The syllable 'om' and its method of chanting

It is said that Isvara of the above defined nature is denoted by pranava or 'om'. Moreover, Vivaranakara gives different etymological explanations to pranava. They are- 1) that by which (God) is praised perfectly 2) that which praises God 3) God is worshiped by his devotees through this word 4) God is bowed down to, by uttering this word 5) through this word they meditate upon God in their minds. At the concluding portion of Vyasa-bhashya, the text ends 189 with the syllable om. Vivaranakara explains the purpose of the use of syllable om as, to denote auspiciousness. The name of 196

Paramesvara has been marked in the forehead of the syllable om with the aim of gaining knowledge or for the sake of peace like in the Aranyakas of the Veda. 190 Yogasutra of Patanjali has given special importance to chanting of 'om' to those who wish to worship God. Vivaranakara has given a detailed description for the practice of chanting. It is said that the repetition (japa) should be either mental or in a low voice. Among the two types of japa, the mental chanting is considered as important, as it is closer to meditation. 191 Om consists of four and a half syllables (ardhcaturmatra) or three syllables (trimatra). The mere repetition will not give the result, but one has to meditate upon the idea behind the sacred syllable i.e., isvara. 192 Vivaranakara also points out that, the yogin who does both these practices achieves one-pointedness (ekagrata) of mind. Due to the practice of isvarapranidhana the obstacles disappear (antarayabhava) and a direct perception of the inner self (pratyakcetanadhigama) occurs.