AUM is the first manifestation of God from Nirakaar Roop to Sakaar Roop. Before the creation of this universe only God existed (in Nirakaar Roop). Our holy scriptures indicate that when this universe was created, a very loud explosion took place which produced the sound of AUM. Even thinkers of the West, who subscribe to the theory of Big Bang, also support the view that the sound produced at the time of Big Bang was that of AUM.

The sound of the Sun has hitherto been considered by most ancient religions as the most sacred sound of the Universe. The actual sound of the Sun recorded by scientists at NASA is precisely as the ancient sages and seers of India had described in the Vedas thousands of years ago. It is a mantra, that can be termed in human speech as AUM. The powerful vibrations of this word are all pervasive.

AUM is a combination of three Sanskrit letters A+U+M. Analysis of these letters in Mandukyopnishad makes clear that there is profound implication of AUM as the symbol of God, Brahman, the Absolute. The four curves represent the four states of conscious-ness and the circle (bindu) represents the Self (Atman) which is part of the Supreme Self.

The large lower curve signifies the Waking State (jaagrat awastha). It is that state of consciousness of the gross body where the mind, through senses, is in direct contact with the objects of the world. It is the physical plane of existence where a person acts or reacts under the influence of Rajoguna.

The middle curve represents the Dream State. It is that state of consciousness when the mind withdraws the senses from the objects of the material world and identifies more with the astral or subtle body or suksham shareer – where physical body is transcended. Our deeper personality is subtle. It is composed of vital forces, mind and intellect. In this state of consciousness one creates his own imaginary material world – places, people, objects – and projects experiences based upon subtle desires. This imaginary material world vanishes as soon as one comes out of the dream state.

The upper curve symbolizes the State of Deep Sleep (sushupti awastha or unconscious state) and is related to kaaran shareer – where the individual is unaware of the material and sense objects. It is that state of consciousness where the mind withdraws the senses and enters into that subtle state which is devoid of both external contacts with the objects as well as internal contacts with the desires. It can also be called as the state of ignorance.

The semi-circle detached from these Curves, represents the Transcendental State (Sato Guna). And the Dot signifies the Absolute, the consciousness of the Self (Atman) which is part of the Supreme Self. This fourth state of consciousness is known as Turiya Awastha, which illuminates the other three states. In this state, the conscious neither looks outward nor inward. It is simply a quite, peaceful, blissful and enlightened state where the Atman experiences one with the Supreme Self – The Infinite.

Therefore, the world is described as prapancha or five-fold: It consists of pure Existence-Consciousness-Bliss (the essential nature of Brahman or the Divine Self) plus names and forms. In Sanskrit, pure Existence is Sat, pure Consciousness is Chit, and pure Bliss is Ananda. Thus the Divine Self is known as Sat-chit-ananda. In this way the form of aum symbolizes the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe.

HARI AUM TAT SAT, HARI AUM TAT SAT.