The Mystique of Om [MLBD]

The Mystique of Om

This book is about Om or Aum which is the most sacred mantra in Hinduism and which is also revered by Buddhists. It discusses the status of this monosyllable and it several interpretations including those of its constituents a, u, m.

Om is used at the beginning and at the end of a prayer and is also a word of solemn invocation. It also serves as a symbol of affirmation benediction and peace. It is used as magical symbol which can bestow supernatural powers, and as a vehicle to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. However, at the highest level, it is regarded as identical with Brahman, the Ultimate Reality.

There are a number of sources which give us several interpretations of Om: the Vedas and the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga and Tantra and hundred of commentaries. In fact the religious literature is so vast that the task of extracting the essence of Omkara is really formidable.

I have also included two chapters 15 and 16, which may be said to reflect secular views in Om. Chapter 15 is a brief discussion on the structural or syntactic approach, which considers structure as more important than meaning (semantics). Chapter 16 explains how linguists, anthropologists, sociologists and psychologists view about Om.

Since the work is meant for a general reader, I have refrained from using the Devanagari script Sanskrit verses in the original from and diacritical marks as far as possible. When such devices appeared to be indispensable, their explanation in simple language is provided. The common reader detests footnotes which I have avoided. However a few notes on some chapters will be found at the end for those who might be interested in knowing the sources for further reference. The average reader who us averse to ‘notes’ may ignore them.

The glossary provided at the end of the book will be useful to those who like me many tend to forget technical words already introduced earlier. It also contains a few words related to Om which could not be included in the main body of the book but which you may encounter elsewhere.

I was fortunate in that this work had a smooth sail since I approached the publishers. I am grateful to the staff who completed the administrative formalities without much ado. I particularly appreciate those who were extremely prompt in communicating with me; Mr. Rajiv Jain Ms, Kavita (who has since left NAB), Mr. Om Anand Ms Jyotsna and MS Pragya Jain. My special thanks go to those in the editorial department who have been working as it were behind the scenes. Their editing was exhaustive and often merciless which made me feel like a school boy who is being tutored by an unsparing master. However imagining myself to be in the shoes of the reader was all that was necessary to accept most of their suggestions. Editing may appear a thankless job but I can assure the editors of New Age Books that they can expect heartfelt gratitude from those authors who are able to rise above hubris.