ॐ - Om - ओ३म् - ओंकार: Its Meaning & Usefulness

ॐ – Om – ओ३म् – ओंकार is a sacred Hindu mantra and a mystical sound. It is also called Praṇava as it pervades all life and runs through our prana or breath.

As per the Mandukya Upanishad,

"ॐ – Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it".

ॐ is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. Recitation of ॐ give energy to body & Mind. ॐ – Om is a very holy & auspicious word. In literal sense:

"ॐ – Om" is the Sound symbol that represents God. If you want to express God in the form of sound, you should utter this mystical sound "Om". In Bhagwat Gita Lord Sri Krishna says that:

"maharsinam bhrgur aham
giram asmy ekam aksharam
yajnanam japa-yajno ’smi
sthavaranam himalayah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 25)

"Sri Krishna said: Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; Of Vibrations / Sounds, I am the transcendental Om. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things I am the Himalayas."

pitaham asya jagato
mata dhata pitamahah
vedyam pavitram omkara
rk sama yajur eva cha (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 17)

"Sri Krishna said: I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable Om. I am also the Rig, the Sama and the Yajur Vedas."

Before the creation God was one without a second. Then He wanted to become many. At such a thought of God, a vibration came into existence which took the form of sound Om. This vibrational sound Om became the basis of all creation. This primeval sound Om is nothing but another form of God which is recited in religious practices.

When you repeatedly chant this sound Om it gives peace of mind & gives energy to the body. Chanting it elevates the depressed mood of a person. Meditating on it while chanting it lifts our consciousness to the Godly state where peace & happiness comes to our body, mind & soul.

As per "Paramhansa Yogananda":

The outward manifestation of the omnipresent Christ Consciousness (Tat aspect of God), "It's Witness", is Om, the Word or Holy Ghost. This Om is the invisible divine power, the only doer, the sole causative & activating force that upholds all creation through vibration. Om, the Word is the creative vibration that externalizes all creation.

Jai Sri Krishna

How to overcome Maya & see God?

Maya is something which separates us from the divine power called GOD. GOD created Maya so that everyone in the world gets busy in the materialistic world. Maya of God is very powerful & God has covered our minds with the power of Maya. Maya keeps ourselves involved in this world & hence away from the God. In general, individual’s money, relationships, desire, selfishness etc. are characteristics of Maya. Individual’s true nature is divine, but through Maya, or ignorance, that divinity in us is covered.

Maya creates ignorance of God. For the people whose mind is involved in this world, it is not possible to see God or know His ways. Everyone in this world is under the spell of this world bewitching Maya. This Maya is like a cloud. The sun cannot be seen on account of this screen of the cloud. When the clouds disappear, one sees the sun. If by the grace of God one's ego vanishes, then one sees God. Man’s true nature is divine, but through some power, known as Maya, or ignorance, that divinity in us is covered.

In Bhagwat Gita, Lord Sri Krishna says; “It is very hard to break this veil of Maya, Made of Tri-Gunas. But he who takes refuge in Me only passes Through this Maya.” To take refuge in God, to surrender ourselves completely to him, is the way to go beyond Maya. Sri Krishna also says “ If a man worships Me with unfaltering love, he will go beyond this Maya.”

"daivi hy esa guna-mayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 14)

"Sri Krishna said: This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature (Maya), is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross over it."

Sri Ramakrishna, saint of Bengal, illustrates about the true nature of God. Through this we can understand how God is present near us while He is hiding through Maya from us & how we are not able to see Him.

"Hide and Seek" game has many versions & people of different countries play it in many different ways. In one form which is played in some countries, the one who hides is called "Granny" & all others are seeker of her. This "Granny" blindfolds the eyes of other persons and then hides herself. These blindfolded persons are to seek that hidden "Granny" one by one. Whosoever can find and touch the "Granny" has the blindfold removed from his/her eyes and is "free". So the game goes like that. In the philosophical sense same is the case with us. God is similarly nearby us (like Granny) & has covered our eyes with ignorance and hidden Himself here. If you are able to find Him, touch Him, then you are freed of Maya (the blindfold, the illusion, the duality).

Actually "Maya" is the energy of God which creates illusion about God & blindfolds our inner eyes (our knowledge) of God. When we are under the influence of "Maya" energy then we are not able to see God or know our true Soul nature. Here below are verses from "Bhagwat Gita" which describe about the nature of this "Maya", how this illusive energy of God deludes the human beings & puts a veil of ignorance on human mind. This veil of ignorance just disappears from the human mind once he/she starts having faith in God & have devotion in that Almighty. God himself in below verses is declaring that one who is engaged in pure devotional service goes beyond this illusion of "Maya" easily & attains to the God in no time.

