blastfromthepast
26th March 2006, 03:22 PM
ॐ ૐ औं ༀ唵
http://www.santosha.com/images/library/aum.jpg
Aum (also Om, ॐ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, symbolizing the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the "Udgitha" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra); not only because it is considered to be the primal sound, but also because most mantras begin with it. It first came to light in the Vedic Tradition. As a seed syllable (bija), it is also considered holy in Esoteric Buddhism. In Devanagari it is written ॐ (Unicode U+0950) and in Tibetan script ༀ (Unicode U+0F00). This character often appeared as 「唵」 in Buddhist scripts in East Asia. In Buddhism this syllable is almost never transliterated as Aum, but instead as Om.
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.
The goal, which all Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which humans desire when they live a life of continence, I will tell you briefly it is Om. The syllable Om is indeed Brahman. This syllable Om is the highest. Whosoever knows this symbol obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahman.
-Katha Upanishad I, ii, 15-17
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ॐ
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/唵
http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ом_%28индуизм%29
http://www.santosha.com/images/library/aum.jpg
Aum (also Om, ॐ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, symbolizing the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the "Udgitha" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra); not only because it is considered to be the primal sound, but also because most mantras begin with it. It first came to light in the Vedic Tradition. As a seed syllable (bija), it is also considered holy in Esoteric Buddhism. In Devanagari it is written ॐ (Unicode U+0950) and in Tibetan script ༀ (Unicode U+0F00). This character often appeared as 「唵」 in Buddhist scripts in East Asia. In Buddhism this syllable is almost never transliterated as Aum, but instead as Om.
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.
The goal, which all Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which humans desire when they live a life of continence, I will tell you briefly it is Om. The syllable Om is indeed Brahman. This syllable Om is the highest. Whosoever knows this symbol obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahman.
-Katha Upanishad I, ii, 15-17
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ॐ
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/唵
http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ом_%28индуизм%29