The ancient Upanishads and Puranas talk extensively about AUM.
Hence I did some research on what they say.
AUM
“Om. Shining Ones! May we hear through our ears what is auspicious; Ye, fit to be worshipped! (Mandukya Upanishad 1)
I take many of the following references from a book 'Om Yoga' (www.devotionalindia.com/Vedas/download/downloadvedaspdf/Sacred%20Texts/Om%20yoga.pdf).
These may be useful as translations vary, you may wish to read the context or the commentary for these scriptures, most of them can be found on the internet.
What is AUM (Omkâra, Pranava, Oṁ, Udgitha, Vak in the Rig Veda)?
"The threefold Knowledge is based on the Omkara. It [Om] is another Triple Veda; he who knows that Om is truly learned in the Veda." (Manu Smriti 11:266)
Pranava means 'perfectly He is praised'.
"The Cosmic Spirit (God) utters Om and by pure will creates the various objects." (Yoga Vashishtha 3:67)
"And so verily, the udgitha is the yonder sun and the Om, for the sun is continually sounding ‘Om.’" (Chandogya Upanishad 1.5.1)
AUM is God, and is also a means, a vehicle, for meditating on and reaching God:
"OM! This Imperishable Word is the whole of this visible universe. Its explanation is as follows: What has become, what is becoming, what will become – verily,
all of this is OM. And what is beyond these three states of the world of time – that too, verily, is OM. (Mandukya Upanishad 1)
"This identical Ātman, or Self, (God) in the realm of sound is the syllable OM, the above described four quarters of the Self being identical with
the components of the syllable, and the components of the syllable being identical with the four quarters of the Self.
The components of the Syllable are A, U, M. (Mandukya Upanishad 8)
"O son of Kuntī, I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable oṁ in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man."
(Bhagavad Gita ("BG") 7.8)
"I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support and the grandsire. I am the object of knowledge, the purifier and the syllable oṁ.
I am also the Ṛg, the Sāma and the Yajur Vedas." (BG 9.17)
"Of the great sages I am Bhṛgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental oṁ. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa],
and of immovable things I am the Himālayas." (BG 10.25)
"For Om is the Parabrahman Himself." (Agni Purana).
"Om is the Supreme Brahman." (Svetasvatara Upanishad 1:7)
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (although this is not scripture) define AUM as "His (i.e. God's) spoken form (vachaka) is Om."
"He who here among men should meditate until death on the (three) syllable Om...(obtains) the world of Brahmâ Katurmukha (God)."
"by means of the Omkâra (i.e. AUM) he who knows reaches that which is tranquil, free from decay, immortal, fearless, the highest".
"he finally who, by means of the trisyllabic Pranava (i.e. AUM) which denotes the highest Brahman, meditates on this very highest Brahman,
is said to reach that Brahman"
"Yama thereupon at first instructs him as to the Pranava, 'That word which all the Vedas record, which all penances proclaim, desiring which men become
religious students; that word I tell thee briefly--it is Om'--an instruction which implies praise of the Pranava, and in a general way sets forth that which the
Pranava expresses, e.g. the nature of the object to be reached, the nature of the person reaching it, and the means for reaching it,
such means here consisting in the word 'Om,' which denotes the object to be reached..." (Brahma Sutras (BS) 1.4.6)
It seems to be a contradiction AUM being a vehicle to reach and also being God.
The reason it is not is that God is within each living being, controlling and directing through the chakra system and the
vital airs (pranas) which permeate the body and mind. God is indivisible, one cannot eg distinguish between God inside and outside the body:
"The Self (God) is the breath of the breath." (Kena Upanishad)
"The being who is the breath within–him I meditate upon as Brahman.…That which breathes in is thy Self (God), which is within all...
That which breathes out is thy Self, which is within all...Breath is the abode of Brahman." (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
"Pranava is the bow, the atman is the arrow, and Brahman is the target" (Linga Purana 91:49a).
God in you is the bow, you the soul is the arrow trying to reach God.
