Naciketá prays to Yama, “O Lord of Death! I want to get established in the Nirguńa Brahma, who is beyond all attributes – beyond to-be and not-to-be. Please tell me something about Him.” Yama replies,
Sarve vedá yat padamámananti tapáḿsi sarváńi ca yadvadanti;
Yadicchanto Brahmacaryaiṋcaranti tatte padaḿ saḿgraheńa vraviimyomityetat.
“In every veda the position which hath been the supreme factor of contemplation, for the realization of which the ascetics take to meditation, for the attainment of which the Brahmacáriis (Those who remain in constant cosmic ideation) take the vow of Brahmacarya (The act of a Brahmacárii) – in reference to that super-exalted Position, I pronounce to you the word Oṋḿkára, which stands for it.” Tasya vácaka prańavah.
Really speaking, there is no word in the language like Oṋḿkára, more suitable to the explanation of Brahma, for the state of Nirguńa is inexplicable. Although one may try to explain the state of Saguńa, yet there is no feasible way other than the use of oṋḿkára to explain His initial expression – indeed there is no other choice. Oṋḿkára as a term of expression is a wonderful unifying link between Nirguńa and Saguńa Brahma. In the written language only a dot (.) is used for Nirguńa Brahma. ওম (om) is used for the sonic manifestation of Saguńa Brahma and the phonic sign ([BENGALI CRESCENT SYMBOL]) is symbolic of the expression which is just about to take place.
ওঁম
Etaddhyevákśaram- Brahma etadevákśaramparam
Etaddhye- vákśaraḿ jiṋátvá yoyadicchati tasya tat.
This oṋḿkára is the first expression of the Brahmic glory and that is why, it is known as the Sound-Brahma. It occupies the topmost position, for the ultimate cause of Creation, Preservation, and Destruction is inherent in its three letters, viz., অ (a) উ (u = oo) ম (ma). One who has known and heard this oṋḿkára, echoing in the vast sky as the Macro-sonic phenomenon and the mental sky as the micro-sonic one, has indeed caught the very essence of essences right in the palm of one’s hand. Here one should bear in mind that when Oṋḿkára stands for sound, to know it then is to hear or pronounce it. When Oṋḿkára is pronounced or sounded in the Brahmic Mind itself, it is then meaningless for the Sádhaka to pronounce it during his meditation of Oṋḿkára. The sádhaná of Oṋḿkára means the endeavour to hear that sound.
That is why, in Ananda Marga Oṋḿkára is not a mantra (an incantation of invocation) for chanting but for hearing. Hearing or surrendering to this Oṋḿkára, which is the direct concomitant of the Brahmic nucleus, the Puruśottama, is to attain Him, and attaining Him means there is nothing else to be desired. Collectively or individually He is everything. Nothing is outside Him. He who seeks Him is really wise, for attaining Him means attaining all.
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