Understanding Praṇava Oṁkāra as the Supreme Lord
The profound science of transcendental sound reveals that the Supreme Lord expands Himself as the primeval vibration. Through his deep commentaries, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that praṇava, or oṁkāra, is the direct literal representation of the Supreme Absolute Truth. This indestructible syllable contains the full perfection of Vedic knowledge and safely guides the spiritual practitioner directly to the personal form of God.
The Sound Representation of the Supreme Lord
The absolute nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead means that He is completely nondifferent from His holy name and His sound vibration. This essential principle is highlighted by Śrīla Prabhupāda to demonstrate that oṁkāra is a direct, eternal, and transcendental incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. Because it is formed of three specific letters, this primeval hymn carries the full potency and presence of the Supreme Lord.
- As far as the omkara pranava is concerned, it is considered to be the sound incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As such, omkara is eternal, unlimited, transcendental, supreme and indestructible.
- In the Bhagavad-gita, the pranava (omkara) has been accepted as the direct, literal representation of the Supreme Absolute Truth.
- Pranava (om), or the omkara in the Vedas, is the primeval hymn. This transcendental sound is identical with the form of the Lord. All the Vedic hymns are based on this pranava omkara.
- The omkara, pranava, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead represented by letters. Bhagavad-gita says that the letters a-u-m, combined together as om, represent the Supreme Lord.
The Seed of All Vedic Mantras
All genuine scriptural wisdom naturally emanates from a single, perfect source. In the original Satya-yuga, the vast ocean of Vedic literature was entirely contained within the root vibration of praṇava. As confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa Himself declares that He is the syllable oṁ resting at the beginning of all Vedic hymns, making it the supreme seed of realization.
- Because in all the hymns of the four Vedas, Sama, Yajur, Rg and Atharva, the pranava or omkara is very prominent, it is understood to be Krsna.
- In the Satya-yuga, the first millennium, all the Vedic mantras were included in one mantra-pranava, the root of all Vedic mantras. In other words, the Atharva Veda alone was the source of all Vedic knowledge.
- Pranava, or omkara, is the chief vibration found in the Vedic hymns, and omkara is considered to be the sound form of the Supreme Lord.
- The Lord (Krsna) says in Bhagavad-gita, pranavah sarva-vedesu: "I am the syllable om in all the Vedic mantras." Vedic knowledge begins with the vibration of the transcendental sound pranava, omkara.
The Complete Understanding versus Partial Truths
Philosophical misinterpretations often lead conditioned souls away from the true conclusion of the Vedas. Impersonalists, particularly the followers of Śaṅkarācārya, artificially elevate the phrase tat tvam asi above the principal mahā-mantra, which is praṇava. Śrīla Prabhupāda fiercely corrects this error, explaining that while tat tvam asi offers only a partial truth, oṁkāra represents the complete and supreme understanding of the Absolute.
- Pranava (omkara) is the maha-vakya (maha-mantra) in the Vedas. Sankaracarya's followers cover this to stress without authority the mantra tat tvam asi.
- Tat tvam asi is accepted as the primary vibration by one who does not accept pranava, the transcendental sound incarnation of the holy name of the Lord, as the chief principle in the Vedic literature.
- The mantra tat tvam asi indicates only a partial understanding of the Vedas, unlike omkara, which represents the full understanding of the Vedas. Therefore the transcendental sound that includes all Vedic knowledge is omkara (pranava).
- The principal word in the Vedas, pranava omkara, is the sound representation of the Supreme Lord. Therefore omkara should be considered the supreme sound. However, Sankaracarya has falsely preached that tat tvam asi are the supreme vibrations.
The Process of Chanting and Meditation
For those beginning the difficult journey of self-realization, mastering the flickering mind requires powerful mechanical and spiritual tools. The practice of mystic yoga involves regulating the breathing function while constantly repeating the praṇava vibration within the mind. By training oneself in this discipline, a neophyte gradually purifies their consciousness and learns to meditate directly upon the transcendental limbs of Lord Viṣṇu.
- Lord Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita, pranavah sarva-vedesu: "In all the Vedic mantras, I am represented by pranava, or omkara." Thus chanting of the Vedic mantras beginning with omkara is directly chanting of Krsna's name.
- The chanting of omkara is recommended because in the beginning of transcendental realization, instead of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one may chant omkara - pranava.
- The neophytes are trained to the practice of self-realization by this mechanical process of regulating the breathing function and simultaneously repeating the pranava (omkara) within the mind.
- Then concentrate upon pranava omkara or the limbs of the body of Visnu, as recommended herein (in SB 2.1.19) by Sukadeva Gosvami, the great authority.
Chanting for the Vaiṣṇavas
The ultimate goal of all mantras is to establish a loving relationship with the Supreme Person. When a devotee embraces the Vaiṣṇava path, they naturally chant prayers that include oṁkāra, understanding perfectly that it signifies the personal form of Vāsudeva rather than an impersonal void. By using the purified life air as an arrow and the praṇava as the bow, the sincere soul launches itself directly toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- If a person accepts the Vaisnava mantra or Vaisnava way of worshiping the Deity, he is allowed to chant the pranava mantra.
- Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya is known as the dvadasaksara-mantra. This mantra is chanted by Vaisnava devotees, and it begins with pranava, or omkara.
- Then (after giving up his bodily conception of life) he takes the arrow of his purified life, and with the help of the bow - the transcendental chanting of pranava, or the Hare Krsna mantra - he throws himself toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- There is no difference between the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, and omkara (pranava). We should be careful to understand that omkara does not indicate anything nirakara, or formless.
Conclusion
The supreme vibration of oṁkāra is the undisputed anchor of all Vedic wisdom and spiritual practice. As illuminated by the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, praṇava is the literal sound representation of Kṛṣṇa, far surpassing any incomplete philosophical axioms like tat tvam asi. By respectfully chanting this eternal syllable, the sincere Vaiṣṇava pierces through the darkness of material illusion and successfully attains the personal association of the Supreme Lord.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Pranava - omkara. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.