om

Om, also written Aum, is a sacred syllable, mantra, and symbol in Indian religious and philosophical traditions. Regarded as the primal sound of the cosmos, it is often described as the "sound of Brahman" or the source of all creation. The syllable is typically transliterated as om or aum, and is pronounced with three phonetic components: A, U, and M, which are said to correspond to the waking, dreaming, and deep-sleep states of consciousness, with a fourth, turiya, representing a transcendent awareness. The written symbol ॐ is widely used in temples, jewelry, and art.

In Hinduism, Om is central to many practices and texts. It is invoked at the beginning and end of prayers and mantras and is considered the essence of the Vedas and Upanishads. The Mandukya Upanishad is the primary text devoted to Om, discussing its fourfold nature and its role as a representation of ultimate reality.

In Buddhism, Om appears in various mantras and is often used as a seed syllable in Vajrayana practice. It is famously heard in the mantra Om mani padme hum, where Om begins the phrase in many recitations.

In Jainism, Om appears in some devotional and ritual contexts, though its significance varies among sects and is not as central as in Hindu traditions.

Across traditions, Om is used in meditation and yoga as a unifying sound that practitioners believe aligns body and mind with a universal vibration. The symbol and syllable have also become common in modern culture, appearing in art, jewelry, and popular meditation music.