The Word That is God

ecome a jivanmukta. It enables one to meditate upon Brahman, increases the prana, and
awakens the mind–for it arises from Shiva. Being the root of all mantras, and being the form
of the Primal Being, it is known as the mula [root] mantra. Because of its subtle and causal
nature, and on account of its state of repose and mobility and its being indicative of the
transcendent Ishwara, it is known as the Linga [symbol]. On account of its presence in all
beings, at all times, and its indicating the form of Brahman, it is called the Thread [sutra].”
(Yogashikha Upanishad 2:5-11)
Om, the embodiment of all divine qualities (being divine Itself), has the power to impart
those qualities to us who invoke It. Here, too, we see that the effect of Om is not abstract or
confined only to the highest levels, but It benefits–through evolution–all the aspects of our
being. According to the upanishad Om increases the life force and expands the mind.
In this and all passages regarding the nature of Om the word translated “symbol” does not
mean a mere sign or symbol in the usual English sense–the way the word “water” is not really
water itself. Rather it means indicator in the sense that Om is a form of Brahman that actually
puts us in direct touch with Brahman. It not only points out Brahman but attunes and joins us
to Brahman, being Itself Brahman.
As the gems of a necklace are held together by the string that passes through their midst,
so Om is the “thread” of all existence.
“Pranava is of the nature of Prakriti [all creation], as is borne out by the scriptural
statement, ‘Knowers of Brahman say that the Pranava arises out of the Supreme Being as
Prakriti.’ The Pranava is that by means of which the universe is sustained. By the repetition of
the Pranava the Turiya-Turiya Brahman flashes forth in the form of the non-relative atman.”
(Yogashikha Upanishad 2:13,14)
“That transcendent radiance is Om in Which there stand all the worlds and Brahma,
Vishnu, and Shiva, all the worlds, all speech, and the Vedas.” (Yogashikha Upanishad 6:56,57)
A Yoga Upanishad
“The Turiya-Turiya, the Brahma Pranava [Om], establishes Itself as the imperishable. In
this substratum of the transcendent Brahman, knowers of the Vedas, intent on attaining their
beatitude, seek final repose by becoming one with It.” (This is from one of the Yoga Upanishads,
but I failed to get the reference.)
Turiya-Turiya means “the consciousness of consciousness,” the absolute substratum of
reality: the Absolute. Sri Upanishadbrahmayogin comments that Pranava “establishes Itself as
the imperishable” by “causing the dissolution of all perceptions apart from Itself which are
perishable and which, though originally considered as the support of all things apart from
Itself, proves, on closer scrutiny, to be itself the Unsupported [Brahman].”
The Puranas
Purana literally means “The Ancient.” The Puranas are a number of scriputres attributed
to the sage Vyasa that teach spiritual principles and practices through stories about cosmology
and sacred historical personages which often include their teachings given in conversations.
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