Om meaning - Why every mantra starts with Om - scientific facts, research & benefits

Published By: Bhakti Home
Published on: Sunday, Jul 14, 2024
Last Updated: Monday, Jul 15, 2024
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Om meaning
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The sacred syllable "Om" (ॐ / ओम) encapsulates the essence of the universe, transcending religious boundaries. In this article we will understand Om meaning or meaning of Om. This universal sound, comprising just two and a half letters, resonates across Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Om is not exclusive to any individual or faith; it belongs to all, embodying the cosmos. Considered the "primordial sound," Om is believed to have existed before creation, echoing through the universe.

 

Om meaning 

The creation of the word ॐ (Om) is divine.  The three aspects of the Supreme Being (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva). Lets understand Om meaning in detail.

 =  ब्रह्म + अ = ब्रह्मा
 = विष्ण + उ = विष्णु 
=  म + हेश = महेश 

A = Brahm + A = Brahma
U = Vishn + U = Vishnu
M = Ma + Hesh = Mahesh

First mentioned in the Upanishads, Om (ॐ) is described as a cosmic sound, mystical word, and affirmation of divine principles. 

ॐ या ओम शब्द संस्कृत के तीन अक्षरों से बना है: "अ", "उ", और "म"

Comprising three Sanskrit letters - "A", "U", and "M" - Om (ॐ) represents the beginning, middle, and end.

Lets Try to do it - when you say A it opens mouth, when you say U it puts your mouth or lips in middle position and when you say M you close mouth.

The letter "A" signifies the starting point, produced from the back of the throat, while "u" represents change and transition.  The final letter "M" symbolizes the end, formed by joining the lips and closing the mouth. 

Together, Om encapsulates all sounds and languages, embodying the creation of the universe. 
This syllable is also associated with various interpretations, including the three gunas (tamas, rajas, and sattva).

ॐ में तीन वक्र हैं, एक अर्धवृत्त और एक बिंदु। निचला वक्र जाग्रत अवस्था को दर्शाता है, ऊपरी वक्र गहरी नींद का प्रतीक है, और दायाँ वक्र स्वप्न अवस्था को दर्शाता है। बिंदु परम तत्व का प्रतीक है - जो अन्य तीन अवस्थाओं को प्रकाशित करता है।

The Om symbol comprises three curved elements and a dot, each holding significant meaning. The lower curve represents the state of conscious awareness, while the upper curve signifies the state of deep sleep and unconsciousness. 

The right-side curve embodies the dream state, where consciousness and subconsciousness intersect. The dot, illuminating the three curves, symbolizes the ultimate reality, transcending the three states and representing the absolute truth.

The pronunciation of Om encompasses all sounds and symbolizes the ultimate reality, making it a profound and universal symbol.

 

Why every mantra starts with Om

Om is a revered mantra, transcending religious boundaries as a universal sound. It embodies the essence of all words, symbolizing the cosmic energy that initiated creation. 

As we know Om meaning now, this sacred syllable comprises three distinct sounds - 'A', 'U', and 'M' - representing the continuum of past, present, and future. 

The Aum mantra harmonizes masculine, feminine, and neutral principles, acknowledging the interconnectedness of speech, mind, and breath. It also honors the triad of Indian cosmology - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva - embodying creation, preservation, and transformation. 

By invoking Aum (ॐ), we acknowledge the divinity within ourselves, inviting its presence and guidance in our journey.

 

हर मंत्र की शुरुआत ॐ से क्यों होती है?

ॐ एक पवित्र मंत्र है, जो धार्मिक सीमाओं से परे एक सार्वभौमिक ध्वनि के रूप में मौजूद है। 

यह सभी शब्दों का सार है, जो सृष्टि की शुरुआत करने वाली ब्रह्मांडीय ऊर्जा का प्रतीक है। जैसा कि हम अब जानते हैं, इस पवित्र शब्दांश में तीन अलग-अलग ध्वनियाँ शामिल हैं - 'अ', 'उ' और 'म' - जो अतीत, वर्तमान और भविष्य की निरंतरता का प्रतिनिधित्व करती हैं। 

ॐ मंत्र पुरुष, स्त्री और तटस्थ सिद्धांतों का सामंजस्य स्थापित करता है, जो वाणी, मन और सांस की परस्पर संबद्धता को स्वीकार करता है। यह ब्रह्मांड विज्ञान के त्रिदेव - ब्रह्मा, विष्णु और महेश - का भी प्रतिनिधित्व करता है - जो सृजन, संरक्षण और परिवर्तन का प्रतीक है। 

