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AUM in Vedic and Upanishadic Literature: A Comprehensive Analysis of its Essence and Meaning

Yatharth

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Volume 1, Issue 1,  Article Number: 251008 (2025) 

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Santoshi Kumari1,* | Jagwanti Deswal1

1School of Yoga, Nirwan University, Jaipur – 303305, Rajasthan (India)
*Corresponding Author: santoshikumari355@gmail.com

Received: 18 February 2025 | Revised: 18 March 2025

Accepted: 19 March 2025 | Published Online: 25 March 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15084743

© 2025 The Authors, under a Creative Commons license, Published by Scholarly Publication

Abstract

This research analyzes the AUM concept as it exists within Vedic literature. Through literature Vedic and philosophical texts of India commonly use the syllable AUM (OM) as a key hymn. Several Vedic literatures contains the concept of AUM which this study investigates. Sruti refers to one of several names for the Vedas as it means “heard” knowledge while Apauruseya signifies “not human” creation and Shastra functions as an instructional guide. Both Agama and Amnaya have identical meanings with Veda. The revelation nature of Veda earns it its title as the leading source of information. The Vedic knowledge exists in its original form after passing through generations because sages reportedly heard it during meditative states thus becoming known as Mantra seers. The wise men transmitted their learned knowledge by spoken word to upcoming generations after its acquisition. The Vedas have managed to surmount time because they were transmitted orally from one generation to the next. The study found that Aum functions as protective force for peace which offers liberation during death. Through Vedic rituals people worship the Aum because it symbolizes the Supreme Self and it is certain that honoring Aum means honoring the highest Self.

Keywords

AUM, Vedas, Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda

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Cite This Article

S. Kumari and J. Deswal, “AUM in Vedic and Upanishadic Literature: A Comprehensive Analysis of its Essence and Meaning,” Yatharth 1(1) (2025) 251008. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15084743

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