Om / Pranava Mantra
ॐ / प्रणव मंत्र
Deity: Universal Brahman
Source: Mandukya Upanishad and all Vedas
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
ॐ
Transliteration
Om / Aum
Meaning
The primordial sound of the universe, representing the ultimate reality (Brahman)
Significance
Om (Auṃ), the Praṇava, is the foundational syllable of Sanātana Dharma — the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad calls it Brahman itself. Its sounds A-U-M signify creation, sustenance, and dissolution, resolving into silence. Prefixed to every Veda and mantra, it is chanted to still the mind and merge the self with the infinite.
Benefits
- Stills the restless mind and deepens concentration in meditation (dhyāna)
- The sustained humming steadies the breath and calms the nervous system
- Traditionally chanted to attune the individual self to universal consciousness
- Purifies the chanting space and the mind before any prayer or sādhanā
- Cultivates inner silence (mauna) and a settled, one-pointed awareness
How to Chant
- Sit on a clean āsana in a calm place, spine upright, eyes gently closed
- Inhale fully, then chant 'Auṃ' on a slow exhalation — A from the navel, U at the chest, M closing at the lips
- Let the M hum resonate, then rest in the silence that follows before the next round
- Repeat 11, 21, or 108 times, keeping the attention on the sound and its stillness
- Brahma-muhūrta (pre-dawn) is ideal, though Om may be chanted at any time with a settled mind
Related Deities
Brahman (Ultimate Reality)
Questions and Answers
What does Om (Aum) actually mean?
Om is the primordial sound from which the universe is said to arise — the very vibration of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Its three sounds A-U-M represent creation, sustenance, and dissolution, and the silence after them points to the formless absolute.
How many times should Om be chanted?
There is no fixed rule, but 11, 21, or 108 repetitions are common. In meditation even a few slow, attentive chants are valued — the depth of the resonance and the silence after it matter more than the count.
What is the best time to chant Om?
Brahma-muhūrta, the quiet hour before sunrise, is considered most auspicious for chanting Om. It can, however, be chanted at any time — before meditation, study, or prayer — whenever the mind needs to settle.
Can anyone chant Om?
Yes. Om is universal and may be chanted by everyone, of any age or background, who approaches it with reverence. It is the simplest yet deepest of sounds and forms the basis of nearly every Hindu prayer and meditation.
Which deity is Om associated with?
Om is not tied to a single deity but represents Brahman, the formless ultimate reality underlying all gods. It is identified with the unmanifest source from which Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva and all creation proceed.
