OM

                            

Om (or Auṃ [ə̃ũ], Sanskrit: ॐ) is a sacred sound and a spiritual icon in Indian religions.^[1] It is also a mantra in Hinduism, Buddhism andJainism.

Om is part of the iconography found in ancient and medieval era manuscripts, temples, monasteries and spiritual retreats in Hindu, Buddha, Sikh and Jain Dharmas.The symbol has a spiritual meaning in all Indian dharmas, but the meaning and connotations of Om vary between the diverse schools within and across the various traditions.

In Hinduism, Om is one of the most important spiritual symbols (pratima).^[6][7] It refers to Atman (soul, self within) and Brahman (ultimate reality, entirety of the universe, truth, divine, supreme spirit, cosmic principles, knowledge).The syllable is often found at the beginning and the end of chapters in the Vedas, the Upanishads, and other Hindu texts.^[10] It is a sacred spiritual incantation made before and during the recitation of spiritual texts, during puja and private prayers, in ceremonies of rites of passages (sanskara) such as weddings, and sometimes during meditative and spiritual activities such as Yoga.

The syllable is also referred to as omkara (ओंकार, oṃkāra), aumkara (औंकार, auṃkāra), and pranava (प्रणव, praṇava).

Etymology[edit]

The etymological origins of Om are unclear. Some scholars consider Om to have been variously held as the "cosmic sound" or "mystical syllable" in ancient India, or simply as "affirmation to something divine", or as symbolism for abstract spiritual concepts in the Upanishads.^[10] It is found in most ancient layer of the Vedic texts such as the Rig Veda, dated to be from the 2nd millennium BCE.^[3][10] The hymn 1.1.1 of Rig Veda Samhita, for example, opens as^[14]

ॐ अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥१॥

— Rigveda 1.1.1, ^[14]

The syllable means "affirmation" in the Aranyaka layer of texts in the Vedas. Aitareya Aranyaka, for example, in verse 23.6, explains Om as an acknowledgment, melodic confirmation, something that gives momentum and energy to a hymn,

Om (ॐ) is the pratigara (agreement) with a hymn. Likewise is tatha (so be it) with a song. But Om is something divine, and tatha is something human.

— Aitareya Aranyaka 23.6, 

Elsewhere in the Aranyaka and the Brahmana layers of Vedic texts, the syllable is so widespread and linked to knowledge, that it stands for the "whole of Veda". The etymological foundations of Om are repeatedly discussed in the oldest layers of the Vedic texts, as well the early Upanishads.^[15][16] Aitareya Brahmana, in section 5.32, for example suggests that the three phonetic components of Om (pronounced AUM) correspond to the three stages of cosmic creation, and when it is read or said, it celebrates the creative powers of the universe. The Brahmana layer of Vedic texts equate Om with Bhur-bhuvah-Svah, the latter symbolizing "the whole Veda". They offer various shades of meaning to Om, such as it being "the universe beyond the sun", or that which is "mysterious and inexhaustible", or "the infinite language, the infinite knowledge", or "essence of breath, life, everything that exists", or that "with which one is liberated". The Sama Veda, the poetical Veda, orthographically maps Om to the audible, the musical truths in its numerous variations (Oum, Aum, Ovā Ovā Ovā Um, etc.) and then attempts to extract musical meters from it.

The syllable Om evolves to mean many abstract ideas in the earliest Upanishads. Max Muller and other scholars state that these philosophical texts recommend Om as a "tool for meditation", explain various meanings that the syllable may be in the mind of one meditating, ranging from "artificial and senseless" to "highest concepts such as the cause of the Universe, essence of life, Brahman, Atman, and Self-knowledge".

The syllable is also referred to as praṇava. Other used terms are akṣara (literally, letter of the alphabet, imperishable, immutable) or ekākṣara (one letter of the alphabet), and omkāra (literally, beginning, female divine energy).

