What is the power of Om?

Answer 1

The pinnacle of the wisdom and practices of the ancient sages of Yoga is contained in the twelve verses of the Mandukya Upanishad, which outlines the philosophy and practices of the AUM mantra. This Upanishad contains only 12 verses (slokas) in total and these verses are on AUM only! This Upanishad belongs to Atharva Veda.
Verses of Mandukya Upanishad:
Verses 1-2 describe the Self and the Absolute.
Verses 3-7 explain the four levels of consciousness.
Verses 8-12 outline the four aspects of AUM.

1) All is AUM........................ 7) Fourth - Turiya
2) Self - Atman - Brahman...... 8) A, U, and M
3) Waking - Vaishvanara.........9) A of AUM
4) Dreaming - Taijasa........... 10) U of AUM
5) Deep Sleep - Prajna........ 11) M of AUM
6) Experiencer of the three.. 12) Silence after AUM

1) 'Hari Om. Om-ity-etad-aksharam-idam sarvam, tasyopavyakhyanam bhutam bhavad bhavishyaditi sarvam-omkara eva. Yaccanyat trikalatitam tadapy omkara eva.'

All is OM: Hari Om. The whole universe is the syllable Om. Following is the exposition of Om. Everything that was, is, or will be is, in truth Om. All else which transcends time, space, and causation is also Om.

2) 'Sarvam hyetad brahmayam-atma brahma soyamatma catushpat.'

Atman has Four Aspects: All of this, everywhere, is in truth Brahman, the Absolute Reality. This very Self itself, Atman, is also Brahman, the Absolute Reality. This Atman or Self has four aspects through which it operates.

3) 'Jagarita-sthano bahish-prajnahsaptanga ekonavimsatimukhah sthula-bhug vaisvanarah prathamah padah.'

First is Waking / Gross: The first aspect of Atman is the Self in the Waking state, Vaishvanara. In this first state, consciousness is turned outward to the external world. Through its seven instruments* and nineteen channels* it experiences the gross objects of the phenomenal world.

4) 'Svapna-sthano'ntah-prajnah saptanga ekonavimsatimukhah praviviktabhuk taijaso dvitiyah padah.'

Second is Dreaming / Subtle: The second aspect of Atman is the Self in the Dreaming state, Taijasa. In this second state, consciousness is turned towards the inner world. It also operates through seven instruments and nineteen channels, which engage the subtle objects of the mental realm.

5) 'Yatra supto na kancana kamam kamayate na kancana svapnam pasyati tat sushuptam. Sushupta-asthāna ekibhutah prajnanaghana evanandamayo hyanandabhuk chetomukhah prajnastrityah padah.'

Third is Deep Sleep / Causal: The third aspect of Atman is the Self operating in the Deep Sleep state, Prajna. In this third state, there is neither the desire for any gross or subtle object, nor any dream sequences. In deep sleep, all such experiences have receded or merged into the ground of undifferentiated consciousness. Here, one is filled with the experience of bliss, and can also find the way to clearer knowledge of the two preceding states.

6) 'Esha sarvesvara esha sarvajna esho'ntaryamy-esha yonih sarvasya prabhavapyayau hi bhutanam.'

Find the Experiencer: The one who experiences all of these states of consciousness is the omniscient, indwelling source and director of all. This one is the womb out of which all of the other emerges. All things originate from and dissolve back into this source.

7) 'Nantah-prajnam na bahih-prajnam, nobhayatah-prajnam na prajnana-ghanam na prajnam naprajnam. Adrishtam-avyavaharayam-agrahyam- alakshanam-acintyam-avyapadesyam-ekatma-pratyayasaram, prapancopasarnam santam sivam-advaitam caturtham manyante sa tm sa vijneyah.'

