows ‘Om’ knows God.” To some it may sound like new age mumbo jumbo…. until
you have experienced it, and then you know—–you believe every word. I
have found that chanting AUM is more powerful since it incorporates the sound
AH, which vibrates with and opens the Heart chakra, and OM which opens the 6th
or Third Eye chakra, and mmmm which opens the Crown chakra. Something
like this: Aahhh…Oooo…mmmm, being sure you ration the
breath to be able to produce every sound since each is important.
In Islam, Om referred
to as Saamaa. Saamaa is the hum that helps you find a spiritual connection with
Allah. In Sikhism, Omkar is the only truth. Om is auspicious and its chanting
helps us in attaining harmony. Thus, OM is the transcendental reverberation
that carries magic that can free your mind from material conditioning.
Om is not a word but
rather an intonation, which is beyond the barricades of age, race and culture.
It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined
together, make the sound Aum or Om. Om contains all other sounds. It is a
mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can
resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the center of
one's being, the atman or soul.
Om is God (Brahman).
“Om is Brahman, the
Primeval Being” (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.1.1).
“That [Om] is the
quintessence of the essences, the Supreme, the highest” (Chandogya Upanishad
1.1.3).
“I will tell you
briefly of that Goal which all the Vedas with one voice propound, which all the
austerities speak of, and wishing for Which people practice discipline: It is
Om” (Katha Upanishad 1. 2.15-17).
“Om is the supreme
Brahman” (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1:7).
“God is the Syllable
Om” (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 4:17).
“Om is Brahman”
(Taittiriya Upanishad 1.8.1).
“Brahman is the Truth
that is indicated as ‘Om.’” (Yoga Vasishta 6:1:30).
“The monosyllable Om
is the highest Brahman” (Manu Smriti 2:83,87).
'(OM) Is expressive of God.’
(OM) is the
king of all mantras is the un-struck sound. It arises naturally. Is composed of
three syllables: A+U+M+ the half syllable is such a wonderful mantra of God’s
name that there have been many explanations about it many spiritual texts have
been written on it and yet no one has been able to claim that ‘I have
written completely about its glory’.
(OM) Mantra has nineteen powers:
1. Power of
protection: When we do Japa of a mantra with it protects our Japa and taken
Mantra-Diksha is destined to come to trouble or to meet with an accident, the
deity of the mantra minimizes the magnitude the accident or the trouble.
Thousands have experienced this power in their lives in a miraculous way. ‘Oh!
The car overturned thrice, but I haven’t even get a scratch. I had lost my job,
this happened, that happened but consequently that same man called me asked me
for forgiveness and reappointed me I even got a promotion…’ people have
innumerable experiences of this nature! These experiences display the potency
of omnipotent God.
2. Power of
stimulation: It might be that you and meditation and had become apathetic towards it
probably you were confused about your duties. The power of mantra stimulates
you and helps you in your endeavors on the path of Sadhana and you start good
progress.
3. Power of lustre: With mantra Japa,
one’s evil tendencies get destroyed and his mind becomes pure. He becomes Lustrous
and radiant in thought and conduct. This does not mean that miracles will
happen a day two. Will happen gradually. No one becomes a graduate in a day; no
one finishes his M.A. studies in a day. Similarly, one’ s life doesn’t get
transformed miraculously in a day. After having taken a mantra, by and by as
you do your Japa with faith, concentration and purity, the benefits of the
mantra will keep accruing to you.
4. Power of
Love: As your Japa progresses, your love towards the deity of the mantra, the
Rishi associated with the mantra and towards the potency of the mantra will
keep growing.
5. Power of
fulfillment: As you do Japa of the mantra, you will have progressively greater sense
of fulfillment and satisfaction. Those who follow a regular regimen of doing Japa
feel lacking and unfulfilled if they miss out doing Japa on some day. On the
days they do their Japa they feel contented and satisfied within.
Those who have
assimilated power of mantra become forceful in what they say. People don’ t feels
so contented listening to a politician delivering his speech but when those who
have assimilated the power of mantra speak, people become nobler and feel
highly contented and they become disciples of the master.
