The Meaning of Om (Pranava)

Om (also written as AUM) is the primal sound of creation, known as Pranava - "the cosmic sound." It is composed of three syllables: A (creation), U (preservation), and M (dissolution), representing the three states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, deep sleep) and the trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva).

The Mandukya Upanishad is entirely devoted to explaining Om. It describes the fourth state - Turiya - which transcends the three syllables and represents pure consciousness, the ultimate reality (Brahman). The silence that follows the chanting of Om is considered as sacred as the sound itself.

Om appears at the beginning of most Hindu mantras, scriptures, and prayers. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali state that chanting Om with contemplation of its meaning removes all obstacles and turns the mind inward. It is both a symbol and a sound - the audible representation of the inexpressible divine.