The Word That is God
The Word That is God
The Word That is God
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“One attains samadhi by piercing nada (the sound barrier). <strong>The</strong> nada <strong>is</strong> pierced through<br />
repetition of Om and one attains samadhi.” (Sri Ramakr<strong>is</strong>hna Paramhansa, <strong>The</strong> Gospel of Sri<br />
Ramakr<strong>is</strong>hna, Majumdar translation: 3.4.2)<br />
“Sound <strong>is</strong> very easy for the mind to concentrate upon. As soon as the mind <strong>is</strong> absorbed in<br />
it, we r<strong>is</strong>e higher into a state of superconsciousness. It <strong>is</strong> said in the scriptures that Brahman<br />
revealed Itself originally as sound and the first sound was Om. <strong>The</strong>refore Om <strong>is</strong> the nearest<br />
symbol of <strong>God</strong> for helping the concentration of the mind and leading to the realization of<br />
Brahman. Om <strong>is</strong> the Shabda-Brahman [Brahman as Sound], the Brahman Which <strong>is</strong> beyond<br />
sound, but Which can be attained through sound.” (Swami Ramdas)<br />
Om transforms us into divinity<br />
“Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> the udgitha [Om], highest and best. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> endless. He who, knowing th<strong>is</strong>,<br />
meditates on udgitha, the highest and best, becomes the highest and best 109 and obtains the<br />
highest and best worlds. When Atidhanvan Shunaka taught th<strong>is</strong> udgitha to Udara Shandilya, he<br />
also said: ‘As long as they shall know th<strong>is</strong> udgitha among your descendants, so long their life<br />
in th<strong>is</strong> world will be the highest and best.’ And so will their state in that other world be. One<br />
who thus knows and meditates–h<strong>is</strong> life in th<strong>is</strong> world becomes the highest and best, and so h<strong>is</strong><br />
state in that other world, yea, in that other world.’” (Chandogya Upan<strong>is</strong>had 1.9.2-4)<br />
“Th<strong>is</strong> knower of Om in th<strong>is</strong> manner becomes the transcendent Isha or Shiva Who alone <strong>is</strong><br />
exclusively worthy of being meditated upon, and also becomes one who brings about the<br />
well-being of all h<strong>is</strong> devotees. Hence one should give up all things apart from Brahman <strong>That</strong> <strong>is</strong><br />
without a support, and devote himself entirely unto the attainment of Brahman [through<br />
Om].” (Atharvashikha Upan<strong>is</strong>had 3:4c)<br />
“<strong>That</strong> man <strong>is</strong> no other than the god V<strong>is</strong>hnu incarnate on earth who fully understands the<br />
mystery of the mantra Om.” (Agni Purana)<br />
“<strong>The</strong> yogi who identifies himself with Omkara shall merge himself in imper<strong>is</strong>hable Being.<br />
He shall thus himself become imper<strong>is</strong>hable.” (Linga Purana 91:45)<br />
“<strong>The</strong> yogi that becomes identical with Om becomes identical with the imper<strong>is</strong>hable Being.<br />
Pranava <strong>is</strong> the bow, the atman <strong>is</strong> the arrow, and Brahman <strong>is</strong> the target. It [Brahman] should be<br />
pierced [entered into] by one who does not err. He shall be concentrated therein as in regard<br />
to the arrow.” (Linga Purana 91:49a)<br />
“A mahayogi who performs japa and bhavanam perpetually of Shiva in the form of the<br />
Pranava, certainly becomes Shiva Himself.” (Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwarasamhita 17:26)<br />
“<strong>The</strong> yogi who <strong>is</strong> filled with Omkara becomes imper<strong>is</strong>hable in the Imper<strong>is</strong>hable Being.”<br />
(Vayu Purana I.20.4-)<br />
“Just as light <strong>is</strong> the property of a lighted lamp, so the sound of Om <strong>is</strong> the intrinsic property<br />
of the stage of samadhi.” (Lahiri Mahasaya in h<strong>is</strong> commentary on the Yoga Sutras)<br />
Om japa and meditation <strong>is</strong> the sum and substance of yoga<br />
In the second section of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali says: “Kriya Yoga <strong>is</strong> compr<strong>is</strong>ed of<br />
spiritual practice [tapasya], self-study [swadhyaya], and the offering of one’s life to <strong>God</strong><br />
[Ishwarapranidhana].” Commenting on th<strong>is</strong>, Yogiraj Sri Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya<br />
wrote: “Constant japa of the Pranava, Omkar, Which <strong>is</strong> self-revealing, and constant focus on It<br />
as the form of Ishvara, and dedicating all actions to It as if you are not the doer yourself; <strong>is</strong><br />
109 “Highest and best” <strong>is</strong> an upan<strong>is</strong>hadic title for <strong>God</strong>.<br />
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