The Word That is God

Pranava.” (Linga Purana 91:71)
Markandeya Purana
“Thou art the embodiment of pure Sound. Thou art the eternal Essence of all letters and
the embodiment of the three vowels [a, u, and m]. Thou art the half-vowel [bindu] beyond and
its special mode of pronunciation.” (Sri Devi Mahatmyam, verses 72-74)
The Bindu of Omkara is the embodiment of the Divine Creative Power that is the Mother
aspect of God.
Shiva Purana
“[Shiva said:] Recite the mantra Om to acquire knowledge of Me. I have taught this great
auspicious mantra. Omkara came out of My mouth. Originally it indicated Me. It is the
indicator and I am the indicated. This mantra is identical with Me. The repetition of this
mantra is verily My repeated remembrance.” (Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 10:15-17)
“The two sets of created beings–nama [name] and rupa [form]–are pervaded by this
mantra. It indicates Shiva and Shakti. The entire set of Vedas and crores [tens of millions] of
mantras were formed of that. Different things are achieved through different mantras, but
everything is achieved through Omkara alone. By this root-mantra [mulamantra] enjoyment as
well as salvation is achieved.” (Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 10:20, 23, 24)
Om is both the Creator and the Created, both Consciousness and Object, both spirit and
creative energy–Shiva and Shakti. Material and spiritual attainment and perfection are both
gained through the invocation of Om.
The science of mantra was perfected long ago in India. It is a truly astonishing body of
knowledge. The wise, then, heed the scriptures and apply themselves to the perfect practice
and knowledge of Om through Om Yoga and thereby attain the benefits of all mantras.
“Ishwara [the Lord] said: O dear sons, recite this Om mantra which is identical with Me.
Your knowledge shall be stabilized.” (Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 10:32, 33)
How often do people gain some insight or understanding and then lose it after a while or
else find themselves unable to manifest (establish) it in their practical life and make it
“theirs.” But through the japa and meditation of Om their knowledge will be stabilized and
made manifest.
“[To attain the realm (state) of Shiva], the devotee should repeat the Pranava mantra
every day.” (Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 11:36)
The world of Shiva is Shiva–the state of consciousness symbolically called by the name
Shiva. We gain that realm of consciousness through meditation on Om.
“[The yogi] shall not omit the practice of the Pranava mantra. While practising the Pranava
he shall realize fully the identity of the jiva [individual spirit] with the supreme Brahman.”
(Shiva Purana, Vidyeshwara Samhita 13:34,35)
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