Devotee:
Namaskar, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Namaskar. Tell me.
Devotee:
First of all, Namaskar to all our friends. You are watching this video on our website, guptasadhakshyamakhapa.com. Please subscribe to this channel so we can bring more valuable videos like this to you.
Devotee:
Gurudev, today's topic of discussion is "Omkar." Please tell us something about the Omkar sound. What are its benefits?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The benefits of Omkar are immense. Omkar is what we call the "Pranava." Whenever we recite any mantra, we use the word "Om" before and after it. Now, if you break down the word "Om," three sounds emerge: A, U, and M. In our Bengali understanding, it is A-U-M.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Actually, the word is "Aum." This mantra originates from the navel (Nabhi-kund), from the base of the Kulakundalini. It travels upward through the Swadhisthana, Manipura, Vishuddha, and Ajna chakras, and finally, the Omkar sound emerges from the mouth.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To break it down further, we can look at the combination of vowels and consonants. When you add the nasal sound (Anusvara) to the vowels, you get:
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ang: Ang Arkamandalaya Dwadasha Kalatmane Namah. This refers to the Solar energy. The Sun has twelve Kalas (digits/aspects).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ung: Ung Somamandalaya Shodasha Kalatmane Namah. This refers to the Lunar energy. Here, "Soma" represents the nectar and the great monks and saints. Those who have attained spiritual heights are called "Amritasya Putra" (children of immortality). The Moon has sixteen Kalas.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Mang: Mang Vahnimandalaya Dasha Kalatmane Namah. This refers to the Fire energy, which has ten Kalas.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, Omkar is the union of these energies. While the Sun has twelve and Fire has ten, only the "Soma" (the nectar/spiritual essence) is complete with sixteen Kalas. These realized souls have protected the Omkar sound. Ordinary people are often restricted from certain depths of this practice because the energy is so fierce and powerful. Only those who are high-level practitioners are permitted to enter these spiritual realms.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Furthermore, Omkar answers three fundamental questions:
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Who am I?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Where have I come from?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What is my duty?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When these three are combined, it becomes Omkar. Our poets once wrote that there was a time when the great Omkar sound resonated tirelessly through the strings of the heart as the mantra of the One. In ancient times, great tasks were accomplished through Omkar. It is a "Nadh" (divine sound vibration).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
For example, Bamakhepa used to shout, "Tara! Tara!" That was also a "Nadh"—a vibration. Omkar is a sound that leaves our mouth, travels through the air, and reaches the "Amritamayi Tejomayi Purusha" (The Immortal Resplendent Being) in the sky. As I've mentioned before, there is an "Inner Sky" (Antar-Akash) within the heart where Lord Shiva resides.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Swami Vivekananda said, "Jiva is Shiva." Shiva resides in your inner sky and my inner sky. But we do not look within; nobody explains this to us. When you chant Omkar, He hears it within your inner sky.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Originally, this stems from the Vedas. In the early Vedic period, there weren't many "gods" as we know them today. The Vedas primarily recognized the "Mahamrityunjaya" or "Devadhidev Mahadev." When the ancient sages sought a being to whom they could offer oblations in the sacrificial fire—a being who was immortal and powerful—they found Him. "Shiva" means the one who does good (Kalyan). This Shiva resides in everyone.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Omkar sound was the primary tool for sages. If you look at the written symbol of "Om," there is a dot (Bindu) over a crescent. That "Omkar" is the formless Brahman. The dot represents Bindu-vasini, whom we call the primordial power, Adya-shakti Mahamaya. She surrounds and protects the Omkar so that one does not slip from their spiritual path while practicing celibacy and meditation.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In the Vedas, there were 24 deities or elements, such as Parjanya, Angiras, Rudra, and Narayana. These 24 elements are embodied in the Gayatri Mantra:
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
"Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This mantra, recognized by the Vedas, utilizes these 24 energies. Just as we call upon Saraswati for education or Lakshmi for wealth, these ancient energies were invoked for specific spiritual powers.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
(Gurudev concludes by reciting a powerful Sanskrit Stotram/Mantra):
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
"Kamakhye Varade Devi Nila-parvata-vasini, Tvam Devi Jagatam Mata Yoni-mudre Namostute. Kamakhye Kama-sampanne Kameshvari Hari-priye, Kamanam Dehi Me Nityam Kameshvari Namostute. Om Shroum Shroum Shroum Sah Phat, Aim Hrim Klim Jval jval, Prajval prajval, Hrim Hrim Klim, Shravaya shravaya, Shapam Nashaya nashaya, Shrim Shrim Shrim, Jhoum Sah, Aadaye Svaha!"