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Etymology of the word Om
(the study of the origin and history of the words and their meanings)
Om is denominated a word in the veda and other sacred scriptures and explained
as a noun also in the Nirukta and other lexicons. Sphota vada, Philosophy
of the word is the history of the syllable Om.
The
most powerful and significant, single syllabled incantation called the
Pranava. The perceptible universe is the form behind which stands the
eternal inexpressible the Sphota manifested as the Logos or Word. In the
beginning was prajapati the Brahman, with whom was the word and the word
was verily the Brahman. This can be compared to these verses in the Bible,
John 1;1:- In the beginning was the Word.
.the Word was with God and the Word was God.
Om is derived in the Koshas from the root ‘aba’ or ‘ava’ to protect or
save. This gives us the nominal forms of aba,abu,abuka meaning the Father
or preserver in the prakrit speech of Sanskrit dramas and these are found
to agree in both respects of sound and sense with the words ab, aba, abuka
in Hebrew, Chaldee,Syriac and Arabic languages. This gives us the original
meaning of ‘ab’ of which ‘Om’ is a derivative form and show the close
affinity which the Aryan root bears to the Semitic both in its sound and
signification of ‘Father’ applied to the Great God. But our question being
Om and not the root ab, we ought to know what part
of speech it belongs and what sense we are to give of it here.
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