2. Relationship of AUM to Prana (vital airs to be controlled by) Pranayama (breath control)
A number of scriptures deal with this
This couple (Speech and Life breath) is joined together in the syllable Om. Whenever, verily, a couple is joined together,
each fulfils the desire of the other (Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.6)
"One draws in the pranas by means of the Syllable Om" (Maitri Upanishad 6:26)
"The Pranava is the vital breath (prana) of all living beings from Brahma [the Creator] to the immobile beings [such as plants].
Being the Prana thus, It is called Pranava." (Shiva Purana, Kailashasamhita 3:14)
3. How to pronounce AUM
The letters A, U and M are three letters from the Sanskrit alphabet and are difficult to pronounce for a Westerner like me.
In the Sanskrit alphabet, each letter originates from a particular part of the tongue or throat, with specific defined
movements of the tongue. IMO, you can only properly pronounce AUM if you learnt Sanskrit as a child.
Each letter of Sanskrit is loaded with mystic meaning, if pronounced properly.
Roughly, 'AU' is not dissimlar to the first 2 letters of 'ought', but the u is a bit extended (long).
Or, the word 'home' without the h or me. The 'A' is short.
It is a little like the English word 'ohm' but with a u in the middle. The 'U' is a little like 'oo' in moon.
The M is long. The 'M' which follows is a little like the first letter in the name of a car 'merc' for mercedes, but extended like mmmmmmm.
The highest pitch is for A, the middle pitch is for U and the lowest pitch is for M.
But, "This fire that is within a man and digests the food that is eaten, is Vaisvanara. It emits this sound that one hears by stopping the ears
thus..." (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.9.1)
4. What do the three letters mean, individually?
"Of letters I am the letter A, and among compound words I am the dual compound. I am also inexhaustible time, and of creators I am Brahmā." (BG 10.33)
"Vaiśvānara, whose field is the waking state, is the first sound, A, because this encompasses all, and because it is the first.
He who knows thus, encompasses all desirable objects; he becomes the first.(Mandukya Upanishad 9)
"Taijasa, whose field is the dream state, is the second sound, U, because this is an excellence, and contains the qualities of the other two.
He who knows thus, exalts the flow of knowledge and becomes equalised;
in his family there will be born no one ignorant of Brahman. (Mandukya Upanishad 10)
"Prājña, whose field is deep sleep, is the third sound, M, because this is the measure, and that into which all enters. He who knows thus,
measures all and becomes all." (Mandukya Upanishad 11)
"The fourth is soundless: unutterable, a quieting down of all relative manifestations, blissful, peaceful, non-dual.
Thus, OM is the Ātman, verily. He who knows thus, merges his self in the Self – yea, he who knows thus. (Mandukya Upanishad 12)
According to https://www.ananda.org/yogapedia/aum/ the 3 represent the vibrational energy of the creation, maintenance and dissolution
of the universe. It does not give a source. There are many auspicious '3's in the world.
Every sound or word you make actually starts with the Sanskrit letter A, but with our Western untuned ears we cannot hear this.
Similarly, every sound that you can make ends with the Sanskrit 'M'.
5. Pranayama
There are 8 stages to Yoga practice (A to H below)
A. Yama: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, detachment and celibacy
Obviously, non-violence involves being vegetarian, not wearing leather shoes...
""This effulgent self is to be realized within the lotus of the heart by continence, by steadfastness in truth, by meditation, and by superconscious vision.
Their impurities washed away, the seers realize him." (Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.5)
B. Niyama: purity of heart, contentment, charity, tapas (austerity, penance, eg fasting and pilgrimage), study of Vedanta, and satvik (meaning goodness) sacrifice
"This Brahman, this Self, deep-hidden in all beings, is not revealed to all; but to the seers, pure in heart,
concentrated in mind–to them is He revealed." (Katha Upanishad 1:3:12)
"When through discrimination the heart has become pure, then, in meditation, the self is revealed." (Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.8)
Three suppressions of the breath even, performed according to the rule, and accompanied with the (recitation of the) Vyahritis and of the syllable Om,
one must know to be the highest (form of) tapas (austerity) for every Brahmana.(Manu Smriti 6:70)
"Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa]" (indicating how Om is to be employed by the yogi) (BG 10.25)
C. Aasana (asana, seated meditative postures). These seated postures are learnt to control the five vaayus (winds) which maintain the body and the organs.