The Fourth Aspect is Turiya: The fourth aspect of Atman or Self is Turiya, literally the fourth. In this fourth state, consciousness is neither turned outward nor inward. Nor is it both outward and inward; it is beyond both cognition and the absence of cognition. This fourth state of Turiya cannot be experienced through the senses or known by comparison, deductive reasoning or inference; it is indescribable, incomprehensible, and unthinkable with the mind. This is Pure Consciousness itself. This is the real Self. It is within the cessation of all phenomena. It is serene, tranquil, filled with bliss, and is one without second. This is the real or true Self that is to be realized.

Four Aspects of AUM (8-12):

8) 'So'yam-atma adhyaksharam-omkaro dhimatram pada matra matrasca pada akara ukaro makara iti.'

Those Four are the Same with "A-U-M" and Silence: That Om, though described as having four states, is indivisible; it is pure Consciousness itself. That Consciousness is Om. The three sounds A-U-M (ah, ou, mm) and the three letters A, U, M are identical with the three states of waking, dreaming, and sleeping, and these three states are identical with the three sounds and letters. The fourth state, Turiya is to be realized only in the silence behind or beyond the other three.

9) 'Jagarita-sthano vaisvanaro'karah prathama matra. apteradimatvad-vapnoti ha vai sarvan kamanadisca bhavati ya evam veda.'

The Sound "A" is Waking / Gross: Vaishvanara is the consciousness experienced during the waking state, and is A, the first letter of Om. That simple sound of A is first and permeates all other sounds. One who is aware of this first level of reality has fulfillment of all longings and is successful.

10) 'Svapna-stahnas taijasa ukaro dvitiya matrotkarshadu-ubhayatvad- votkarsati ha vai jnana-santatim samanasca bhavati nasyabrahmavit kule bhavati ya evam veda.'

The Sound "U" is Dreaming / Subtle: Taijasa is the consciousness experienced during the dreaming state, and is U, the second letter of Om. This intermediate state operates between the waking and sleeping states, reflecting some qualities of the other two. One who knows this subtler state is superior to others. For one who knows this, knowers of Brahman, the Absolute Reality, will be born into his family.

11) 'Sushupta-sthnah prajno makras tritiya mtr miterapiter va minoti ha va idam sarvam-apitisca bhavati ya evam veda.'

The Sound "M" is Deep Sleep / Causal: Prajna is the consciousness experienced during the state of dreamless, deep sleep, and is M, the third letter of Om. It contains the other two, and is that from which the other two emerge, and into they recede or merge. A knower of this more subtle state can understand all within himself.

12) 'Amatras-caturtho'vyavaharyah prapancopasamah sivo'dvaita evamomkara atmaiva samvisaty-atman-atmanam ya evam veda.'

Silence after "A-U-M" is the True Self: The fourth aspect is the soundless aspect of Om. It is not utterable and is not comprehended through the senses or by the mind. With the cessation of all phenomena, even of bliss, this soundless aspect becomes known. It is a state of nondual (advaita) reality—one without a second. This fourth state, Turiya, is the real Self or true Self. One with direct experience of this expands to Universal Consciousness.

Answer 2

Om is Brahman. When the universe was manifested from Brahman, it was the vibration from the sound OM that started creation. Om reverberates through the universe because Brahman exists everywhere. Scientists affirm that the first sound to some out of creation was OM. The Bible also says that in the beginning was the word and the word was God. Since that word was OM, Om is God.

Answer 3

After a four-square meal, the power is flowing out through the neck and mouth as 'Om'. O Budhus! it is the voice of the earth while rotating on its axis. Say "Pranav Mantra", not 'aum' or 'om'. Sit in a pyramid or such structure where the air flow (inlet/outlet) is only at base and at vertex and chant it repeatedly for a few minutes - one can not tolerate, can not bear, the power filled and brewed in his body and mind, that can blast the whole universe. (Statutory Warning - Consult with a scholar in Yoga before doing it).

