ओङ्कार
English meaning: the syllable Om
Definition
The sacred syllable Om, regarded as the primordial sound and the sonic emblem of the supreme. It is chanted to focus the mind in meditation.
Example
“ध्यानारम्भे ओङ्कारम् उच्चारयति।”
In English: “At the start of meditation he intones the syllable Om.”
Another example: “ध्यानारम्भे योगी ओङ्कारं मन्दं मन्दम् उच्चारयति।”
Usage — When, Where & How
A sacred/spiritual term for the syllable Om, central across Vedic, Upaniṣadic and tantric registers; used in ritual, mantra-recitation and meditation. Highly honorific; pronounced at the start of recitations.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From the sacred syllable oṃ + kāra ('the act of making/the sound', from √kṛ 'to make'). Literally 'the making/utterance of Om', the primordial sound.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- ओङ्कारध्यान
- ओङ्कारजप
- ओङ्कारनाद
- प्रणवोङ्कार
Word Forms
m., a-stem; nom. ओङ्कारः, acc. ओङ्कारम्, instr. ओङ्कारेण, loc. ओङ्कारे
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