ॐ का आह्वान करके, हम अपने भीतर की दिव्यता को स्वीकार करते हैं, अपनी यात्रा में इसकी उपस्थिति और मार्गदर्शन को आमंत्रित करते हैं।

 

Om sound science & significance of om sound

Chanting AUM at the beginning of each class has profound effects that extend beyond philosophy. Sound has long been recognized as a potent healing tool, and ancient yogis harnessed its power through mantra chanting. 

Mantras like AUM leverage sound vibrations to resonate with specific body parts, influencing our well-being. Aum's frequency of 432 Hz falls within our hearing range, producing longer sound waves that impact larger surface areas. 

Physically, Aum engages our entire vocal instrument, activating the larynx and resonating in the stomach, chest, throat, nasal cavity, skull, and brain. By chanting Aum, we channel energy from the abdomen to the brain, experiencing a calming effect on the mind and clarity of thought. Regular practice attunes us to the transformative potential of sound.

 

Benefits of chanting om

1. Purifying the Environment

Chanting OM not only benefits the individual but also the surrounding environment. The sacred vibrations produced by uttering OM overpower negative energies, maintaining positivity and preventing it from dissipating.

2. Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Regular OM chanting in meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. The vibrations activate specific nerves and centers, regulating the endocrine system and mitigating stress-inducing chemicals.

3. Strengthening the Spinal Cord

Chanting OM while sitting in meditation impacts the spinal cord. The 'Aa' sound originates from the naval root, vibrating throughout the spinal cord to vitalize nerves and improve its function.

4. Enhancing Digestive Health

OM chanting stimulates the vagus nerve, regulating digestion-related activities. This leads to improved digestive processes and overall health.

5. Maintaining Heart Rhythm

Chanting OM has a calming effect on the heart, preserving its natural rhythm. The 'Ooh' sound spreads through the thoracic region, maintaining cardiac cycle regularity.

6. Boosting Energy by Increasing Oxygen Levels

Chanting OM increases oxygen levels in the blood, reducing fatigue and promoting overall well-being.

Thus, chanting Om harmonizes us with the universe's rhythm, connecting us to the ebb and flow of life, from the sun's descent to the heartbeat's cadence. As we resonate with Om, our breath, awareness, and energy align, revealing a profound sense of unity that brings peace to the mind and soul.

 

Om scientific facts & om scientific research

Recent advancements in sound spectrum analysis and brain imaging technology have enabled researchers to study the soundwaves produced by chanting and the physical responses triggered by repeating the AUM(OM/ॐ) sound. 

In one study, volunteers with no prior chanting experience were analyzed before and after regular AUM(ॐ) chanting. The results showed that their initial soundwaves were irregular, indicating unsteady breathing and restless minds. However, after regular chanting, their soundwaves became smooth, evenly spaced, and harmonic, revealing improved breathing and a stronger mind-breath connection, leading to enhanced calmness. 

Another study used f-MRI scans to examine brain activity during and after AUM (OM/ॐ) chanting, finding that regular practice can effectively treat depression and epilepsy. 

Additional research revealed that regular AUM (OM/ॐ) chanting can lower high blood pressure, improve concentration, and reduce stress levels. These scientific findings validate the ancient yogic understanding of Aum's healing potential, demonstrating the profound impact of a single sound.

Ancient yogis recognized the transient nature of existence, mirrored in the pulsing vibrations of Om. Though often imperceptible, this sound permeates nature - in rustling leaves, ocean waves, and the conch shell's hum.

 

NASA sun sound - sounds like OM or something else ?

Here is NASA video related to Sounds of Sun. NASA heliophysicist Alex Young explains how sound connects us with the Sun and all other stars. This also resembles with Om sound.

 

NASA black hole sound - sounds like OM?

Another reference - NASA uncovered a groundbreaking audio representation of celestial sound waves in 2022. By harnessing X-ray data, they skillfully transformed the vibrations of a colossal black hole into an audible experience, offering insight into its dynamic interaction with plasma within the Perseus galaxy cluster, situated a remarkable 250 million light years away from our planet.

Everyone has their own perception however many people think this as Om.

 

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