On AUM and Silence

To quote from my Guru BKS Iyengar’s book, “Light on Pranayama”, whose words are quite exquisite:-

AUM conveys concepts of omnipotence and universality.

It contains everything that is auspicious as well as awe-inspiring. It is a symbol of serenity and majestic power.

AUM is the everlasting spirit, the highest aim. When its connotations are fully known, all longings are fulfilled.

It is the surest means of salvation and supreme help. It connotes the fullness of human life, thought, experience and worship. It is the immortal sound.

Those who enter and take refuge in it become immortal.

With power and light, AUM symbolizes fire, wind and sun, as well as the generator of these sources of power and light.

As time…….. AUM stands for the past the present and the future, together with the Almighty, who is beyond the reach of time.

As thought……. it represents the mind (Manas), the intellect or understanding (Buddhi), and the self or ego (Ahamkara).

The word AUM also represents the three states{gunas} of illumination(Sattva), activity{rajas}, and inertia (tamas), and also anyone who has become free of them, a gunatita.

If a yogi follows the path of wisdom (jnana-marga), his desires (Icha) , actions(Kriya) and learning(vidya) are all under control.

One who has realized the manifold meanings of Aum becomes free from the shackles of life. His body, breath, senses, mind, intellect and the syllable Aum are fused together.

By meditating upon AUM, the practitioner remains steady, pure and faithful, and becomes great. As a cobra sheds it old skin, so he sheds all evil. He finds the peace of the Supreme Spirit, where there is no fear, dissolution or death”.