Om or Aum is also written ओ३म् (o̿m [õːːm]), where ३ is pluta ("three times as long"), indicating a length of three morae (that is, the time it takes to say three syllables) — anoverlong nasalised close-mid back rounded vowel, though there are other enunciations adhered to in various traditions.^{[citation needed]} The word Om may share roots with the Tamil word "Ām" (Tam:ஆம், meaing: yes) meaning yes (Ām>Aum>Om).

Vedic literature[edit]

The syllable "Om" is described with various meanings in the Vedas and different early Upanishads.^[19] The meanings include "the sacred sound, the Yes!, the Vedas, the Udgitha (song of the universe), the infinite, the all encompassing, the whole world, the truth, the ultimate reality, the finest essence, the cause of the Universe, the essence of life, the Brahman, the Atman, the vehicle of deepest knowledge, and Self-knowledge".^[19]

Vedas[edit]

The chapters in Vedas, and numerous hymns, chants and benedictions therein use the syllable Om.^[3] The Gayatri mantra from the Rig Veda, for example, begins with Om. The mantra is extracted from the 10th verse of Hymn 62 in Book III of the Rig Veda.^[25]These recitations continue to be in use, and major incantations and ceremonial functions begin and end with Om.^[3]

ॐ भूर्भुवस्व: |
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् |
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि |
धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात् ||

Om. Earth, atmosphere, heaven.
Let us think on that desirable splendour
of Savitr, the Inspirer. May he stimulate
us to insightful thoughts.

Simple method of doing Hawan at home

Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs specially of mango tree if possible. Havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on such asan on four time folded blanket and blanket must be on mat. Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gaytri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. 

Then open your eyes. Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRTIO UPASTRANMASI WAHA and drink the water put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, AND DRINK THE WATER. THEN AGAIN TAKE THE water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, AND drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl. 

Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gaytri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gaytri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand's finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits.

The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times.

BENEFITS OF YAJYEN:
Yajurveda gives knowledge to do pious deeds. The first mantra of Yajurveda (1/1) says that human beings must perform Yajyen in which offerings are put in burning fire with Ved mantras. Then mantra says it will prevent the infectious disease and will give constant pleasure. Saamveda mantra 534 says that the matters like ghee and samagri when poured in fire while performing Yajyen, then these matters go in sky and create rain and make the atmosphere pure. Saamveda mantra 536 says that in YAJYEN, the matters (aahuti/offerings) goes up to sun and gives strength to sun to cause rain. Saamveda mantra 537 tells the offerings in a Yajyen must touch the ray of light of sun. Saamveda mantra 539 says that the offerings in a Yajyen, goes to the sky to create rain so that the animal, birds etc., are increased in number. Saamveda mantra 1379 says that Yajyen must be performed while chanting ved mantras and mantra 1380 says that age is increased by Yajyen. Saamveda mantra 1363 says thatone who loves Yajyen, he well concentrates/meditates. Saamveda mantra 1270 says that the offerings in Yajyen goes in the sky through ray of light of sun. Yajurveda mantra 1/2 says that Yajyen purifies the earth. It is stable in ray of light of sun and goes to sky and sun through air. Yajyen purifies the air and holds the universe spreading pleasure all over. When Yajyen is performed then air touches the burning fire and scientifically is purified just as water is boiled on fire and becomes purified. Then the pure air goes up and the old air starts touching the fire and after becoming purified goers to sky and this procedure is continued till the end of Yajyen. Yajyen is basically performed by using a stick of mango tree.

A scientist named Trelle of France did experiments on Yajyen. He found that Yajyen is mainly performed by using mango tree. When the wood is burnt then a gas, "formic aldehyde" comes out which destroys the harmful bacteria and makes the atmosphere purified. Then only, the scientists made "formalin" from "formic aldehyde" gas. He also did experiment on jaggery Gur (in Hindi raw sugar) and found that on burning the jaggery, jaggery also generates "formic aldehyde" gas. A scientist named Tautilk came to know that if we stay in a Yajyen and its smoke for half an hour then the germs of typhoid are destroyed and all these matters are used in Yajyen. Yajurveda says that four types of things mainly used to prepare offerings for aYajyen- 1. Sweet Like honey, jaggery, raw sugar etc., 2. Antibiotic herbs like gyol, etc., 3. Nutrition like pure ghee, dry fruits etc., 4. Fragrant materials like elaichi (cardamom) dried petals flowers etc. 

