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the chanting of holy mantras, i.e., religious formulas, or texts, of which the monosyllabic aum or om, is the most potent, since it is indicative of the five orders of spiritually evolved beings, arhats (perfect beings), asariras (liberated souls), âcharyas (spiritual guides), upadhyayas (religious preceptors) and munis (holy men).
According to Hinduism, om is the most appropriate name of the Deity. He is called OM, because he pervades all, because he protects all and because the three letters, a, u, and m, of which the word is composed, denote supremely excellent, supremely high, and supremely wise; for 'a' indicates bliss or ânanda, au' signifies power, or aujas, and ' ma' means supporter or protector. Thus, Om has a triple significance, and denotes the three-fold attributes of Brahman. Firstly, he is all-pervading, allprotecting and all-knowing; secondly, he is supremely, excellently high and wise; and thirdly, he is blissful, almighty and all-supporting. From its perfect applicability, and definite and comprehensive character, the word 'Om' is said to be the most emblematic name of the Supreme Being.
THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
Now, since chanting is merely a means to an end, and is resorted to with the sole object of establishing the human mind in divine, godly vibrations, by virtue of the holy ideas of virtue and goodness of God, which the word chanted conveys, it follows that the term which contains the most exhaustive enumeration of the divine powers and attributes would form the best means of
* See the 'Jaina Philosophy,' by V. R. Gandhi, pp. 85-86, See, the Sacred Books of the Hindus, Vol. III, part 1.
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