Answer 4

Om is the original mantra symbolizing the ultimate Reality, which is prefixed to many mantric utterances thereby becoming a mental device, instrument oft thought” – an acoustic formula whose sound shape embodies the energy-level of a deity; a spell, incantation or charm employed in Tantric ritual or sorcery. Chants, magical formulae.

Answer 5

Aum (or as Westerners like to spell it: om) is a vital part of the science of yoga.
It’s a tool, a phenomenon, a mystery. To many people, aum is just a word chanted in meditation or as a closing prayer in yoga practice. However, translator and Bhagavad Gita scholar Barbara Stoler Miller notes that “according to the ancient Indian traditions preserved in the Upanishads, all speech and thought are derived from one sound aum. It expresses the ultimate reality.”

Aum is considered the all-connecting sound of the universe — one word interpreted as having three sounds representing creation, preservation, and destruction. Yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar devotes nearly two pages in his book, Light on Yoga, to the various meanings of aum. “The letter A symbolizes the conscious or waking state,” Iyengar says, “the letter U the dream state, and the letter M the dreamless sleep state of the mind and spirit.” The entire symbol, Iyengar says, stands for the “realization of man’s divinity within himself.”

Answer 6

Actually OM is everything. It is God it is Krishna. Om is the sound vibration at the time of creation. Om is All that Is. It is powerful. But It is said in the Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada that it takes thousands of lifetimes to realize the pure self by chanting Om alone. It was the recommended process for other ages but not this age.The recommended process for this age of Kali (quarrel and hypocrisy) is to chant the Maha Mantra (the great mantra for deliverance from all suffering and illusion. If Krishna the Supreme Lord Himself Says so then I accept. I don't like to wast time. I like the easiest quickest results.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Krishna (God ) has unlimited number of names, but the Name Krishna contains all the names and potency's in that Name. Hare is the feminine counterpart of God and Rama is the pleasure giving Potency of God. Everything is there. All pure mantras are in this mantra including OM. for more info on mantras and thees mantras write me for the link. Take the holy name and you life will be sublime.

Answer 7

Dear Anil.

I think (really believe) that you know what Om (AUM) is.


It is called ''Pranavan'' and it A+U+M = AUM and pronounced roughly as OM.
All the the three A.U .M are Bheejaaksharams.

If You Sit straight and take a deep breath nd slowly exhaling through mouth, the air taken in, pronounce AAAAAA.....You can see observe the abdomen portion of your body gong inside .
Again take a deeplong breath and this time while exhaling slowly through mouth pronounce loudly UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....You can observe your chest portion going in, or that part of lungs reacting.
If you do the same thing this time loudlu prounouncing MMMMMMM.......you can observe severe vibrations in your rear Brain(back of head).
So this AUM is to be prounounced in that order not as OM really.AAAAUUUMMMMMMMMMMMM,,,,,,,,,,
This is called Sabdha Praanaayaamam.You know it, I think.

This AUM(not OM) has the capacity to cleanse your total abdomenal portion.chest portion and Brain.

If you meditate constantly with this single sound AUM after 15 to 20 days you observe so many things in your body.Self healing results.The hither too blood less capillaries get blood flow.Body gets relaxed and energised.Mind calms down gradually .

If you continue without yielding to the smallbenefits that acrue in the course of time, you are bound to reach higher levels and see the astral things etc.A sadguru will explain the other intricate things of AUM.
It is more powerful than Atom Bomb.

This AUM alone can take you to the PEAK, under the guidance of a SADGURU.

Hope you agree with me.

Answer 8

The power of Om is eternity. It contains everything in the universe and is the holder of all serenity.

Answer 9

In the Christian New Testament it is written "In the beginning was the Word...." (John I:1). In the Buddhist concept Om is this Word.

May all be at peace.

John

Answer 10

Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol (as seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable.

Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.

According to the Mandukya Upanishad, "Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it".

The Power of Om
During meditation, when we chant Om, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until, at last, it ceases the sound. In the silence, the single thought—Om—is quenched; there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in the pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of Om.-