Introduction
Om (or Aum) is a Sanskrit word, which has been around since time immemorial. It is widely used in the religious scriptures of the Hindus and has been adopted by the teachers of Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism as well.
The Origin
The origin of Om cannot be exactly referenced because it goes way back in time. The earliest references are found in ancient Hindu scriptures , although it may astonish you to know that the ‘Vedas’, which are among the oldest and most sacred Sanskrit texts of Hinduism, do not make a mention of Om. This, it is said, was not because Om was not known or used in the time of the Vedas. It is because of the sanctity attached to the use of Om. The right to the use of Om was earned only after undergoing severe spiritual practices that called for self denial and simple living. Om was passed from a learned guru or spiritual teacher to the most deserving students. Over time, with a relaxation of these rules, Om began to be mentioned in later sacred Hindu texts.
The Meaning
The significance of Om has since been the focal point of discussion
of several texts, and the interpretations and meanings of the word are
too numerous to be referenced. Just to understand some of these
interpretations would require an in-depth knowledge of philosophy.
Om
is thought to bridge the gap between the known world and the unknown
creator of everything we perceive. One of the most popular
interpretations is that the three sounds that make up Om represent the
three stages that all humans go through. These are the waking state,
the dream state and the deep sleep state, thus embracing all that we
experience in life.
Other interpretations tell us that Om is a
representation of the Creator. Om is believed to be the sound of life,
present as a vibration in all living beings and in nature. It is also
believed that Om was the sound that was produced when this universe was
created.
Om and the Hindu Way of Life
All Hindu prayers begin with Om, and the word is used several times throughout the prayer. Devout Hindus and people practicing Hinduism begin writing on a blank page only after they have scribbled a small Om at the top. It is the first letter written on a wedding invitation or any other document of personal importance. Students taking exams invoke the Om before they begin writing their answers. A bride on entering her new home is asked to draw the symbol of Om, marking an auspicious beginning to her married life. Traditionally, bookkeepers marked the accounts books with Om before using them. New born babies have Om traced on their tongues by an elder in the house.
Om in Other Faiths
Om as a sound with mystical properties is not specific to any country, civilization or religion. It is a universal sound that has been used in many faiths, adapted to suit the spiritual practices of a particular group. The Buddha is believed to have heard the Om when he was meditating on the mysteries of life. The sound is said to have led him to the Truth. In the Jain religion, Om is believed to be made up of the five initials of the supreme authorities who are worthy of being worshipped. The five initials, A+A+A+U+M, together form the Aum. The Sikhs refer to Om as Omkar, and this sound is an essential part of daily worship. There is the ‘Amen’ used in Christianity and the ‘Amin’ used in Islam. The sounds that make up Om find echoes in ‘Amen’ and ‘Amin’ too.
