AUM is considered the most important religious symbol in Sanatan Dharma. It is said that OM is the celestial sound of creations and everything is explained by the monosyllable “AUM”. Actually AUM symbolizes Brahm, comprising Prakriti and Purusha. Various meanings of Om or AUM are mentioned:
'Mandukyopanishad' states: This word AUM is described as 3x3 matrics: 1. Time: Past, present, future 2. Volume: X, Y, Z dimensions (Length, width, breadth) 3. Three type of Mano-Vriti: Sat, Rajas, Tamas. All attitudinal, behavioural qualities emerge from them.
AUM as Universe: Three free-flowing curves denote the physical dimensions of the cosmos and its perpetual expansion (the Hubble space), while the fourth detached curve is the metaphysical consciousness, the Purusha which drives the metaphysical natures. The creator and controller of both is sitting atop as the point source, the God, the para, aloof from both Prakriti, the physics, and Purusha, the metaphysics.
AUM as Multiverse: Three free flowing lines from the center might denote creation of multiverse from a point source. The fourth arch overhead represents a convulsive destruction phase, where the universe is destroyed and goes back to its point source. Note the point source is highly concentrated energy or consciousness that causes creations during Big Bang. This is ‘Para’, the God. Point source may also be what modern sciences call Wormhole, a passage to another universe or a shortcut to far and beyond.
AUM, the Brahmpurush: A-Absolute truth, U-Universal and omnipresent, M-Metaphysical endlessly.
AUM, the Prakriti: Three free flowing lines starting from common source at the center may denote three key dimension of nature: Sattwa, rajas and tamas. The dot atop denotes the union of all and recreation from it, again.
AUM by Gayatri mantra from Rigveda; 10-16:3 is about AUM and states:
“OM BUHR, BHUVA, SWAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHIYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAT”.
Om (the Brahm), the original source and creator of the Earth and all cosmic entities; that beholder of multitude of Suns and galaxies; Who is caretaker of the Gods, the creator and beholder of all the intellect, we meditate upon you to absorb you within (Note that Kapil Muni, 4000 BC said that intelelct was thrown with primordial creations); So that your being illuminates us all and illuminates the world. (Illuminate our thoughts and actions with holistic knowledge of you, the Brahm, comprising, Prakriti, the nature and Purusha, the universal consciousnes that constitutes our bodies and minds).
Conclusions: AUM has three prongs emerging from the common source; fourth the detached and yet a point above, the controller. While three prongs indicate the material world of three dimensions, the fourth detached is the metaphysical world or the continuum of Purusha. The point atop is the ‘Para’, the beyond and originator, controller and destroyer of the material and metaphysical entities. This interpretation best fits, with many other shloke which are mentioned in this chapter.