"dhumenavriyate vahnir
yathadarso malena cha
yatholbenavrto garbhas
tatha tenedam avrtam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Three verse 38)

"Sri Krishna said: As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, so is the living entity (Individual Soul) is covered by different degrees of this Ignorance."

Below are verses of Bhagwat Gita which explain, how one can be free of the influence of "Maya" by having devotion towards the God:

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Sri Krishna says to Arjuna: Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions (shall be freed of Maya). Do not fear."

So let's devote our heart, mind & Soul to God as by doing so we shall be free of the power & influence of the illusory nature of Maya. Once we are able to find God, touch Him with our heart then we shall be a Free Soul & shall be eligible to live in His Divine Abode ultimately. So let's through devotion of God be the ultimate winner in "Hide and Seek" game (Maya) of the God.

Jai Sri Krishna

Read also............................God Assures you that He shall protect you
Read also............................Lord, Fill the Cup of my life

Doing Bad Karmas Lead to Lower Births

As per the Hindu Philosophy, any "Karma" done by a person, remains with that person, unless he/she has enjoyed the consequential Fruit arisen out of doing that Karma. For a good act done by him, he shall bear good result & enjoy it. Similarly for a bad act done by him, he shall bear bad result & shall have to bear punishment for it. So ,whatever, action/karma we perform with our body, mind or even speech, it should not do harm to others but should be of some use only to others. By doing good Karmas only we shall get good life in future births & shall finally meet the God.

In Hindu scriptures Karma is related to the origin of one's own body. Karmas of earlier birth become the basis of this birth & Karmas of this birth become the basis of your next birth & so on. At death, soul of a person takes the stock of all Karmas (having its reservoir in that person's mind) & Divinity or God as per the divine law takes a handful of those Karmas & a new body is made with the seeds of these Karmas. So if a person has done good Karmas he/she gets a good godly body in heavens & if he/she has done bad karmas in this life then that person's soul goes to lower wombs of birds & animals. So it is generally said that we should do good Karmas only.

Below are few verses of Bhagwat Gita which explain about how a soul travels from one body to the other & where it goes as per the Karmic law:

"yada sattve pravrddhe tu
pralayam yati deha-bhrt
tadottama-vidam lokan
amalan pratipadyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 14)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, When one dies in the mode of goodness, he attains to the pure higher planets of the great sages."

"rajasi pralayam gatva
karma-sangisu jayate
tatha pralinas tamasi
mudha-yonisu jayate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 15)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruit producing activities; and when one dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom."

"urdhvam gacchanti sattva-stha
madhye tisthanti rajasah
jaghanya-guna-vrtti-stha
adho gacchanti tamasah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 18)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Those situated in the mode of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable mode of ignorance go down to the Lower hell worlds."

In above verses Lord Krishna explains the result of “Rajo Gun” or mode of passion being predominant at the time of death is that the jiva or embodied being is born into families that are are involved in vigorous activity. Likewise the result of “Tamo Gun” or mode of ignorance being predominant at the moment of death then the jiva is born in the wombs of irrational species as animals.

Lord Krishna describes that when a jiva or embodied being dies while in “Rajo Gun” or the mode of passion, one takes birth among those who perform activities out of desire for rewards and having been born as such will endeavour mightily to accomplish works that would be rewarded by immense wealth and power even up unto the heavenly spheres. Similarly if one dies while under the influence of “Tamo Gun”or the mode of ignorance then such jivas will be born from the wombs of animals such as pigs and dogs where one would be completely incapacitated to perform any activity that would give any spiritual benefit.

Lord Krishna states that if death comes upon a jiva or embodied being while predisposed to “Rajo Gun” or the mode of passion then one takes birth next from those who are obsessed to perform actions in anticipation of rewards. Also a jiva dying while under the influence of “Tamo Gun” or mode of ignorance is forced to take birth as an animal in the next life.

So we should do Good Karmas only as result of doing good karmas is good only. Those people who do Bad Karmas, do harm to other people & do sinful activities, such people shall have bad consequences as they are in the “Tamo Gun” state at the time of their death. Such “Tamo Guni” people shall take birth in the animal species as a dog, or pig or other animals, or in the birds species or even in lower species as an insect or worm. So Lets do only Good Karmas only in our life.

Jai Sri Krishna

When Lord gave Moksha to Gajendra

Lord not only protects his devotees but also gives, Moksha or Eternal Life in His abode to His Devotees. Now it does not matter whether devotee is a human being, a divine being, an animal or bird also. God protects every creature of this universe if that being asks for Lord’s help. Here below is a story from Srimad Bhagvatam in which an Elephant was saved by the Lord when a crocodile attaked him when he went to have water in the river.

