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The Power of OM

      This ancient Sanskrit syllable, known as OM or AUM, is not specific to any one country or civilization indicative of its being an universally perceptible sound for the human race. The OM is not given any specific definition and is considered to be a cosmic sound, a primordial sound, and the totality of all sounds.
      OM first appears in the Upanishads as a mystic monosyllable and is regarded as the seed of basis of all mantras. In the Mandukya Upanishad, OM is said to be the imperishable root syllable of origination and dissolution. The past, present and future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in OM. In fact this entire Upanishad deals with the understanding and symbolism of OM.
      According to the Chandogya Upanishad, Prajapati created the first three Vedas, from which arose the three letters of 'AUM'. This word is therefore a representation of the Supreme Being. Like the word OM, the Supreme Being is also indivisible.
      This mystic symbol is also the most powerful mantra. It is composed of five elements: the syllables A,U,M, the dot or bindu (signifying the anusvara= nasal m sometimes said to symbolize Sadasiva) and sound or nada (here in the sense of a kind of echo, sometimes said to symbolize Isvara), and is revered as the representative of the gods. All aspects of speech are believed to have come forth from this word. In Sanskrit 'O' is contitutionally a diphthong, contracted from 'A' and 'U' which when pronounced quickly have the sound of 'O', and when combined with 'M' gives to the whole a resonant, humming sound. 'A' is the root sound produced without touching any part of the tongue or palate, 'M' represents the last sound in the series, being pronounced by closed lips. Between these two sounds exist all others.
      Much symbolism is associated with the three letters AUM, which inter aliarepresent the three gunas and the three great gods of the Trimurti. 'A' represents Brahma, 'U' Visnu, and 'M' Siva. Hence it also represents creation, preservation, and destruction. It is also typically representative of the three Vedas, also the three gods A (Agni), V (Varuna), and M (Maruts) or Fire, Water and Air. In esoteric philosophy these are the three sacred fires, or "the triple fire" in the Universe and Man, besides many other things. The A and U together mean 'truth' and 'immortality'. AUM also stands for the One Being pervading space, time, and all forms. It is uttered at the beginning of all rituals; its purpose is to enable the worshipper to attain liberation.
      The Vaishnavas and the Shaivas however describe it according to their own theological notions. The sound form of OM is identified as Vishnu by the Vaishnavas and as Shiva by Shaivas. Its connection with the beginning of all rituals associates it with Ganesa who is worshipped before any new undertaking.
      OM is said to be the first sound to have come form the creator's mouth. Its sound is said to be the foundation of all sounds. It represents the whole phenomenon of sound producing and denotes all the possibilities of all the sounds that can be produced.
      The RoyalPatel OM is the OM symbol crowned. Throughout world history, the crown has represented an ornament of leadership and distinction; it also signifies honor, dignity, and grace. The OM symbol has multiple implications, all of which are fluidic and spacial. The consortium of these two symbols to form the RoyalPatel OM emblem is a declaration of unification and totality: "all is one."

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