The symbol of Om is placed at the very beginning of most Hindu texts. In fact, many Hindus make a habit of writing down this syllable in every new page of a text or diary they maintain. This sacred mantra is also chanted at the time of performing religious rites and rituals and is used to invoke the Gods to grace the event and partake of the offering. Devout Hindus start their everyday worship with the chant of this sacred mantra. Others prefer to write this at the head of all their letters and other written material – even sometimes in their examination papers. While most Hindus place the symbol in their personal prayer rooms, many also wear the sign as pendants.

Omkaaram Bindu Samyuktam
Nityam Dhyaayanti Yogina:|
Kaamadam Mokshadam Chaiva
Omkaaraaya Namo Nama:||

The above verse is a part of the Shiva Shadakshara Stotram, the meaning of which is as follows:

“Salutations to the One who is United with the Omkara, the Source of All; the One on whom Yogis constantly meditate; and the One who grants Liberation from all desires. Salutations to that Shiva who is the Embodiment of the Omkaara, the very first syllable of the Shadakshara (six-lettered) Mantra, “Om-Na-Ma-Shi-Vaa-Ya”.

The Omkaara or the Aumkaara, which is the syllable of Om, is also referred to in Sanskrit as the Pranava mantra, or that which is literally “sounded out loudly”.

The Sanskrit word “Pranava” comes from the root, “nu”, which implies, “to shout” or “to sound”. “Pra-nu” is a verb, which means, “to make a droning or humming sound”. This is regarded as being the most powerful ekaakshara mantra, consisting of only one syllable.

The Taittiriya, Chandogya and Mandukya Upanishads talk about Om being the highest ever spiritual entity, attributed to the creation of the entire world. The “A-kara” here implies the existence of things with concrete form and shape, such as trees, earth and so on. “U-kara” signifies anything formless, such as ari, water, fire and so on. “M-kara”, on the other hands, implies things which neither have shape nor are shapeless and yet pervade the universe, such as cosmic energy. The combination of the three syllables forms the complete picture, the AUM, thus containing the whole universe within itself.

The sacred sound of Om encompasses the entire life of a Hindu, right from the minute he takes birth, to his last journey and rituals associated with that as well. That is again why it is referred to as the Pranava mantra; the one which encompasses Hindus’ every prana or life breath.

During meditation, chanting of Om and concentrating on its drone helps the mind relax faster and focus better as well. The mind then stops being restless and comes within the seeker’s control, thereby enabling him to travel deep within himself and discover his own divine nature. This simple, yet profound, symbol signifies both the nirguna (unmanifest) and saguna (manifest) nature of the Supreme Brahman.

The Mandukya Upanishad, the shortest of the Upanishads (scriptures of the Hindu Vedanta), comprises just 12 verses and expounds the mystic quality of the Aum. It describes this sacred syllable as the symbol of three psychological stages of wakefulness, dreaming and sleeping, also explaining the fourth state of transcending all these three stages, proceeding towards illumination.

According to this Upanishad, there are 3 matras or syllables in the word “Aum”. Here, “A” represents the first state of wakefulness, wherein our five senses, along with our minds, remains completely active and sharply aware. The “U” symbolizes the dream state, which gives rise to deep inward experiences, thereby tapping the power of the largely dormant subconscious mind. The “M” represents the last state, the state of deep sleep, where desire no more exists and it is pure consciousness all around.

The Upanishad states that there is a fourth state which transcends all of the above-mentioned states. In this state, the consciousness is neither turned inward nor outward. It is neither knowing nor unknowing; neither visible nor invisible; and neither tangible nor intangible. It is nirguna or devoid of characteristics; is indefinable, indescribable and unintelligible. It is the pure essence of the consciousness of the Self or the Atman and represents the state where all relative existence comes to a standstill. This fourth and ultimate state is utterly serene, peaceful and blissful and grants the seeker complete enlightenment.

This Upanishad also considers “Om” as the eternal syllable which encompasses within itself, the past, the present and the future. Yet, it is also the entity that is detached from the above and is beyond time and space.

Further, the Mandukya Upanishad also describes Aum as the combination of three phonemes – “A” (Vaishvanara), “U” (Hiranyagarbha) and “M” (Ishwara) – which together represents the beginning, continuation and dissolution of the Universe, also respectively represented by the Hindu Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

According to Arya Samaj tradition, the Omkaara is considered as the name of God and could be translated as “I am Existence”.

In the Puranas too, the syllable “Aum” represents the Divine Trinity, also symbolizing the Rigveda, Samaveda and Yajurveda respectively. The letter “A” represents Brahma’s golden nucleus, which gave rise to the entire creation. The letter “U” signifies the power of Vishnu, who balances and preserves the world, by balancing a lotus springing forth from his navel, having Brahma sitting on it. The letter “M” represents the final part of this cycle of creation, that is, dissolution. When Brahma falls asleep, Shiva comes into the scene, so as to disintegrate all living beings and absorb them unto himself.

The Puranas further state that Aum is the original sound and that all the other sounds, languages and mantras of the world have come forth from it.