The syllable Om (also written AUM) is the most sacred mantra in Hindu dharma, regarded as the primordial sound from which the entire universe emanates. Its textual origin is found in the earliest Vedic literature; the Rigveda (1.164.46) declares, "They call it Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni... the One Being the wise call by many names," and the Mandukya Upanishad (verses 1-12) is entirely devoted to expounding Om as the essence of all existence and the four states of consciousness (waking, dream, deep sleep, and turiya). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (1.27-28) state that the word expressing Ishvara is Om, and that its repetition and contemplation lead to realization of the Self. Phonetically, Om is composed of three phonemes: A (अ), U (उ), and M (म), representing the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, heaven), the three major Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), and the three states of consciousness.
The silence that follows the chant is the fourth element, turiya, the transcendent state. As a beej-akshara (seed syllable), Om is considered the source of all other mantras. The Devi Mahatmya (also known as Durga Saptashati) includes Om in its verses as the seed of the goddess. In the Shaktisangama Tantra, Om is described as the supreme mantra of the Mahavidyas, embodying both the unmanifest and manifest aspects of the divine. The traditional purpose of chanting Om is to align the practitioner with the cosmic vibration, promoting mental clarity, spiritual awakening, and union with Brahman (ultimate reality).
It is chanted for peace, harmony, and the dissolution of ego. Recommended chanting context: ideally at dawn or dusk, in a quiet space, with a count of 108 repetitions (using a mala) or any multiple thereof. The mantra can be chanted aloud, whispered, or mentally. There are no strict cautions, as Om is universal and safe for all, but tradition holds that it should be chanted with reverence and proper pronunciation (A-U-M) to maximize its effect. Om is not limited to any sect; it is the foundational mantra of all Hindu traditions and is also respected in Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
Its iconography is the written symbol ॐ, often depicted with a crescent and dot representing the transcendent silence.
The primordial sound, symbolizing the ultimate reality.
Om is the primordial seed-syllable (bīja) from which all other mantras arise. It consists of three phonemes: A (अ), U (उ), and M (म), representing creation, preservation, and dissolution, and the silence after is the fourth state (turiya).