So when all these are offered then it happens that when a household lady in her kitchen fries chilly in ghee then you know the effect of the chilly through air even goes to a far distance like drawing room and other rooms too. So is the case ofYajyen and similarly the offerings of all the things goes to the sky and to sun making contact with air and ray of light of sun. chilly leaves its bad effect to the nose whereas the above said things used in Yajyen leave the best affect in atmosphere according to the qualities of each thing. That is why Saamveda mantra 3 says that burning fire is like messenger/ambassador which does work to carry the effect of all above things to the sky i.e., spreads. Everybody knows thatthings/matters are never destroyed but changes its shape only. There is also a misunderstanding that in a Yajyen/havan carbon dioxide gas is generated. Carbon dioxide is available in whole of universe. Its huge quantity is harmful only but when carbon dioxide comes out from havan, duly mixed with ghee and other things it becomes beneficial to all human beings. Secondly inthe mango tree, not much carbon dioxide comes out while burning. Scientists also say that carbon dioxide is taken by human beings in soda lemonade which becomes digestible. Therefore the holy Yajyen in addition is a scientific action which is beneficial to the whole universe. 

Dr. Kundanlal (M.D.) was an allopathic doctor, he took twelve test tubes made of glass duly purified scientifically , six sets of two test tubes each made and each set was filled with milk and food i.e., six were filled with milk and six werefilled with food. In six test tubes, there was air of Yajyen/havan. In other six test tubes there was only ordinary air of garden filled. Now Dr. Kundanlal started regular watch on each test tubes. He found the result that the food which was filled by ordinary air of garden started decaying and giving bad smell quickly whereas the food with air of Yajyen/havan started decaying slowly. This experiment was based while performing a single havan but a spiritual havan containing all things (minimum 21 herbs) will give the best result.

Therefore there are unlimited benefits of Yajyen which can not be explained in full being much lengthy. I have forgotten about an article I read in a leading newspaper of Indonesia about ten years back, in which it was mentioned that in a country, a jungle up to the area of 30 miles started getting dried up due to a disease in herbs and trees. The Govt. tried level best to nurse the jungles but all in vain. The country came to know from somewhere about Yajyen and not Yajyen buta simple havan without Ved mantras was started there and slowly, the whole jungle was recovered and became greens, duly free from disease. 

Yajyen in the night will contain only spiritual effect but the physical effect for causing rain and purification of atmosphere will be decreased as all the things used in Yajyen/havan will be unable to go to sky and even to sun in the absence of ray of light of sun as mentioned in above mantras.
Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs specially of mango tree if possible. Havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on such asan on four time folded blanket and blanket must be on mat. Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gaytri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. 

Then open your eyes. Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRTIO UPASTRANMASI WAHA and drink the water put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, AND DRINK THE WATER. THEN AGAIN TAKE THE water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, AND drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl. 

Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gaytri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gaytri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand's finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits.

The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times.

BENEFITS OF YAJYEN:
Yajurveda gives knowledge to do pious deeds. The first mantra of Yajurveda (1/1) says that human beings must perform Yajyen in which offerings are put in burning fire with Ved mantras. Then mantra says it will prevent the infectious disease and will give constant pleasure. Saamveda mantra 534 says that the matters like ghee and samagri when poured in fire while performing Yajyen, then these matters go in sky and create rain and make the atmosphere pure. Saamveda mantra 536 says that in YAJYEN, the matters (aahuti/offerings) goes up to sun and gives strength to sun to cause rain. Saamveda mantra 537 tells the offerings in a Yajyen must touch the ray of light of sun. Saamveda mantra 539 says that the offerings in a Yajyen, goes to the sky to create rain so that the animal, birds etc., are increased in number. Saamveda mantra 1379 says that Yajyen must be performed while chanting ved mantras and mantra 1380 says that age is increased by Yajyen. Saamveda mantra 1363 says thatone who loves Yajyen, he well concentrates/meditates. Saamveda mantra 1270 says that the offerings in Yajyen goes in the sky through ray of light of sun. Yajurveda mantra 1/2 says that Yajyen purifies the earth. It is stable in ray of light of sun and goes to sky and sun through air. Yajyen purifies the air and holds the universe spreading pleasure all over. When Yajyen is performed then air touches the burning fire and scientifically is purified just as water is boiled on fire and becomes purified. Then the pure air goes up and the old air starts touching the fire and after becoming purified goers to sky and this procedure is continued till the end of Yajyen. Yajyen is basically performed by using a stick of mango tree.

