As a researcher of Upanishads, the theory of Brahman (The Absolute) and various approaches to realize it, have always fascinated me. There is no better author philosopher than Gorakh Nath, who simplifies Upanishadic essence for commoners in ‘easy to understand’ language.

In the Gyan Chalisa of Gorakh Nath, the very first verse delves with the word form of ॐ and beyond as the representation of The Absolute.

ॐ, the Pranav Mantra, is everything. It is the ultimate being which is expressed through the word. ‘Pranav’ in Sanskrit means to express that loudly which is already there. Amplify something which already exists in the seed form.

In one’s spiritual journey, the goal is to reach and experience the ultimate Truth, The Absolute. The goal is to reach the Supreme Being, experience the union with the Supreme Being by shading away the duality. This ultimate being which is the eternal sound of ॐ, for easier understanding is expressed with the word ‘AUM’. Hence this ॐ is everything!

Gorakh Nath says, this word itself is the lock and it the key too. When the word is not interpreted well, or the meaning behind it not understood and experienced fully, then it is a mere ‘set of letters’. This ‘ignorance’ to treat ॐ as a set of letters and not understanding it as the representation of the eternal sound ‘locks’ the treasure of knowledge. So the ignorance about ॐ is like lock.

When the seeker understands the meaning of ॐ, through sadhana, then ‘the whole new world’ of realization opens for him / her. Practicing of Pranav Mantra during various sadhana options like Japa, Pranayam, Dhyan, etc takes the sadhak on the path of realization. Such persistent, focused sadhana ultimately opens the lock of ignorance and the seeker experiences the Ultimate Truth!