6. Power of
reading others’ minds: Mantra Japa develops the power to know
the feelings of others. Like the omniscient God, you can become aware of
others’ feeling, the happenings of the past the future in the person’ s life
people can comment, ‘Oh! You are omniscient!’ But in reality, this development
of the divine power of within you.
7. Power of
oneness with Supreme Consciousness: Many Yogis have the power of knowing
all innermost feelings of others present, past and future. in playful moments,
they can tell you that you were like this and in such and such birth; you were
at such and such place; now you are like this. When sage Deer Ghatapa son Paavan
was grieving over his parents’ death, elder brother Punyak told him about his
previous lives. This legend appears in ‘Sri Yoga Vasishta Mahamaya’.
8. Power of
Listening: With the power attained by mantra Japa, one is able to grasp very
subtle, secret words. When Sukhdevji Maharaj started Satsang for king Parikshit,
The Gods came there. Sukhdevji spoke to the Gods. Maa Anandmayi too had direct
contact with the celestial world. Many other saints have this power. From a
distant, foreign land, a devotee out, ‘Guruji! Protect me...’ His cry reaches
Gurudev!
9. Power of
governance: Japa of develops the power to enforce order and to rule
10. Power of
accomplishment of goals: The Japa of giver power to accomplish
one’s goals.
11. Power of Action: The capability always
to remain immersed inaction, the development of frame of mind of mind that
enables one to remain immersed in action.
12. Power to
Fulfil Others’ wishes: God is without desire but one who does Japa
of develops the ability to fulfil the wishes of others. That is why people pay
obeisance to saints, queue up for their Darshan, make offerings and ask for
blessings. This power means that God who is without desire Himself illuminates
the path of fulfillment of noble wishes.
13. power of enlightenment: The Japa of
makes the heart more enlightened.
14. Power of
omnipresence: You can establish oneness with the pure Consciousness, with Brahman that
pervades each and every atom in the universe.
15. Power of
Embracing all: The power to develop affinity with others. The Japa of you will be able
to develop affection and ties even with unknown people, what to say of those
who you are related to you! Those who do not earn the wealth of mantra Japa are
not considered as their own even by their family members but those who have
amassed the wealth of Japa of are loved by their families, the people in their
society, the people of their village, their town, state. The whole country nay
the world becomes blissful and full of divine love thinking of them
16. Power of
Vanquishing: Can person who does Japa of become violent? Yes, he will become violent
but what kind of violence will he indulge in? He will vanquish evil thoughts
and he will not come under the pressure of evil people. That is, he will become
capable of destroying ignorance and evil tendencies.
17. Power of
Giving: A person who does Japa of will become a giver of nourishment and
prosperity. Then he won’t be a beggar; he will have the power to give. He will
not seek anything from deities or even God; he himself will start giving. There
was a saint. He would do Japa of and meditate. He used to live alone. He used
to go out in the mornings but he would remain quiet. People would come to him
to get their wishes fulfilled. People would fold their hands in respect and would
sit down in the queue. While walking amidst the people he would suddenly hit
someone. Would become happy, his work would be accomplished. The unemployed
would get a job, the childless would be blessed with a child and the ailing
would be cured of illness. People would keep their cheeks ready. But only the
fortunate ones would get slapped! I have not met that Maharaj but I have been
told about him by people who got his Darshan and benefited from it.
18. Power of
Enjoyment: At the time of final dissolution of the universe, the Ultimate Absolute
Substratum ingests all creation into itself. Similarly, one who does Japa of
has the ability to absorb all sorrows, worries, attractions, fears within. Him
just as everything gets merged in the ocean, all gets merged in him and he will
be playing blissfully with them like the ocean plays with its own waves…
otherwise the owner of one or two shops, one or two factories gets beset with
worry. But not just one or two shops factories, one ashram or one samiti, 1100,
1200 or 1500 are run excellently under the aegis of one who has done this kind
of Sadhana without causing any disturbance his mind! For such a person there is
new joy, ever new bliss, ever new play.
19. Power of
nurturing: Japa develops powers of creation and nurturing.
From OM To OMG:
Science, Your Brain, And the Productive Powers of Meditation
Using fMRI scans, we
can now see what meditation does to the brain. It can lead to a happier, more
productive, and creative life. And even two minutes a day can do wonders.
