Definition of OM

OM:

This sacred syllable, sometimes written AUM, is the original mantra. The Sanskrit letter represents the journey of the human spirit toward eternal peace.

OM is the sound of creation. It emanates from the mouth of Lord Brahma at the beginning of each creative cycle called a kalpa. This sound forms the substratum of all of creation, both gross and subtle. Gross meaning embodied creatures and subtle meaning the mind. Though it is pronounced OM, it is made up of three different syllables. A, U, and M are the three sounds of the mantra OM.

"A" manifests as the creative principle of God. This syllable resonates in the abdominal area of the psyche. It has its physical counter part in the body. In the human body the abdominal area is the spot of conception and incubation and ultimately the birth of a new life. Thus the syllable "A" manifests as creation from the earth sphere to the apex of Mount Meru. This process of creation is presided over by Lord Brahma, the subtlest of material nature. Next, the syllable "U" is responsible for the process of sustenance. This sound is born out of the chest region of the astral body. Things are maintained by keeping them pure and ever fresh. This quality of purity and freshness is called sattwa in Sanskrit. MahaVishnu presides over this quality and is directly responsible for the liberation of the soul from matter. Located in the physical body of a human is the heart, the muscle necessary to Maritain life.

Thus "U" represents the process of preservation. To preserve things one needs wealth. Wealth is 2 kinds: material and spiritual. Thus, MahaVishnu is "wedded" to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, both material and spiritual. The sound of "U" also represents that part of creation from the tip of mount Meru to the Pole star called Dhruva or the North Star in the bible. This encompasses the dwelling places of different types of astral entities.

Lastly, "M" stands for the destructive power of God embodied in Lord Siva. This sound manifests in the closing of the mouth. Also when we have closed our mouths we have finished or destroyed something, either our words or our food etc. Destruction in the Hindu mind is not viewed as a negative activity, but the necessary function to help prepare one's consciousness for the descent of divine knowledge that takes the shape of Love of God. Siva presiding over this action of destruction is the embodiment of auspiciousness. Meaning it is His presence that allows the incubation of liberation to be possible. This sound represents creation from the pole star to Brahma Loka or the sphere of Lord Brahma.

Namah means prostrations. This is a bastard form of the original word used to say prostrations. It was previously the word namama, which literally means not (na) mine (mama). So the secret to prostration is in the renouncing the sense of egoism that is born from the notion of "I" and "mine" or ownership.

Narayana is the Name for Mahavishnu who lives within the waters of the causal ocean. He is the in dweller that lends divinity to the human soul. His presence dwelling in our bossom is what make us divine. This is the real meaning of the biblical statement that Man was created in the image of God. We share in His divine heritage. Narayana means one who dwells in the water. Water is ones consciousness. Not the consciousness that keeps our eyes open but the state that is beyond all three states of existence, waking, dreamimg and deep sleep. He maintains equilibrium in the physche of the devotee by keeping all his thoughts, words and deed harmonized, thus making them in accordance with dharma or righteousness