That is whole; this is whole; From that whole this whole came; From that whole, this whole removed, What still remains is whole.

Tough Adi Shankarachrya wrote the annotations on Vishnu Sahasranamam first; in fact he wanted to write annotations on Lalita Sahasranamam (Goddess Shakti) before Vishnu Sahasranamam. There is an interesting story behind it.

Shankarachrya one day decided to write interpretations/annotations on Lalita Sahasranamam. He asked one of his disciples to bring palm-leaf manuscripts of Lalita Sahasranamam. The disciple went to the room where it was kept and returned with the manuscript. When Shankarachrya opened the manuscript, he found that it was Vishnu Sahasranamam. He again asked the disciple to go back and bring Lalita Sahasranamam. When the disciple returned, Shankarachrya found that it was again Vishnu Sahasranamam. The third time, again Sankaracharya instructed the disciple to bring Lalita Sahasranamam only; and even the third time the disciple returned with Vishnu Sahasranamam.

A little annoyed, Shankaracharya asked the disciple “Didn’t you understand properly, I told you to bring Lalita Sahasranamam.” The disciple replied “Revered Sir, all the three times I went to bring Lalita Sahasranamam only but there is a cute little girl in there who told me to take Vishnu Sahasranamam every time and I followed her instructions she is divine.” Shankarachrya at that time understood that Goddess Shakti (Amba) wanted him to write commentaries on Vishnu Sahasranamam and he completed the divine task; as Lord Vishnu is seen as the preserver of all that is – the Universe. He is described as the omnipresent, essence of all beings, the master of past, present, and beyond future.

Instantaneously, Adi Shankarachrya wrote “Om Poornamadah;” madah means completeness, totality and also Infinity. It is an abstract concept of Universe and the ultimate truth, “Brahman” means God, Almighty is a complete entity. This mantra has a superb meaning – you can take as much as you want from the Universe, you can even take infinity from it, even if you do that nothing can diminish it, it remains unlimited and immensurable!! It means we (each one of us) are connected to the Almighty. Each of us is element of the infinite constituting the infinity. When the eternity is so full, so complete how can one feel incomplete? The fullness here symbolizes accomplishment, realization, integrality, wholeness of our being. These words express the deep aspirations of the human heart, aspirations which cannot be long suppressed. Every bit of our existence, every heart beat, every pulse, each breath of ours is towards life’s fulfillment. Whoever you are, or whatever is it that you do, when you really want something, your desire is originated in the soul of the universe. Therefore, when you want something from the bottom of your heart, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. So don’t feel you are unaccompanied or unaided in your effort; have a keen/urging desire while continue your hard work to achieve it and see the change. There is no sorrow once we realize we are ever full, we are Bliss.

It can also be construed as – if you give, you will never fall short of things in life. We, the human are so scared to give/impart thinking that we will fall short after giving. In fact the more we give the more we receive, because the infinite wants us to be inclusive with completeness. The energy you put out will always re-circulate and find its perfect way back to you. Have Trust in Life. The essence of this Shanti (serenity) mantra is indeed profound. OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI!!!

When you repeat Aum, please observe what actually happens within you. It is the symbol of the Creator, it is said to be the life-breath of the Creator; keep chanting and you immediately get an inner feeling, the feeling that enthuses your inner and outer movements to enlarge your vision. It erases the stress, ill feelings, and worries from mind and relaxes mind and body. This is the secret of Aum. Keep chanting Aum and all your desires will be fulfilled; everything will be yours, because it connects you with the Universal Energy.

Swami Paramahansa Yogananda called it “the vibration of the Cosmic Motor.” The great father of yoga, Patanjali, advised using it to triumph over the obstacles and distractions in life, it helps to remove all those obstacles in the path of enlightenment. The great Yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar has devoted nearly two pages in his book, ‘Light of Yoga’, to the range of meanings of aum. Aum became the sacred word hum of the Tibetans, amin of the Muslims and amen of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Christians. Amen in Hebrew means “sure.”

Swami Yogananda noted that everything in the universe is self-possessed of energy and that the evident differentiation between solids, liquids, gases, sound, and light is merely a difference in their vibratory rates. He maintained that by chanting the aum, the divine vibration, we can increase the body’s supply of cosmic energy and even direct it as a healing force to any part of the body, mind, and soul.

It is so simple:  try chanting aum in your daily meditation and let the incredible power of sound and vibration work for you. Aum will bring your wavering mind to a single focus. The sound Aum is a great way to feel divine.

Aum actually consists of four syllables: A, U, M, and the silent syllable. The first syllable is A, pronounced as a protracted or prolonged “awe.” The sound starts at the back of your throat and you need to stretch it out. While sounding the ‘awe’ you will start feeling vibration inside your solar plexus and chest. The second syllable is U, pronounced as a prolonged “oo,” with the sound steadily progressing forward along your upper palate. You will feel your throat vibrating. The third syllable is M, pronounced as a prolonged “mmmm” with your front teeth gently touching. You will now start to feel the crown vibrate. The last syllable is the deep silence of the Infinite. Intelligence rises from the deep silence; you need to merge your chant from the ‘M’ with the deep silence.

The three letters A, U and M symbolize the divine energy i.e Shakti and its 3 main characteristics are construction, conservation and liberation. By chanting it we are symbolically and physically tuning in to that sound and acknowledging our connection to all other living beings, nature and the universe.