You need to sit straight with your whole body relaxed except your spine straight. Mouth, tongue, eyes (closed), cheeks,... relaxed. Brain relaxed.
Particularly, you need to keep the back of the brain relaxed.
The Yoga Vashishtha 6.1.128: "He should sit on a soft seat in a comfortable posture conducive to equilibrium".
With modern day living, there is enormous tension in the top brain and one needs to be aware of this area in order to completely relax it.
D. Prânayama (pertaining to the vital airs, pranas, through breath control), to control the 5 instruments of perception –
ear, eye, tongue, nose and sense of touch.
Pranayama is to do with the life force or vital principle and involves the expansion or extending of the breath. If you do this, these 5 organs quieten.
"With Om alone he should breathe." (Amritabindu Upanishad 20)
"Pranayama is composed of the Pranava, Om. [Therefore] he should repeat the Pranava mentally. This only will be pranayama." (Darshan Upanishad 6:2,5,6)
"Pranayama is accomplished through concentrating the mind on Om." (Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad)
"The Pranava alone becomes the pranayama." (Shandilya Upanishad 6:2)
"Pranayama is accomplished by effortlessly breathing and joining to it the repetition of the sacred Om with the experience of Its meaning,
when the consciousness reaches the deep sleep state." (Yoga Vashishtha 5:78).
"Pranayama is accomplished through the right realization of the true nature of the sound which is at the extreme end of the pronunciation of the syllable Om,
when sushupti [the dreamless sleep state] is rightly cognized [experienced] while conscious." (Shandilya Upanishad)
According to my guru, you inhale quietly, more deeply than usual, and then on the exhalation (again a little prolonged), you say AUM,
with the length of the M depending on how long your breath is.The beginning and ending of the word should coincide with the starting and ending of your exhalation.
You can place your palms together with the thumbs lightly pressing against your sternum bone and your head and spine erect.
You say AUM mentally, not out loud. The breathing should be done through the nose.
6. How to meditate (dhyana) on or with AUM
E. Pratyâhâra (complete restraining of the senses from receiving external impressions). This is for quietening of the 5 organs of action which are
speech, hands, feet, the anus and the organ of reproduction.
F. Dhâranâ. This is concentration of the mind (manas) on the Lord.
"The yogic situation is that of detachment from all sensual engagements. Closing all the doors of the senses and fixing the mind on the heart
and the life air (prana) at the top of the head, one establishes himself in yoga." (BG 8.12)
"Shutting out all external sense objects, keeping the eyes and vision concentrated between the two eyebrows, suspending the inward and outward breaths
within the nostrils, and thus controlling the mind, senses and intelligence, the transcendentalist aiming at liberation becomes free from desire, fear and anger.
One who is always in this state is certainly liberated." (BG 5.27-28)
G. Dhyâna or upâsana or yoga (i.e. meditation) "is of the nature of remembrance, but in intuitive clearness is not inferior to the clearest representative thought.
It is effort to fix the mind upon God.
"When all the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not–then, say the wise, is reached the highest state.
This calm of the senses and the mind has been defined as yoga. He who attains it is freed from delusion." (Katha Upanishad 2:3:10, 11)
"Meditation is to be carried on by the Devotee in a sitting posture, since in that posture only the needful concentration of mind can be reached.
Standing and walking demand effort, and lying down is conducive to sleep. The proper posture is sitting on some support,
so that no effort may be required for holding the body up." (BS 4.1.7)
"Smriti texts also declare that he only who sits can meditate (BS 4.1.10)
"To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay kuśa grass on the ground and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth.
The seat should be neither too high nor too low and should be situated in a sacred place. The yogī should then sit on it very firmly and practice yoga
to purify the heart by controlling his mind, senses and activities and fixing the mind on one point." (BG 6.11-12)
"One should hold one’s body, neck and head erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the tip of the nose.
Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind, devoid of fear, completely free from sex life, one should meditate upon Me within the heart and
make Me the ultimate goal of life." (BG 6.13-14)
"the meditation through which Brahman is attained is of the nature of devotion (bhakti)".
