________________
THE MANTRA OM WORD AND WISDOM. 65
the thought, out of which the universe has become manifested. To this objection we reply that this Om is the only possible symbol which covers the whole ground of all possible ideas and there is none other like it. The sphota is the material of all ideas, and not any definite idea in its fully formed state. That is to say, if all the peculiarities which distinguish one idea from another be removed, then what remains will be the sphota. Now, as every sound-symbol, intended to express this inexpressible sphota will so particularize it that it will no longer be the sphota, that sound-symbol which particularizes it the least and at the same time most approximately expresses its nature, will be the truest symbol for it and this is the Om, and the Om only. The three letters A, U, M, (++) pronounced in combination as Om, may well be the generalised symbol of all possible sounds. Let us see how it can be so. The letter A is the
5
