What Om signifies in the Katha Upanishad
Meet Om in Yama’s conversation with Nachiketas, where the sacred syllable points toward Brahman and gives the seeker a focus for contemplation.
STEP 1
Begin with Yama’s answer
In Part Second, sections XV-XVII, Yama names the spiritual goal praised by the Vedas as Aum, the spelling used here for Om. The following verses call it Brahman and a supreme support.
STEP 2
Understand what Brahman means here
Paramananda uses Brahman for the supreme spiritual reality. Read the verses with that meaning in mind: the sacred syllable points toward what the seeker hopes to know.
STEP 3
Keep fulfillment in its context
The verses speak of fulfilled desires. Paramananda’s commentary understands this as finding fulfillment in God. The focus is spiritual realization, rather than a method for obtaining a particular wish.
STEP 4
Try this reflection
Think of a word that brings someone dear to mind. You might then consider how a sacred word can help a devotee turn toward the divine. This is an analogy to explore as you read.
Om appears here within a conversation about the Self and the highest spiritual reality.