Glory of Pranava

Glory of Pranava

by Swami Sivananda

Within the Twinkling of an Eye!

Within the twinkling of an eye, you can enter the Realms of Inexpressible BlissNiratisaya Ananda! The key is in your own hands: that is OM, the most sacred Pranava.

OM is the Name of the Nameless: the Form of Pranava is the Form of the Formless. OM is the symbol of Nada Brahman. OM leads the Sadhaka instantly into Samadhi.

In the Upanishads you find this Sacred Pranava compared to a bow with the help of which the Atman (arrow) is directed to the Lakshya (target), i.e., Brahman. When the Yogi who has full control over his senses and who has practised the initial rules of self-discipline, viz., Yama, Niyama, Asana, Prana�yama, Pratyahara and Dharana, directs this arrow of Atman with the help of the Pranava-Dhanus, the arrow at once becomes one with the target! He loses himself in Nirvikalpa Samadhi and finds his Goal Kaivalya Moksha.

All Tapas, all Sadhanas, all observances, the practice of devotion, the performance of austerities, the vow of celibacy, of truth and of Ahimsa, all these have this one end and aim: Self-realisation. From time Immemorial the Sages of India have resorted to this Great Weapon Pranava for the purpose of achieving this aim. Various Upanishadic Seers have sung the glory of the Pranava.

Pranava leads the aspirant through all the stages, and that is the extraordinary charm in its meditation all at once! Ordinarily, man’s Antahkarana is filled with Vishayakara Vrittis. He runs after objective enjoyment. He is dissatisfied; he is puzzled; he is unable to quench his thirst for enjoyment. He is unaware that the very source of Bliss is within him, his own Self. Pranava guides him along the right path. OM! It reveals to him the source of the Joy, Bliss, Peace and Immortality. Through the three Avasthas represented by A, U and M, he is led beyond to Turiya: and there in that Silence, he finds his own Self the Antara Atman! That is the Goal!

Glory of Pranava – Sacred Om, Divine Vibration, and Self-Realization

Glory of Pranava is the glory of Om, the sacred sound that represents the highest truth in Vedantic and yogic tradition. Pranava is not an ordinary sound or word. It is regarded as the symbol of Brahman, the supreme reality, and the essence of all mantras. The sound Om points to the source, support, and final goal of the universe. It leads the seeker from outer noise to inner silence.

Pranava contains deep spiritual meaning. The sound Om is often understood as made of A, U, and M. These three parts represent the waking state, dream state, and deep sleep state. They also represent creation, preservation, and dissolution. Beyond the sound, there is silence, which points to the fourth state, the pure consciousness beyond all changing experiences.

Glory of Pranava lies in its power to gather the mind. The mind usually moves in many directions through thoughts, desires, fears, memories, and distractions. When the seeker repeats Om with devotion and awareness, the scattered mind slowly becomes concentrated. The sound becomes a support for meditation and a doorway to the witness within.

Pranava is also a symbol of unity. Many names and forms appear in the universe, but their underlying reality is one. Different religions, paths, beings, and experiences may seem separate, but the same consciousness shines behind all. Om reminds the seeker that diversity rests upon oneness. It teaches unity without denying practical differences.

Glory of Pranava is not limited to chanting with the lips. Its real practice includes listening inwardly, feeling its vibration, and reflecting on its meaning. Mechanical repetition may calm the mind to some extent, but deep transformation comes when chanting is joined with understanding. The seeker should remember that Om points to the eternal self, not merely to a sound heard by the ears.

In meditation, Pranava becomes a powerful aid. The seeker may sit quietly, keep the body steady, regulate the breath gently, and repeat Om slowly. The sound may begin aloud, then become soft, then mental, and finally dissolve into silence. This silence is important because it suggests the peace of the self beyond words and thoughts.

Glory of Pranava also helps in purifying the mind. When Om is repeated with faith, it replaces restless and impure thoughts with a sacred vibration. Anger, fear, anxiety, and desire lose some of their force. The mind becomes calmer, clearer, and more sattvic. A pure mind can understand spiritual truth more easily.

Pranava is closely connected with self-inquiry. After repeating Om, the seeker may ask, “Who is chanting? Who hears the sound? Who knows the silence after the sound?” This enquiry turns attention from the mantra to the awareness in which the mantra appears. The sound becomes a bridge to the soundless self.

The glory of this sacred syllable is also seen in its simplicity. Anyone can remember Om. A scholar may meditate on its deep meaning, and a simple devotee may chant it with love. A student, householder, worker, monk, or seeker can use it according to capacity. Its form is simple, but its meaning is vast.

Glory of Pranava teaches that spiritual life begins with sound but ends in silence. Sound helps the restless mind become steady. Silence reveals the deeper truth that cannot be fully expressed by language. Just as a finger points to the moon but is not the moon itself, Om points to Brahman but is not merely a physical sound. Its purpose is fulfilled when the seeker realizes the truth it indicates.

Pranava also gives strength in daily life. Repeating Om before work, study, prayer, or meditation can create inner calm. Remembering Om during difficulty can reduce fear. Chanting it with devotion can bring courage, patience, and clarity. It reminds the seeker to remain connected with the higher self in the middle of worldly duties.

However, the practice should be done with respect and purity. The mind should not treat Pranava as a casual sound. Truthfulness, self-control, moderation, compassion, humility, and clean living support its power. A restless and impure lifestyle weakens meditation, while a pure life makes the vibration of Om more effective.

Glory of Pranava also reveals the relation between individual and universal consciousness. The individual mind chants Om, but the meaning of Om carries it beyond individuality. The seeker begins as a separate person seeking peace, but through reflection, devotion, and meditation, they discover the awareness that is beyond separation.

In the end, Pranava is a sacred doorway to self-realization. It represents the whole universe, the states of experience, the silence beyond mind, and the supreme reality. Through sincere chanting, contemplation, purity, and meditation, Om becomes more than a sound; it becomes a living path. The seeker who understands its glory moves from restlessness to silence, from ignorance to wisdom, and from limited identity to the realization of Brahman.

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