ॐ
English meaning: sacred primordial syllable
Definition
Oṃ is the supreme sacred syllable of Hindu and broader Indic tradition, regarded as the primordial sound and essence of the universe. It is uttered at the beginning of prayers, mantras, and recitations.
Example
“ॐ इत्येतद् अक्षरम् इदं सर्वम्।”
In English: “Oṃ, this syllable is all this.”
Another example: “ध्यानात् पूर्वं योगी ॐ इति उच्चारयति।”
Usage — When, Where & How
The most sacred syllable across all strata (Vedic to modern); intoned at the beginning and end of recitation, prayer, and meditation. An indeclinable; treated with reverence and often called praṇava. Used in both ritual and philosophical (Upaniṣadic) contexts.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
Traditionally analyzed as the sacred syllable composed of the phonemes a-u-m; also connected by grammarians with the root √av 'to protect, pervade'.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- ॐकार
- प्रणव
- ॐ नमः शिवाय
- ॐ शान्तिः
- ॐ तत्सत्
Word Forms
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Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“मन्दः कवियशः प्रार्थी गमिष्याम्युपहास्यताम्। प्रांशुलभ्ये फले लोभादुद्बाहुरिव वामनः।।”
/Mandah kaviyashah prarthhi gamishyamyupahasytam. Pramshu-labhe phale lobhadud-bahur iva vamanah./
“Feeble-minded yet aspiring to a poet's fame, I go to be ridiculed — like a dwarf reaching for high fruit.”
“रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः साधुः सत्यपराक्रमः”
/Ramo vigrahavan dharmah sadhuh satya-parakramah/
“Rama is righteousness incarnate — virtuous and true in valour.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- संस्कृतम्
- Sanskrit
- Script
- Devanagari
- Family
- Indo-Aryan
- Speakers
- 5M