"Aum" As The Udgitha

The syllable 'aum' has both religious and scientific backing whenever its significance is questioned. The syllable is unique in itself and complete in itself. One can experience its effects by simply experimenting on oneself.

Some things people cannot just question when it suits their modern sensibilities and they themselves reap the benefits of it.

With this syllable, the very recital of Vedic chants begins. It is the symbol of the Supreme as per the scriptures. Thus, it becomes the means of remembering and meditation of the Supreme. Before we dive our souls into contemplation of the Absolute Reality, we have to resort to prayers and meditation. It can be called the prerequisite to the vision of truth.

We may sing it or chant it and create an image of it in our minds with a pure soul and devout self to concentrate. We direct this concentration lovingly towards Almighty God. Chandogya Upanishad, Chapter 1, section 1 states, "aum ity etad aksaram udgitham upasita, aum iti hrd gayati tasyopavyakhyanam" . The Upanishad opens with the instruction to concentrate on 'aum', to move our mind away from all the other subjects of life so that one can develop 'ekagrata' or one-pointedness. All the Vedic chants have to begin singing out the Udgitha loud. However, the symbol is not the end in itself. It is a means to union with the cosmos and the Absolute.

Those who are not familiar with it obviously will have doubts and will listen to nothing but reason. There are various studies that prove how the chanting of 'aum' brings steadiness to the mind and peace to the soul. The 'Time Frequency Analysis of Chanting Sanskrit Divine Sound Om Mantra' done by students of Amravati University, Maharastra, show the following results:

• The entire mental pressure has been taken away by chanting OM mantra.

• Consciousness has been improved by the repetition of OM mantra. In this work, we have confirmed the significance of OM chanting.

• The time-frequency analysis has been carried out using wavelet transforms for the divine sound OM. We have concluded that OM chanting affords steadiness in the mind scientifically. This provides calm and peace too to the stressed mind.

• The mental stress of a person gets reduced while the mind reaches steadiness. As a final point, we have confirmed scientifically the accomplishments of OM chanting in reducing the stress from the human mind.

The sound of Om (aum) is considered to be the sound of the universe at the time of its creation. The pair of speech and breath is joined together in harmony and the sound of aum is meditated as the Udgitha. It is believed that the one who has knowledge of its significance and chants it also, becomes the fulfiller of one's desires. If an atheist mind does not want to believe, he can always examine it simply by working on it for a period of time and consequently reducing restlessness and stress from the body.

One is always given a choice to act on one's will and question things. When it comes to Vedic sciences they never fail to amaze humanity. The profoundly simple but simply profound ways of conditioning one's mind and soul can make our lives quite easy and bring positive energy required to deal with difficult phases we go through.

Below is the link given where Spiriual leader Sadhguru very simply and clearly explains the effects of AUM on human mind and what one should do to reap its fruits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HMgaToaEac