Mantra Yoga - "Pranavam" -Thirumoolar

In the previous post, we have seen that the "OM" mantra is the pranava mantra. We shall see the meaning of the 'OM' mantra in this post.

The pranava mantra "OM" has to be added in the beginning of any other mantra and chanted. 

It is also called as thaaraka mantra and pranavam. The thaaraka mantra means the one that makes you cross something. Ship has thaarakam as another name for the reason that it hepls us to cross the ocean. Like wise the mantra is considered as pranavam mantra as it helps to cross the ocean of life.

The word Pranavam means pra - Universe, na - no, va - for you, means your relationship with the world will be cut if we chant the mantra.

All the vedas have been originated from the "OM" mantra. Hence whoever chants this mantra would get the benefit of chanting all the mantras.

In kaasikandam, it is said that Brahma has got that position of brahma only after chanting the "OM" mantra. In kandhapuranam, it is told that when Brahma was unable to tell the meaning of this pranava mantra he was put in jail by Lord Muruga. Then Muruga has taught the meaning of the pranava mantra to Lord Siva also and thereby he got the name Swaminaadhar.

For the earthly creations and its protection, the small drum in the hand of Lord Siva and the conch in Vishnu's hand named as Paanja sanyam keep making the sounds of "OM" mantra. 

This thaaraka mantra is called as Panchatcharam by Saivites and Sutchuma sadatcharam by Vaishnavites. The siththars have also stressed about the importance of this "OM" mantra.

"ஓங்காரத் துள்ளே உதித்த ஐம் பூதங்கள்

oangaarath thullae uthiththa aim poothangal

ஓங்காரத் துள்ளே உதித்த சராசரம்

oangaarath thullae uthiththa saraasaram

ஓங்காரத் தீதத்து உயிர் மூன்றும் உற்றன

oangaarath theethaththu uyir moonrum utrana

ஓங்கார சீவ பரசிவ ரூபமே!

oangaara seeva parasiva roobamae!"

says Thirumoolar about the greatness of OM mantra.