A scientist named Trelle of France did experiments on Yajyen. He found that Yajyen is mainly performed by using mango tree. When the wood is burnt then a gas, "formic aldehyde" comes out which destroys the harmful bacteria and makes the atmosphere purified. Then only, the scientists made "formalin" from "formic aldehyde" gas. He also did experiment on jaggery Gur (in Hindi raw sugar) and found that on burning the jaggery, jaggery also generates "formic aldehyde" gas. A scientist named Tautilk came to know that if we stay in a Yajyen and its smoke for half an hour then the germs of typhoid are destroyed and all these matters are used in Yajyen. Yajurveda says that four types of things mainly used to prepare offerings for aYajyen- 1. Sweet Like honey, jaggery, raw sugar etc., 2. Antibiotic herbs like gyol, etc., 3. Nutrition like pure ghee, dry fruits etc., 4. Fragrant materials like elaichi (cardamom) dried petals flowers etc. 

So when all these are offered then it happens that when a household lady in her kitchen fries chilly in ghee then you know the effect of the chilly through air even goes to a far distance like drawing room and other rooms too. So is the case ofYajyen and similarly the offerings of all the things goes to the sky and to sun making contact with air and ray of light of sun. chilly leaves its bad effect to the nose whereas the above said things used in Yajyen leave the best affect in atmosphere according to the qualities of each thing. That is why Saamveda mantra 3 says that burning fire is like messenger/ambassador which does work to carry the effect of all above things to the sky i.e., spreads. Everybody knows thatthings/matters are never destroyed but changes its shape only. There is also a misunderstanding that in a Yajyen/havan carbon dioxide gas is generated. Carbon dioxide is available in whole of universe. Its huge quantity is harmful only but when carbon dioxide comes out from havan, duly mixed with ghee and other things it becomes beneficial to all human beings. Secondly inthe mango tree, not much carbon dioxide comes out while burning. Scientists also say that carbon dioxide is taken by human beings in soda lemonade which becomes digestible. Therefore the holy Yajyen in addition is a scientific action which is beneficial to the whole universe. 

Dr. Kundanlal (M.D.) was an allopathic doctor, he took twelve test tubes made of glass duly purified scientifically , six sets of two test tubes each made and each set was filled with milk and food i.e., six were filled with milk and six werefilled with food. In six test tubes, there was air of Yajyen/havan. In other six test tubes there was only ordinary air of garden filled. Now Dr. Kundanlal started regular watch on each test tubes. He found the result that the food which was filled by ordinary air of garden started decaying and giving bad smell quickly whereas the food with air of Yajyen/havan started decaying slowly. This experiment was based while performing a single havan but a spiritual havan containing all things (minimum 21 herbs) will give the best result.

Therefore there are unlimited benefits of Yajyen which can not be explained in full being much lengthy. I have forgotten about an article I read in a leading newspaper of Indonesia about ten years back, in which it was mentioned that in a country, a jungle up to the area of 30 miles started getting dried up due to a disease in herbs and trees. The Govt. tried level best to nurse the jungles but all in vain. The country came to know from somewhere about Yajyen and not Yajyen buta simple havan without Ved mantras was started there and slowly, the whole jungle was recovered and became greens, duly free from disease. 

Yajyen in the night will contain only spiritual effect but the physical effect for causing rain and purification of atmosphere will be decreased as all the things used in Yajyen/havan will be unable to go to sky and even to sun in the absence of ray of light of sun as mentioned in above mantras.

