OM , AUM & YSeeker

Certainly, AUM, OM syllabus are well known by most of people around the world. The purpose of this article is to share some less known meanings of AUM/OM as syllabus, symbol and mantra.

The origin of the syllabus AUM/OM is lost in the misty past. It is not being specific to any one country or civilization is indicative of its being an universally perceptible sound for the human race. This reason for this universal perceptibility possibly lies in the fact that AH is the most natural sound that issues from the human voice. This is evident when a person cries out naturally in extreme pain, anger or fear. When emotions reach an extreme pitch the articulate sounds evolved by man are not the ones that are heard, but the syllable natural to man which is AH or OH.

AUM / OM is a mystical or sacred syllable and symbol in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions. It is considered the primordial sound, the symbol of infinity, where is not beginning and no end. It is the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet, and it is said to be the first sound produced by the breath of a new-born child. This term occurs in various ancient and modern civilizations. It exists the same in Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.

The syllable AUM is first described as a mystical entity in the Upanishads. It symbolizes the three Vedas, the three states of the nature of man, the three divisions of the universe, the three Gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, which are the agents of creation, conservation, and destruction on Earth or, more properly speaking, the three attributes of the Supreme Being personified by these divinities. Mandukya Upanishad greatly explains the significance of AUM.

" All this Cosmic Universe is the Eternal word OM. Its further explanation is this: the past, the present, the future and everything is just OM. And whatever transcends the three divisions of time - that too is just OM. ... Thus the Word OM is verily the Self (Atman). He who knows this, with his self (Jiva), enters the Self (Atman)."

Mandukya Upanishad

The syllable OM is quite familiar to a Hindu. It occurs in every prayer. Invocation to most Gods begin with this syllable.

Invoking the sacred syllable, the ancient Rishes of India said, "Nothing either begins or ends; all is change, and that which we call death is transformation".

The full article can be read in the first global e-magazine, YSeeker

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What is Dharma ?

Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one's life according to the codes of conduct as described by the Hindu scriptures.

Moral Law of the World
Hinduism describes dharma as the natural universal laws whose observance enables humans to be contented and happy, and to save himself from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life. Hindus consider dharma the very foundation of life. It means "that which holds" the people of this world and the whole creation. Dharma is the "law of being" without which things cannot exist.

According to the Scriptures
Dharma refers to the religious ethics as propounded by Hindu gurus in ancient Indian scriptures. Tulsidas, author of Ramcharitmanas, has defined the root of dharma as compassion. This principle was taken up by Lord Buddha in his immortal book of great wisdom, Dhammapada. The Atharva Veda describes dharma symbolically: Prithivim dharmana dhritam, that is, "this world is upheld by dharma". In the epic poem Mahabharata, the Pandavas represent dharma in life and the Kauravas represent adharma.

Good Dharma = Good Karma
Hinduism accepts the concept of reincarnation, and what determines the state of an individual in the next existence is karma which refers to the actions undertaken by the body and the mind. In order to achieve good karma it is important to live life according to dharma, what is right. This involves doing what is right for the individual, the family, the class or caste and also for the universe itself. Dharma is like a cosmic norm and if one goes against the norm it can result in bad karma. So, dharma affects the future according to the karma accumulated. Therefore one's dharmic path in the next life is the one necessary to bring to fruition all the results of past karma.

What Makes You Dharmic?
Anything that helps human being to reach god is dharma and anything that hinders human being from reaching god is adharma. According to the Bhagavat Purana, righteous living or life on a dharmic path has four aspects: austerity (tap), purity (shauch), compassion (daya) and truthfulness (satya); and adharmic or unrighteous life has three vices: pride (ahankar), contact (sangh), and intoxication (madya). The essence of dharma lies in possessing a certain ability, power and spiritual strength. The strength of being dharmic also lies in the unique combination of spiritual brilliance and physical prowess.

The 10 Rules of Dharma
Manusmriti written by the ancient sage Manu, prescribes 10 essential rules for the observance of dharma: Patience (dhriti), forgiveness (kshama), piety or self control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indraiya-nigrah), reason (dhi), knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of anger (krodha). Manu further writes, "Non-violence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of dharma". Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all in society.

The Purpose of Dharma
The purpose of dharma is not only to attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality, it also suggests a code of conduct that is intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Rishi Kanda has defined dharma in Vaisesika as "that confers worldly joys and leads to supreme happiness". Hinduism is the religion that suggests methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and eternal bliss here and now on earth and not somewhere in heaven. For example, it endorses the idea that it is one's dharma to marry, raise a family and provide for that family in whatever way is necessary. The practice of dharma gives an experience of peace, joy, strength and tranquillity within one's self and makes life disciplined.

(From Hindu Tenets and Concepts)