In (BS 1.3.12), Ramanuja commentary,
"He again who meditates with this syllable Aum of three Mâtrâs on the highest Person, he comes to light and to the sun. As a snake frees itself from its skin,
so he frees himself from evil." (Atharva-veda, Prasna Up. V, 2).
H. Samâdhi (deep meditation by the soul, not the mind) is the instrument of Release (from the cycle of birth and death)
where the meditating being realises its difference from Prakriti (including the mind).
7. Conclusion
Uttering the mantra makes one's mind peaceful.
"...Om is the ether-Brahman-the eternal ether. 'The ether containing air,' says the son of Kauravyiiya. It is the Veda,
(so) the Brahmanas (knowers of Brahman) know; (for) through it one knows what is to be known." (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.1.1)
"Brahman [is] the all-pervading spirit, the unconditioned, knowing whom one attains to freedom and achieves immortality. None beholds him with the eyes,
for he is without visible form. Yet in the heart is he revealed, through self-control and meditation.
Those who know him become immortal." (Katha Upanishad 2:3:8, 9)
"He who utters Om with the intention ‘I shall attain Brahman’ does verily attain Brahman." (Taittiriya Upanishad 1.8.1).
"Shutting out all external sense objects, keeping the eyes and vision concentrated between the two eyebrows, suspending the inward and outward breaths within
the nostrils, and thus controlling the mind, senses and intelligence, the transcendentalist aiming at liberation becomes free from desire, fear and anger.
One who is always in this state is certainly liberated." (BG 5.28)
"Thus practicing constant control of the body, mind and activities, the mystic transcendentalist, his mind regulated,
attains to the kingdom of God [or the abode of Kṛṣṇa] by cessation of material existence" (BG 6.15)
"One who, at the time of death, fixes his life air between the eyebrows and, by the strength of yoga, with an undeviating mind,
engages himself in remembering the Supreme Lord in full devotion, will certainly attain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (BG 8.10)
"After being situated in this yoga practice and vibrating the sacred syllable oṁ, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the spiritual planets." (BG 8.13)
"For one who always remembers Me without deviation, I am easy to obtain, O son of Pṛthā, because of his constant engagement in devotional service." (BG 8.14)
"..."One hundred times the joy of Prajapati is one unit of the joy of Brahma: but no less joy than Brahma has the seer to whom the self has been revealed,
and who is without craving." (Taittiriya Upanishad 2:7, 8)
"With this (syllable) does the threefold Science (of Rig, Yajur and Sama Veda) proceed; with Om does one recite, with Om does one direct, with Om does one sing;
all this for the adoration of the same syllable;-so also with the Grandeur and the Essence (of this syllable), does the act of Sacrifice proceed"
"Objection :-"Both kinds of persons perform acts with this, those who know as well as those who do not know."
[Answer]-But verily, Knowledge and lgnorance are totally distinct ; and in fact, what is done with knowledge, faith and due application, that becomes more effective;
thus indeed is there the expounding of this syllable itself" (Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.9, 10)
But "One, perhaps, in thousands of men strives for perfection; and one perhaps, among the blessed ones, striving thus, knows Me in reality. (BG 7.3)!
"By sound one becomes liberated" is the concluding verse (4.4.22) of the Brahma Sutra
"Only Its [Om’s] knowers sit here in peace and concord." (Rig Veda I.164.39)
"The three letters of AUM, if employed separately, are mortal; but when joined together in meditation on the total Reality and used
properly on the activities of the external, internal and intermediate states, the knower trembles not." (Prasna Up, V.6)
"O active soul, at the time of death, remember Om, remember God for thy vitality and thy eternity, remember thy deeds.
Know that soul is immaterial and immortal but the body is finally reduced to ashes (Yajur Veda 40:15)
"The knower of the real nature of Brahman that is identical with the Pranava, should cross all the formidable streams [of samsara, the cycle of birth and death]
with the ferryboat of the Pranava" (Svetasvatara Upanishad 2:8)
Om śantih; śantih; śantih
Om Peace! Peace! Peace!
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