The 10 principles of Arya Samaj

• God is the efficient cause of all true knowledge and all that is known through knowledge.
• God is existent, intelligent and blissful. He is formless, omniscient, just, merciful, unborn, endless, unchangeable, beginning-less, unequalled, the support of all, the master of all, omnipresent, immanent, un-aging, immortal, fearless, eternal and holy, and the maker of all. He alone is worthy of being worshiped.
• The Vedas are the scriptures of all true knowledge. It is the paramount duty of all Aryas to read them, teach them , recite them and to hear them being read.
• One should always be ready to accept truth and to renounce untruth.
• All acts should be performed in accordance with Dharma that is, after deliberating what is right and wrong.
• The prime object of the Arya Samaj is to do good to the world, that is, to promote physical, spiritual and social good of everyone.
• Our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice.
• We should dispel Avidya (ignorance) and promote Vidya (knowledge).
• No one should be content with promoting his/her good only; on the contrary, one should look for his/her good in promoting the good of all.
• One should regard oneself under restriction to follow the rules of society calculated to promote the well being of all, while in following the rules of individual welfare all should be free.

true

The founder of the Arya Samaj........

The founder of the Arya Samaj. The great sage who sought to restore to Hinduism its natural radiance and wisdom. A fearless reformer. He saved the man who poisoned him - so boundless was his goodness.
                                    

Dayananda Saraswathi

This happened about 150 years ago. Saurashtra of the present Gujarat State consisted of several small states. Among them was Morvi. Tankara was a town in this state. There lived a wealthy Brahmin, Karshanji Lalji Tiwari by name; he was also the tahsildar of Tankara. The ruler of Morvi had granted him a small troop of horses (cavalry) both for protection and as a mark of honour.
Karshanji was a good and just man. He was generous in his dealings. He had faith in religious practices that had come down from times immemorial. His wife,Amrithbai, was a beautiful and Virtuous woman. She was like a mother his go to all the villagers. In 1824, a son was born to the couple. They named' him Moolashankar.According to the custom of the place, he was also called Dayaram. This child was to become famous as Maharshi Dayananda.
When he attained the age of five, Moolashankar's education started. At the age of eight, his Upanayana Samskara (being invested with the holy thread) was performed. The boy used to perform religious rites like 'Sandhyavandana’ with devotion. He had a very good memory. By the time he was fourteen he had learnt by heart the Yajurveda, the scriptures and the upanishads.
Karshanji wished that his son should follow in his footsteps by becoming a devotee of Shiva. He, therefore, used to describe the greatness of Shiva every now and then. He would advise the boy to worship Lord Shiva and only then eat something on days of festivals.


Moolashankar had an uncle whom he loved very much. His uncle himself was a simple man of great learning with a religious bent of mind. He influenced the boy deeply. Moolashankar had a sharp intellect and an extraordinary memory and so his uncle thought some day his nephew would become a great man.

Dayananda Saraswati

Dayanand Saraswati born (12 February 1824 – 30 October 1883) was a Hindu religious leader who founded the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement of the Vedic tradition. He was a profound scholar of the Vedic lore and Sanskrit language. He was the first to give the call for Swarajya as "India for Indians" – in 1876, later taken up by Lokmanya Tilak.Denouncing the idolatry and ritualistic worship prevalent in Hinduism at the time, he worked towards reviving Vedic ideologies. Subsequently the philosopher and President of India, S. Radhakrishnan, called him one of the "makers of Modern India," as did Sri Aurobindo.

Those who were influenced by and followed Dayananda included Madam Cama, Pandit Lekh Ram, Swami Shradhanand,Pandit Guru Dutt Vidyarthi, Shyam Krishan Verma (who established India House in England for Freedom fighters)Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Lala Hardayal, Madan Lal Dhingra, Ram Prasad Bismil, Mahadev Govind RanadeSwami Shraddhanand, Mahatma Hansraj, Lala Lajpat Rai and others. One of his most influential works is the book Satyarth Prakash, which contributed to the Indian independence movement. He was a sanyasi (ascetic) from boyhood, and a scholar, who believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas.