OM Meaning

The Meaning of Om
Before the beginning, the Brahman (absolute reality) was one and non-dual. It thought, "I am only one -- may I become many." This caused a vibration which eventually became sound, and this sound was Om. Creation itself was set in motion by the vibration of Om. The closest approach to Brahman is that first sound, Om. Thus, this sacred symbol has become emblematic of Brahman just as images are emblematic of material objects.
The vibration produced by chanting Om in the physical universe corresponds to the original vibration that first arose at the time of creation. The sound of Om is also called Pranava, meaning that it sustains life and runs through Prana or breath. Om also represents the four states of the Supreme Being. The three sounds in Om (AUM) represent the waking, dream and deep sleep states and the silence which surrounds Om represents the "Turiya" state.
Because the first of the three states of consciousness is the waking state, it is represented by the sound "A" pronounced like "A" in accounting. Because the dream state of consciousness lies between the waking and the deep sleep states, it is represented by the letter "U" which lies between the "A" and "M". This "U" is pronounced like the "U" in would. The last state of consciousness is the deep sleep state and is represented by "M" pronounced as in "sum." This closes the pronunciation of Om just as deep sleep is the final stage of the mind at rest. Whenever Om is recited in succession there is an inevitable period of silence between two successive Oms. This silence represents the "fourth state" known as "Turiya" which is the state of perfect bliss when the individual self recognizes his identity with the supreme.

The Symbol Om
Just as the sound of Om represents the four states of Brahman, the symbol Om written in Sanskrit also represents everything. The material world of the waking state is symbolized by the large lower curve. The deep sleep state is represented by the upper left curve. The dream state, lying between the waking state below and the deep sleep state above, emanates from the confluence of the two. The point and semicircle are separate from the rest and rule the whole. The point represents the turiya state of absolute consciousness. The open semicircle is symbolic of the infinite and the fact that the meaning of the point can not be grasped if one limits oneself to finite thinking.

The Power of Chanting Om
The chanting of Om drives away all worldly thoughts and removes distraction and infuses new vigour in the body.
When you feel depressed, chant Om fifty times and you will be filled with new vigour and strength. The chanting of Om is a powerful tonic. When you chant Om, you feel you are the pure, all pervading light and consciousness.
Those who chant Om will have a powerful, sweet voice. Whenever you take a stroll, you can chant Om. You can also sing Om in a beautiful way. The rythmic pronunciation of Om makes the mind serene and pointed, and infuses the spiritual qualifications which ensure self-realization.
Those who do meditation of Om daily will get tremendous power. They will have lustre in their eyes and faces.

Meditation on Om
Retire to a quite place, sit down, close your eyes and completely relax your muscles and nerves. Concentrate on the space between your eyebrows and quieten and silence the conscious mind. Begin to repeat "Om" mentally while associating the ideas of infinity, eternity, immortality, etc. You must repeat Om with the feeling that you are the infinite and all-pervading. Mere repetition of Om will not bring the desired result. Keep the meaning of Om always at heart. Feal Om. Feel that you are the pure, perfect, all-knowing, eternal, free, Brahman. Feel that you are absolute consciousness and the infinite, unchanging existance. Every part of your body should powerfully vibrate with these ideas. This feeling should be kept up all day long. Practice regularly and steadily with sincerity, faith, perseverance and enthusiasm in the morning, midday and evening.

Mantras
There are many mantras used in worship. The first is always the Moola Manthirum. This mantra forms the foundation which supports all the others. It was not written by a person but was given to us directly from Amma Herself in Her oracle. This mantra has enormous power. Some of the benefits conferred by reciting the Moola Mantra are:
The Divine energy freely flows from the feet of Amma to the different systems of the body. The holy vibrations penetrate all the cells and revitalize the entire system.
Eradication of one's Karma.
Gives you what you rightfully deserve.
Helps solve ailments and genuine problems.
Confers blessings leading to prosperity and a happy life.
Helps one to reach the highest spiritual pedestal (Mukti).
Prevents fatal accidents.

Each type of pooja or velvi has specific mantras which are recited at a certain time during the ritual. The long mantras have either 108 or 1008 lines and are concluded with a short mantra of three lines and three om's. The mantras recited during mandram pooja in America are shown below. Amma has given us permission to omit the 1008 line mantra which is normally recited because She says we are so busy and have little time. All mandrams in India, however, recite the 1008 as is normally required.
The number 108 has been considered sacred for thousands of years in India. The origin of this number probably lies in astronomy. The average distance from the sun and moon to the earth is 108 times each of their respective diameters. This is true to an accuracy of 0.5% for the Sun and 2% for the Moon. The thought that this was known so long ago is amazing. Like all tantric mantras each line is preceded by om and concluded with om. These characteristics give the mantras great potency.
With the exception of the Moola Mantra, the task of writing all the mantras was given to specific people by Amma and they wrote them under Adhiparasakthi's divine guidance. Two of the 1008 mantras were written by two individuals who were once staunch atheists before they met Amma. The mantras written by people were given their power when they were presented to Amma after completion and She imbued them with power.
For velvis and yagnas there are many more mantras which must be recited and no exceptions are given in these requirements. Specific mantras are required at various steps during the preparation and conduction of the ceremony to ensure that everything is done correctly.
Statues of Adhiparasakthi are used for worship in temples dedicated to Her. Only temples may install a statue and each temple must be built by a Sakthi Peetam. The statue of Supreme Goddess Adhiparasakthi in the Siddhar Peetam Temple in Melmaruvathur can be seen at the right. During the ceremony kumkum powder and flowers are offered to the Goddess as the mantras are chanted. These rites are called agama rites. As the Om Sakthi Movement expanded, devotees wanted a way to worship Adhiparasakthi without having to travel to the Temple in Melmaruvathur. Through Her oracle Adhiparasakthi said that Adigalar should sit beside Her statue for a picture. This picture could then be installed in a proper place in their homes and used by the devotees for worship. The first picture for this purpose and the picture currently in use are shown below.
The Siddhar Peetam in Melmaruvathur also has statues of the seven goddesses. These statues can be seen in the picture below which shows our Guru praying before them.

Chakras
For poojas, velvis and yagnas, large symbols, called chakras, are drawn on the ground and various decorations are placed on top of them. The measurements for the geometric symbols must be as precise as possible. Each symbol represents a different element of nature as shown below. It is very important to include nature in worship because Goddess Adhiparasakthi expresses herself through nature. When done correctly these drawings reveal the Goddess's heartbeat in a manner similar to the way an electrocardiogram reveals ours. In ages past we were much closer to nature and hence to Her, but as we have distanced ourselfs from nature, we have separated ourselfs from God. Utilizing natural elements and symbols representing them helps bring us closer again.
Earth
Fire
Space






8 Directions
Air
Reproduction
The geometric symbols can also be combined to create more complex symbols. One of the most complex and well known is the Shri Chakra. This Chakra is on the back of the medals that devotees wear around their necks. It is composed of four triangles pointing up and five triangles pointing down. These triangles represent shiva and sakthi. Each of the triangles formed by the intersection of these triangles is the dwelling place of a deity. The central point represents Supreme Goddess Adhiparasakthi Herself.
The Shri Chakra was used during a Yagna for world welfare held in New Delhi on January 27, 1995. Pictures of this Yagna and the large Shri Chakra can be seen below.
Below are pictures showing the use of fire in worship. In this case the fire is in a Yaha Gundam which is built out of clay or brick and sealed with earth. It must be built to exacting specifications in one of the shapes detailed above. Oblations are fed into the fire as the ceremony is in progress. This type of worship is known as vaithiga rites. You can also see many small clay lamps which are also used. Two other types of larger lamp made of brass called Om Sakthi lamps (tall with a large Om) and Kaamatchi lamps (short with a relief picture of Goddess and Guru) can be seen in the pictures on these pages. These two lamps are for everyday use as well as in velvi and yagna.
Worship, Enlightenment and Peace
The greatest form of worship is service to mankind, as demonstrated by the activities of the Adhiparasakthi Trust and Amma's devotees. Other forms of worship are important as well and one of these is described below. However, it should not be considered any better or worse than other forms of worship which have been given to us by God. Worship of God in the form of Supreme Goddess Adhiparasakthi is similar to Tantrism and Saktism. However, this worship is different from Tantric, Vedic, and other forms in a very important respect. Most Eastern spirituality is intended for enlightenment and transformation of the individual performing the worship, meditation, etc. The worship described below is intended for the enlightenment and salvation of mankind as a whole. Tantric teachings describe how it is possible for a single enlightened person to bring about worldwide enlightenment but it is not realistic. The Om Sakthi Movement strives to bring enlightenment through the collective efforts of many acting together. Instead of the worship being limited to a small group or single person, it frequently involves dozens, hundreds or thousands of people performing a huge velvi, or yagna.
These ceremonies harness the same Goddess Power used in Tantra, not for enlightenment of the individual but for the entire world. Because all living things are part of the same whole, the progression of mankind toward enlightenment leads not only to peace among man but harmony with nature. Thus, performing these ceremonies brings material benefits to those performing the ceremony, the place where the ceremony is performed, and even people far removed from it. Ceremonies can be performed for the home, temple, city, country and entire world. The Om Sakthi Movement is the first group to perform such large ceremonies for this purpose.
Overview
The form of worship practiced utilizes the power behind sounds and symbols. These material representations are used to focus the mind and body on Goddess Adhiparasakthi and our unity with Her. By doing this we can harness sakthi, divine power, for wonderful things.
The first sound and the most powerful is 'om'. This sound is also spelled as 'ohm' or 'aum'. This is the sound that reverberates throughout the universe and is regularly used in meditation and yoga. Although repetition of 'om' is sufficient for worship, it is very difficult to say it repeatedly without your mind wandering. Mantras were written to help the mind stay focused on what is being said while still repeating the necessary sounds. They are concentrated expressions of sakthi.

Om &Mantras


During pooja, statues, pictures and constructions are used as representations and recepticles for Goddess Adhiparasakthi. Although God dwells everywhere, including within ourselves, we have become so removed from God and unaware of our relationship that it is difficult to receive the benefits of this closeness. Creating and focusing on these symbols helps us to realize our unity with Her and through a form of positive feedback Her energy is drawn into the objects of our attention and provide great benefits for us.

Statues &Pictures


Symbols called yantras are also used as recepticles for Goddess Adhiparasakthi during pooja in a manner similar to the statues and such as above. The simplest of these yantras are called chakras. These are usually geometric drawings which are inscribed on the ground. Other yantras are constructed out of clay and mud and some of these called yaha gundams have fires burning within them for offering special materials for immolation.

Yantras & Chakras


Fire is used in poojas for Goddess Adhiparasakthi in several ways. The most common use is in small lamps. Larger fires are used in the conduct of velvis for the offering of special woods and other natural items. The smoke from these fires purifies and heals.

Fire

By using many symbols arranged in a specific way along with Mantras it is possible to draw upon large amounts of spiritual energy and use this energy to help mankind and the world. However, if it is not done properly it can cause harm to those performing the worship. This is because other forms of energy may be attracted by the ritual and some of these will cause harm if they are allowed to do so. Even the desired spiritual energy itself will cause harm if not properly channeled. This is because we are normally so removed from this kind of power that we can not cope with it on our own. This is why such rituals are rarely performed anymore. Most people do not have the time, patience and expertise to risk such things.
Goddess Adhiparasakthi has said that if these rituals are performed to the best of a devotees ability and in Her name then She will protect them from harm if a mistake is made. This is being done because the world is in need of so much help at this time and we are being given the opportunity to help ourselfs.
There are several different ceremonies which can be performed in worshipping Goddess Adhiparasakthi, from the simple pooja performed by an individual to large complex velvis involving hundreds or thousands of people and thousands of yantras, lamps, etc. We have provided a virtual prayer room for those devotees who would like a quick convenient spot for worship. You can enter through the link to the right.