Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.215

c16.215

Method of approaching God. God or *Iśvara* is indicated by the Mystic Syllable known as *Praṇava* or *Omkāra* which is to be taken as His symbol. The Yogī should repeat the syllable and reflect upon its meaning (*Tajjapastadarthabhāvanam*), i.e. should practise *svādhyāya* or study of Veda (of which the *Praṇava* is the root) and *yoga* or concentration on its import which is God Himself. As the *Chhāndogya Upanishad* states: "*Om iti aksharaṁ udgīthamūpāsīti*—the letter *Om* is to be uttered and worshipped."