“Once there was an elephant named Gajendra who used to live in a garden called Rtumata which was created by Varuna. This garden was situated in the beautiful mountains of Trikuta in ancient India. Gajendra ruled over all the other elephants in the herd. On a hot day, he proceeded with his herd to a lake to cool off in its fresh waters. Suddenly a crocodile living in the lake attacked Gajendra and caught him by the leg. Gajendra tried for a long time to escape from the crocodile's clutches. All his family, relatives and friends gathered around to help him, but in vain. The crocodile wouldn't simply let go. When they realised that ‘death’ has come close to Gajendra, they left him alone. He trumpeted in pain and helplessness until he was hoarse. As the struggle was seemingly endless and when the last drop of energy was also sapped, Gajendra called to Lord Vishnu to save him, holding a lotus up in the air as an offering. 

Hearing his devotee's call and a prayer, Lord Vishnu rushed to the scene. As Gajendra sighted the Lord coming, he lifted a lotus with his trunk, seeing this lord was pleased and with his Sudharshana Chakra separated the crocodile's head from its body and Gajendra prostrated before the Lord. Vishnu informed Gajendra that he, in one of his previous births, was the celebrated King Indradyumna, a Lord Vishnu devotee, but due to his disrespect to the great Sage Agastya, he was cursed and had to undergo this life.

Because Indradyumna was a chosen one, Lord Vishnu had him born as Gajendra and made him realize that there is something called, "Moksha / Kaivalya" which is beyond Svarga and Urdhva Loka. Indradyumna could attain Moksha finally when he (as Gajendra) left all his pride and doubt and totally surrendered himself to Lord Vishnu.

The prayer made by Gajendra on this occasion became a famous hymn in praise of Lord Vishnu called the Gajendra Stuti.

शुक्लांबरधरं विष्णुं शशि वर्णं चतुर्भुजं ।

प्रसन्न वदनं ध्यायेत सर्व विघ्नोपशान्तये॥

So the story even though it is known as 'Gajendra Moksha', actually the moksha was given to the crocodile also. And crocodile got the 'rare privilege'(same as in the case of Ravana, Kamsa,etc.) of getting killed by the hands of Lord Vishnu and was given moksha before the Gajendra."

In Bhagwat Gita, God assures his disciple Arjuna in many ways & asks him to take refuge in Him. Lord says that He shall emancipate him of sin in all ways, shall rescue him in his life always. Through Arjuna, God is giving a message to all people that they should be devoted to Him, as through devotion, they shall reach Him easily. Below are verses of Bhagwat Gita where God assures Arjuna through these verses. Firstly, it is written, as it is written in original Sanskrit in Bhagwat Gita & below that is English translation of that verse.

'Api chet su-duracharo
bhajate maam ananya-bhak
sadhurev sa mantavya
samyag vyvasito hi sah' ( Gita: Chapter IX verse 30 )

'Even if the vilest sinner worships Me with full devotion, he should be considered a noble soul or saint; as he has taken the right step by worshipping me.'

Through above verse 30, God is telling Arjuna that even if the most sinful of person worships Him with full devotion, then He considers him to be a saint only as he has rightly resolved in his life. So many times we too think that we have done many sins in life & how God shall accept us, but here God makes very clear that once a person become devoted to Him, He does not considers that person a sinner, rather God considers that person to be a Saint as he has taken the right decision in his life to become devoted to God. Let's all be devotees of God.

'kshipram bhavti dharmatma
shasvac-chantim nigachati

kauntey pratijanihi
na me bhaktah pranashyati' ( Gita: Chapter IX verse 31 )

'He speedily becomes virtuous and secures lasting peace. O son of Kunti, know it for certain that My devotee never falls.'

Through above verse 31, God is telling Arjuna that such a sinful person after becoming His devotee becomes a person of good virtues and always remain in peace & such a peace is not temporary but is ever lasting. God is assuring the son of Kunti ( another name of Arjuna, his disciple) that his devotee never falls again in life as He always protect him. So let's all worship the God always so that He can protect us always.

'man-mna bhav mad-bhakto
madhyaji maam namaskuru
maam-evaishyasi yuktvaivam
atmanam mat-parayanah' ( Gita: Chapter IX verse 34 )

'Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to me, worship Me & offer obeisance's to Me. In this way, linking to Me, you shall surely come to Me.'

Through above verse 34, God is asking Arjuna to fix his mind on God as after worshipping Him & paying obeisance's to God, he shall automatically come to Him. We should also follow the same path & let's become devoted to him by praying Him daily. God is very clear that once a person comes in God's refuge, then all his problems are solved & God becomes his protector in this life & life beyond.

Jai Sri Krishna