Disciple:
Pronam (Respectful greetings), Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pronam, son. Speak.
Disciple:
Today, we would like to hear from your holy mouth about 'Omkar.' We would be delighted and inspired to learn what you have to say about it.
Gurudev:
Yes, certainly. You see, during the Vedic era, there were great intellectual and spiritual battles regarding this Omkar. That is why poets wrote about the 'Great Sound of Omkar.' In those times, monumental tasks were accomplished using this vibration. One must first understand its point of origin.
Gurudev:
Before Omkar, there was 'So-ham' (I am That). Higher than that is 'Hamsa' (Ha-am-sa). In our pure Ajna Chakra (Third Eye), resides the 'Hamsa.' Later, this Hamsa evolved into 'So-ham,' which means "I am That"—the realization that if you believe in the Divine within, you will find peace and everything you seek.
Gurudev:
Then came 'Omkar.' It is a Pudit Beej (an encapsulated seed mantra). It is added both before and after a mantra. A mantra begins with 'Om' and ends with 'Om.' This is the Pranava Mantra. Ancient sages performed great miracles with this sound. It rises from the Navel Lotus (Nabhi Padma) and resonates for a long time. Our poets said: "There once rose the tireless Great Sound of Omkar, vibrating in the strings of the heart as the mantra of the One." There was once a time of great struggle over the essence of this sound.
Gurudev:
Actually, the word 'Om' is a simplified form. The true sound is 'A-U-M.' It is composed of three letters. 'Om' is the evolved version used as the seed mantra now, but the reality is 'A-U-M.'
Gurudev:
The Three Components: Sun, Moon, and Fire
Gurudev:
These three sounds—A, U, and M—have profound significance:
'A' (Ang):
This is compared to the Sun. 'Ang Arkamandalaya Dwadasha Kalartane Namah' (Salutations to the Solar Sphere of twelve phases). It represents the twelve kalas (aspects/powers) of the Sun.
'U' (Ung):
Adding a nasal sound to 'U' makes it 'Ung.' 'Ung Somamandalaya Shodasha Kalartane Namah' (Salutations to the Lunar Sphere of sixteen phases). This represents the Moon (Soma). Great sages are likened to 'Soma.' They surround and guard the Omkar. Unless one has the merit of Prarabdha (accumulated destiny), these guardians do not allow a person to enter the essence of Omkar. It is very difficult to penetrate.
'M' (Mang):
This represents the Vahni-mandala (Sphere of Fire). It has ten kalas. 'Mang Vahnimandalaya Dasha Kalartane Namah.'
Gurudev:
So, the Sun has 12 phases, the Moon has 16 (making it full and perfect), and Fire has 10. Because high-level seekers are protected by the 'Soma' (Moon) aspect, the sun cannot scorch them, fire cannot burn them, and no evil can enter their bodies. This is the essence of 'A-U-M.'
Gurudev:
Who has the Right to Chant Om?
Gurudev:
We use the word Omkar all the time. Nowadays, some in the Brahmin community claim that non-Brahmins are not allowed to chant 'Om.' They say 'Om' means 'Aham' (I). This 'I-ness' or the 'Self' is wrapped within the sound of Om. Because of this, traditionalists argued that only Brahmins should chant it, and others should replace it with 'Namah.' You will see during funerals or rituals, priests tell the family members to say 'Namah' instead of 'Om.'
Gurudev:
However, through my studies and realizations, I have found that everyone can chant Omkar. There is no restriction. Since 'Om' means 'Aham' (I), it leads to three questions:
The Three Questions:
Who am I?
Where did I come from?
What is my duty?
Where did I come from?
What is my duty?
Gurudev:
When you combine the answers to these three, you find Omkar. To the question "Who am I?", the answer is "I am That (So-ham)." I come from that Divine Spark. I come from the Supreme Being who sent me to Earth to perform righteous deeds. He has set boundaries for us—what to do and what not to do. And my duty? It is written in the Gita. If one reads the Gita deeply, they will understand the greatness of Omkar. Lord Krishna spoke of this himself.
Gurudev:
My duty is simply to live honestly and bring smiles to people's faces. This is my personal realization of Omkar. The old Brahminical society was very rigid; they tried to maintain their dominance and didn't let others into this sacred space. But the truth is, if you don't understand why you are here or where you came from, you are no different from an animal. Therefore, everyone should understand and chant Omkar. Life is futile without understanding the Divine through Omkar.
Gurudev:
The Sound of the Universe and Science
Gurudev:
Omkar is the Pranava Sound. Ancient saints used this vibration to achieve great things. It is said that when the sound of Om rises from the navel and exits the mouth, it travels to the realm of Vishwaishwar (Lord of the Universe), who accepts it.
Gurudev:
If you look at the planets and stars, they are constantly emitting a sound like "Ommm... Ommm..." Science has now reached a stage where it acknowledges this.
Disciple:
I heard that science is researching this cosmic sound found in space.
Gurudev:
Yes, they are.
Disciple:
It is proven by NASA.
Gurudev:
Yes, NASA has proven that these sounds exist in space. Omkar is a powerful force. While modern priests often just say "Om" quickly before a mantra, like "Om Namah Shivaya," it is often not done with the full purity it deserves.
Gurudev:
The Correct Way to Chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Disciple:
When we chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, should we pronounce it in a specific way?
Gurudev:
Absolutely. Many people chant a "broken" or shortened version. The full sequence should be:
Gurudev:
"Om Jung Sah, Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam. Urvarukam-iva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Ma-amritat. Om Namah Maha Mrityunjaya Bhairava Shivaya Swaha Namah. Om Girijapataye Swaha Namah."
Disciple:
You used 'Om' many times in that mantra. And since you mentioned the Mrityunjaya mantra, could you explain its meaning?
Gurudev:
It refers to the Effulgent, Immortal Being whom we remember and meditate upon. He provides us with nourishment (Pushti). The nourishment we get from food is one thing, but the spiritual nourishment derived from the vibration of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is immense. It is chanted to conquer death and to be liberated from the bonds of the material world. It means: "I salute the one who provides eternal nourishment."
Disciple:
We have heard about Omkar from you today. Would you please chant it once with your spiritual power to show us how we should pronounce it?
Gurudev:
(Gurudev chants with a deep, resonating voice): "Ommmmm... Ommmmm... Ommmmm... Ommmmm..."
Gurudev:
It should be done like this. The longer you can sustain the vibration, the better. We chant this sound while keeping the Guru, the Lord of the Universe, and the Trinity (Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwar) in our hearts. All deities love this sound of A-U-M.
Disciple:
Pronam to you, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pronam, son. Pronam.
Spiritual Insight
This profound exposition on Omkar reveals layers of meaning rarely discussed in contemporary spiritual discourse. The progression from Hamsa (in the Ajna Chakra) to So-ham to Omkar traces the evolution of consciousness from individual realization to universal vibration. The technical breakdown of A-U-M into Ang (Sun - 12 kalas), Ung (Moon - 16 kalas), and Mang (Fire - 10 kalas) demonstrates sophisticated energetic knowledge—protecting the seeker from solar and fiery harm through lunar (Soma) grace. Gurudev's challenge to Brahminical exclusivity—declaring that everyone has the right to chant Om—is revolutionary within traditional Hindu contexts. The three self-inquiry questions (Who am I? Where did I come from? What is my duty?) transform Omkar from a ritual sound into a tool of radical self-discovery. The NASA confirmation of cosmic Om sounds bridges ancient wisdom and modern science, while the complete Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra with all its preliminary and concluding sections preserves authentic Tantric recitation practice.