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Significance of Pranavam.

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Narasimhan KP • April 29, 2003 


Dear Members, Namaskaram.Another name for OHM is pranavam. 


Main meaning of OHM is beginning. It has been mentioned in Thaithriyo Upanishad as: 

OHM ITHI BRAHMA

OHM ITHI ITHAGUM SARVAM

OHM ITHI SAAMAANI GAAYANTHI

OGUM SOMITHI SHASTRANI SAGUM SHANTHI

OHM ITHYATHVARYUHU PRADHIGARAM PRADHIGRUNAATHI

OHM ITHI BRAHMA PRASOUTHI

OHM ITHYAGNIHOTHRAM ANUJAANAATHI

OHM ITHI BRAHMANAHA PRAVAKSHANNAHA BRAHMOPAAPNA VAANEETHI

OHM ITHI ITHAGUM SARVAM denotes the beginning of everything. ThatÂ’s why OHM is used before other gods name also.

Veda means “to understand”.  Vedam is the breath of Bhagavan with which he functions. The beginning point of vedam is pranavam.



It is clear in Matsya Avatar when Hiranyakshathan took away Vedas, the whole world was unable to function as the Vedas are lost. As Vedas are important for functioning of the whole world, pranavam is important for giving effect to Vedas. So chanting of any mantras without pranavam will not have any effect.

The reason for pravam being used before other godsÂ’ name is that they are also created by vedam. 



Further it was told by Adhi sankara



AKAASATH PATHITHAM THOYAM YATHA GACCHATHI SAAGARAM  

SARVA DEVA NAMASKAARAHA KESAVAM PRADHI GACCHATHI



By this we can understand even if pranavam is included for other gods, it will reach Lord Narayanan Only.

Hope I am understandable to some extent.

Thanks & regards

kpn

 


KPNarasimhan
B-2,"SRINRUHARIPRIYA"
New No.23, Kuppiah Street
West Mambalam
Chennai - 600 033.
Ph: 4894668.

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