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Jain Significance of Om

 

I. The following is the summary as given in Jainendra Siddhanta Kosa (vol I pp. 469-470)

1. It represents Pancha Parameshthi

This is a single – letter word formed by the synthesis of first five letters of Pancha Parameshthi viz. Arihanta, Asarira, Ayariya (all the three As give the letter Aa)

Uvajjhaya (A+U=O)
Muni (O+M=OM)

The references referring to this interpretations are a) Dravya Sangraha sutra 49 b) Tirukkalambakam (Tamil) stanza No. 41)

2. It represents Divyadvani=Bharati
3. It is pranav mantra used as the point focus in meditation by great yogis.

Omkaram bindhu samyuktam nityam dhyayantu yoginaha|
Kamatam mokshatam chaiva Omkaraya namo namaha||

Meaning: The great yogis focus this letter in their meditation day after day. Our obeisance to Omkar to bestow us both comforts of our choice and salvation.

4. Dhavala agam links to destruction of Gyanavaran karma. (I fail to understand the real meaning).

II. The following is taken out from South Indian Palm leaf source:
1. It represents Brahma

Brahma means Paramatma = shuddha chaitanya svarupam. Brahma can be visualized by three ways a) Devamayam b) tattva mayam and c) tapomayam

2. It represents the sum total of five special names given to Tirthankar at the times of five Kalyans viz. respectively Satyojata, Vamadev, Aghora, Isana and Purusha.

Comments: No wonder, Om is adored and invoked by all Hindus, Buddhists and jains alike in all Pujas and mantras.

 

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Article Courtesy : Mr. C. Devkumar, E-Mail : cdevakumar@yahoo.com

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