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I learned the Devanagari script and couldn't help but notice the similarity of the Om symbol ॐ to the symbols of the Devanagari writing system, like अं (never mind that this is pronounced aṃ).

My teacher, maybe simply as pedagogical eccentricity, was eminent that the Om symbol ॐ had nothing to do with the Devanagari script. What exactly is the origin of the Om symbol and its connection with the Devanagari script, if any?

Earthliŋ
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    This question is not directly related to Hinduism. It is related to Sanskrit and Devanagri Transcript and method of writing. – Afzaal Ahmad Zeeshan Jun 18 '14 at 19:43
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    @AfzaalAhmadZeeshan I disagree. The nature of "om" is relevant to the practice of Hinduism. – senshin Jun 18 '14 at 19:45
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    Nature of om is. But its arrival in the wording isn't. He is talking about the Script here. Not the meaning! – Afzaal Ahmad Zeeshan Jun 18 '14 at 19:46
  • From the Hinduism entry on Wikipedia "The syllable om (which represents the Para Brahman) and the swastika sign (which symbolises auspiciousness) have grown to represent Hinduism itself". I chose to post this question here, because I believe that I can find the best answer to my question here on Hinduism.SE. – Earthliŋ Jun 18 '14 at 19:51
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    In Devanagari it is correctly written as ओं or ओ३म्. The universal representation is ॐ. Om or Aum is a combination of three sounds a (a-kāra), u (u-kāra), m (ma-kāra). A-kara means form or shape like earth, trees, or any other object. U-kāra means formless or shapeless like water, air or fire. Ma-kāra means neither shape nor shapeless (but still exists) like the dark energy content of the Universe – Prasanth Jun 18 '14 at 22:12
  • Another perspective of OM is given in Bhagavad Gita 7.8, where Krishna states "[I am] the syllable om in the Vedic mantras." The precise Sanskrit is praṇavaḥ sarva-vedeṣu – cheenbabes Jun 18 '14 at 22:36
  • @Prasanth, you should put that as an answer. Expect my upvote. – Vineet Menon Jun 19 '14 at 06:06
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    @VineetMenon I actually thought this was a perfect comment since it didn't answer my question but added interesting information to the post. – Earthliŋ Jun 19 '14 at 10:33
  • Look at this picture.. Then you will see.. http://truthlingo.co.uk/img/sequence-of-om-devanagari.jpg –  Aug 22 '15 at 21:01
  • OM is Vedic sound and it doesn't need any script. –  Sep 18 '17 at 15:43
  • Note that he tail following the 3 is found in South Indian languages (Kannada, maybe Telugu) and is not Devanagari. – user1952500 Sep 18 '17 at 16:04

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In Devanagari it is correctly written as ओं or ओ३म्. The universal representation is ॐ. Om or Aum is a combination of three sounds a (a-kāra), u (u-kāra), m (ma-kāra). A-kara means form or shape like earth, trees, or any other object. U-kāra means formless or shapeless like water, air or fire. Ma-kāra means neither shape nor shapeless (but still exists) like the dark energy content of the Universe

Prasanth
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    I'm afraid this doesn't answer my question. I know you initially left this as a comment and somebody suggested you post it as an answer, but in its current form I don't think this should be posted as an answer. (If you know the answer to my question, please edit it into your answer.) – Earthliŋ Jun 20 '14 at 14:28
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    ओ३म् such denotion is only advocated by Arya Samaj and definitely not a standard denotion. Also, it implies only a certain tonal way of pronouncing the mantra and does not represents the original word itself. – Love Bites Aug 06 '20 at 14:52
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Your teacher is incorrect. The symbol ॐ is indeed a Devanagari ligature of ओ + ँ. It's actually represented slightly differently in Tibetan, Siddham, Bengali, Jain scripts to name a few.

Shisa
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I post the pictures of pages referring to the link between OM and Devanagari script as described in the book 'Hidden Horizons'.

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Ak2817
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  • Can I get the PDF format of book for free online? –  Sep 18 '17 at 15:48
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    I am not sure whether it is available in online. I got this book at Akshardham temple, New Delhi. But you can search with it's ISBN no : 978-81-7526-331-4. Authors: Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) & Dr. Navaratna S. Rajaram – Ak2817 Sep 18 '17 at 16:11
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Om symbol in devanagari is aum of siddham script http://www.visiblemantra.org/om.html & in devanagari om was written as a separate & special alphabet or symbol as per skanda puran shiv raghav samvaad https://youtu.be/jwlB_GDEWvw and real omkar looks like this.enter image description here

Shivam Ner
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