Om - The Universal Sound

Patanjali Yoga Sutras- Knowledge Sheet 23

Continues from the previous Patanjali Yoga Sutra which explained the meaning of Om and the significance of chanting Om.

Remembering the Lord with Om

"Tajjapastadartha bhavanam"

tad = its; japaha = repetition; tad = its; artha = meaning; bhavanam = feeling
“When you remember it (the Divine) by repeating the word, the word uttered gives you the feeling of the Divine.”
- Patanjali Yoga Sutra #28

This is an important sutra. Japa is what? It is a sound that can remind you of that state of feeling. For example, if you say mango, the word mango itself immediately gives you the idea and the feeling of the fruit. If you are fond of mangoes your mouth starts watering. There is an immediate reaction. Say Christmas or Diwali, it automatically generates the feeling of gifts and celebration.

So, tajjapastadartha bhavanam means, when you say Om you remember the totality of the being that is the very core of this existence, which is free from misery and which is all love, unconditional love. The sound Om reminds you of the Lord of the Creation.

Clearing obstacles from mind with Om

“Tataha pratyakchetanadhigamoapyantarayabhavascha’’

tataha = then; pratyak = the individual self; chetana = soul; adhigamaha = understanding; api = also; antaraya = obstacles; abhavaha = absence; cha = and

“Then the understanding of your soul, the Self happens, and there will be an absence of obstacles, that is, obstacles in your path will vanish.”
- Patanjali Yoga Sutra #29

What is the use of it? When this feeling of elevation, totality of consciousness comes to you then witness consciousness dawns in you and your mind gets totally transformed. Clarity begins in your thinking. Clarity begins in your feeling. The whole body undergoes a transformation; so alive, so full of prana, and all the obstacles in your path are removed. Just the memory of Lordship, of the Divine can remove obstacles from your mind.

<< When you say Om, the prana is total, complete Hurdles on the Path of Yoga >>

(This is part of a series of knowledge sheets based on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's commentaries on Patanjali Yoga Sutras.)