Praṇava
Pranava is a Sanskrit word that literally means "that which is sounded out loudly", and is used to refer to the mystical sound Om (ओ, "aum") of Hindu origin, regarded as sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. This syllable is also referred to as omkara (ओंकार oṃkāra) or aumkara (औंकार auṃkāra), literally "om syllable".
General description
The power of mantras such as the OM is based on the fact that its chanting awakens the forces present in Ākāśa:
Students in the West have little or no idea of the forces that lie latent in Sound, the Âkâsic vibrations that may be set up by those who understand how to pronounce certain words. The Om, or the “Om mani padme hûm” are in spiritual affinity with cosmic forces, but without a knowledge of the natural arrangement, or of the order in which the syllables stand, very little can be achieved. . . Now, letters, as vocal sounds, cannot fail to correspond with musical notes, and therefore with numbers and colors; hence also with Forces and Tattvas. He who remembers that the universe is built up from the Tattvas, will readily understand something of the power that may be exercised by vocal sounds.[1]
According to Mme. Blavatsky the potency of a mantra lies "in the rhythm or the accent".[2] There are different ways to pronounce the Aum:
“Om” is, of course, Aum, that may be pronounced as two, three or seven syllables, setting up different vibrations.[3]
Meaning of the Aum
Mme. Blavatsky said that the Aum corresponds to the "upper triangle".[4] More specifically,Buddhi is the second letter and the Higher Ego the third.[5]
Effects of its chanting
The word Aum or Ôm, which corresponds to the upper triangle, if pronounced by a very holy and pure man, will draw out or awaken, not only the less exalted potencies residing in the planetary spaces and elements, but even his Higher Self, or the “Father” within him. Pronounced by an averagely good man, in the correct way, it will strengthen him morally, especially if between two “šums” he meditates intently on the Aum within him, concentrating all his attention upon the ineffable glory. But woe to the man who pronounces it after the commission of some far-reaching sin: he will thereby only attract to his own impure photosphere invisible presences and forces which could not otherwise break through the divine envelope.[6]
Online resources
Articles
- Aum! by William Q. Judge
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 516.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 638.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 516.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 534.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 639.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 534.