AUM: The Universal Sound
Sunday, April 30th, 2006This is what we hear about AUM:
The past, the present and the future are AUM,
And That beyond these three is also AUM.
(Mandukya Upanishad)
AUM is the most popular and universally recognised Hindu symbol and also the most popular word in Hindu chants and prayers.
It is the Divine Word and the originating sound of the universe. It was through meditation that the seers and sages of Vedic times arrived at the idea of a universal sound, eternally resounding in the universe, which they saw as the very origin of the created world.
There is a depth of philosophical meaning in AUM and reciting it correctly has a profound effect on the mind and body.
Pankuj Parashar’s, ‘Banaras - A Mystic Love Story’ explores several themes in contemporary Hindu life, knit together into an entertaining plot.The story is of two young Hindus Shwetambhari (Urmilla Matondkar) and Soham (Ashmit Patel), both born in Varanasi (Banaras), the holy city of Hindus. Shwetambhari is the only daughter of rich Brahmin parents (Dimple Kapadia and Raj Babbar) and studies physics at the local university. She is young, bright and admired by all.
On 4th May 2006 local elections are to be held for 176 local authorities across England (including the 32 London Boroughs) each of which is divided into several wards.
Water from the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Saryu and Gomati rivers will be brought to Thailand later this week as part of national celebrations to mark the anniversary of the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulvadej. The Thai King is the world’s longest ruling monarch, and this year will mark the 60th anniversary of his coronation.According to religious affairs department Director-General Preecha Kantiya, a priest from the Thai royal household bureau will travel to India on April 21 to collect the holy water from Hindu priests, the official said.