Aum is not from any language... not even from sanskrit..
Aum is the vibrational sound of the cosmic machine of creation and destruction
Aum is the name of God in its unmanifested form
Aum comprises of all the manifested and unmanifested worlds.
Aum means nothing... and it also means everything
OK some more on Aum
Aum is the most mysterious word in the Universe.: AUM is thought to be the Eternal Sound. IT IS THE SOUND of GOD THAT GIVES CONSCIOUSNESS TO THE MOTHER NATURE TO START ACTING.
Aum has three sounds A...U....M. " A " signifies the beginning of the universe. U signifies the life period of universe and M signifies the destruction of the Universe. Hence Om is the only word which notifies the three main work of God that is creation, operation and destruction of srishti (Universe). This represents the three first forms of God viz. are Brahmaa (creator), Vishnu (operator) and the destructor (The Shiva).
Most of the mantra in Hinduism start with the word AUM, because AUM is the consciousness and the other words in a mantra are Nature or Prakriti. AUM in itself is a complete Mantra and its chanting is sacred and brings enlightenment. It is truely called MAHA MANTRA.
It does not belong to any language...it is primodal vibration of the consciousness which created the universe
AUM has four steps A...U....M and the last one silent
A = Physical plane , wake-state of mind, Beginning,Brahmaa,
U = Astral Plane, dream state of mind, Manifestation,Vishnu,
M = Causal Plane, dream-less state , Destruction,Rudra,
Fourth unspoken sound = Turiya, beyond universe, Enlightened state
AUM is a great mantra. It is a Sagun Mantra, Nirgun Mantra and Beeja Mantra alll in One
Recitation of Aum brings peace and happiness, and finally Enlightenment
The OM Mantra also called Pranava mantra is a widely recognized mantra. While the OM Mantra has a variety of meanings, one of its most significant uses is for Meditation and Contemplation in Yoga and Vedanta. The OM Mantra is recommended in the Yoga Sutras and the Mandukya Upanishad, as well as in many other teachings.
The OM Mantra is a roadmap for sadhana, spiritual practices (written as either AUM or OM). It is not for the person who seeks only the shallow waters of spiritual life, but rather for those who strive to realize in direct experience the depth of the Absolute Reality. There are four main levels of consciousness outlined in the OM Mantra, along with three transition levels, which is a total of seven levels.
The significance of OM: It is believed in Indian philosophy that the primordial Sanskrit sound, OM caused the beginning of creation. It is from the words that all other words originate. This is why the sound, OM has a mystical power, and is called “the sound of all sounds.” This sound was discovered by the rishis in very ancient times, around 2000 years ago. Om is also sometimes called “Omkara” and can be chanted at the start of a ceremony to make it an auspicious occasion.
the significance of OM in the Upanishads?
In the Mandukya Upanishad, we find, “AUM stands for the Supreme Reality. It is a symbol for what was, what is, and what shall be. AUM represents also what lies beyond past, present and future.” So we learn that it is all encompassing. In fact, “Om” also represents Brahman, which is equated with the Self as we learn “Brahman is all, and the Self is Brahman. This Self has four states of consciousness.” In the same Upanishad, we find an explanation of these four states, as the four components of “om”. The first sound is “a”, and is called “Vaishvanara” (where one is focused on the external), and the second is “u”, is called “Taijasa”, (the dreaming state where one is focused internal). The third is “m”, called “Prajna”, (the all-knowing state of deep sleep, “in which one neither dreams nor desires”) and the fourth is called “Turiya”, (the superconscious state which is “neither inward nor outward”). This final state also represents the first three syllables, “A, U, and M”. “Om” is found in several places in the Upanishads. For example, in the Amritabindu Upanishad, it reads, “keep repeating the ancient mantra Om until it reverberates in your heart.”
(The Upanishads, by Eknath Easwaran, Mandukya Upanishad p.60, v. 1-8; Amritabindu Upanishad p. 243 v. 7)
The mantra that is held very sacred by all Hindus is the mantra Om also called pranava mantra. This mantra is part of every worship. This mantra is hailed in scriptures of various languages. vedas - the holy scripture - is chanted always after chanting this mantra and always concluded with this mantra. Each of the hailing in the archana that is performed for the divine is preceded by this mantra Om.
Pranava is the primal sound that existed before the creation and the sound that stays after the pralaya. This is the natharupa - the Form of sound, of the Supreme Luminance. This mantra om refer to none other than God. The great yogis meditate in this mantra as the path to Eternal Bliss. The pranava has five parts. They are akara, ukara, makara, bindhu, natham. (aum). Consequently this is also one of the glorious panchakshara mantra. The scriptures that explain the glory of this pranava mantra are quite many. However the significant one is from the skandha purana. It is a well known puranic event that skandha described the real meaning of the pranava mantra to God shiva. In the above mentioned episode of skandha purana the sage vamadeva seeks the boon from God skandha to tell him too that description. Shri skandha who was pleased with the devotion of sage vamadeva told him that great secret.
Vivekananda says,” Ishvara (God) is the Atman as seen or grasped by the mind. His highest name is AUM --- Repeating AUM continually is the only true worship. It is not a word – It is god Himself. “(Vedanta Voice of Freedom p. 266). Aum is a pranava, a mantra and Aum is a God.
