AMIT M PATEL

EN215
DR. KAMALA EDWARDS

REPORT FOR PRESENTATION

AUM-

INTRODUCTION: Aum (also Om, ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, first
coming to light in the Vedic Tradition. The symbol Om (also called Pranava), is the
most sacred symbol in Hinduism. Volumes have been written in Sanskrit illustrating
the significance of this mystic symbol. Although this symbol is mentioned in all the
Upanishads and in all Hindu scriptures, it is especially elaborated upon in the
Taittiriya, Chandogya and Mundaka Upanishads. It is so sacred that it is prefixed and
suffixed all Hindu mantra and incantations.
: :

DESCRIPTIONS FOR AUM:

The symbol of Om contains of three curves, one semicircle and a dot. The large lower
curve symbolizes the waking state; the upper curve denotes deep sleep (or the
unconscious) state, and the lower curve (which lies between deep sleep and the

waking state) signifies the dream state. These three states of an individuals
consciousness, and therefore the entire physical phenomenon, are represented by the
three curves. The dot signifies the Absolute (fourth or Turiya state of consciousness),
which illuminates the other three states. The semicircle symbolizes maya and
separates the dot from the other three curves. The semicircle is open on the top, which
means that the absolute is infinite and is not affected by maya. Maya only affects the
manifested phenomenon. In this way the form of Om symbolizes the infinite
Brahman and the entire Universe.
OTHER DESCRIPTIONS:
Examples of Three into One:

Creation (Brahma)- Preservation (Vishnu)- Destruction (Shiva) into Brahman

Waking- Dreaming- Dreamless Sleep into Turiya (transcendental fourth state of

consciousness)

Rajas (activity, heat, fire)- Tamas (dullness, ignorance, darkness)- Sattva (purity,
light, serenity/shanti) into Brahman

Body, Speech and Mind into Oneness

AUM- WHEN YOU PRONOUNCE AUM:

A - Emerges from the throat, originating in the region of the navel
U - Rolls over the tongue
M - Ends on the lips

A - Waking,
U - Dreaming,

M - Sleeping
OTHER SIMILAR TYPES OF SYLLABLES
Gods and Goddesses in Hindu mythology are sometimes referred to as Aumkar,
which means Form of Aum, thus implying that who are limitless, the vibrational
whole of the cosmos. Ek Onkar (also , , Ik akr, Ek Omkar, Ik
Omkar and other variants) means one God and is a central symbol of the unity of
God in Sikhism, and is commonly found on Gurdwaras. Ek means "one" (Sanskrit
eka). Onkar came from Sanskrit Omkra, which means "he or it which makes Om",
and thus could mean:- Handwriter's and printer's term for the Om symbol. This
character often appeared as "" in Buddhist scripts in East Asia.