A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

Aughara 32
Aughara
A branch of the Näflhapanthis, the followers
of GORAKHNÄfiHA, a section of
yogis, followers of ŸIVA.
AUM
Also written OM, called the präæava,
the mystical syllable containing the universe.
It is explained as consisting of the
first (a) and last (u) vowel and the last
consonant (m) of the Sanskrit alphabet
and therefore encompassing all words
(which consist of vowels and consonants).
The MÄŒ¥UKYA UPANIÆAD identifies
it with the four stages of consciousness
(a = waking consciousness;
u = dream consciousness; m = deep
sleep; aum = fourth state). AUM/OM is
used to introduce and conclude a religious
work, an act of worship, an
important task. It is supposed to be auspicious
and its prolonged intonation is
associated with the creative sound
through which the universe came into
existence.
Aurobindo Ghose
(1872–1950)
After receiving a completely Western,
classical education in England (1879–92)
and preparing for a career in the Indian
Civil Service, Aurobindo Ghose returned
to India with strong sympathies for the
Indian nationalist movement. While
serving in various official capacities, he
wrote and spoke for Indian independence.
Arrested in connection with the
Alipore Bomb case, he spent a year in
jail where he heard Kr•æa exhorting him
to devote his life for the spiritual upliftment
of India and the world. Fleeing to
the French colony of Pondicherry after
his release he devoted his life to YOGA
and to writing spiritual literature. His
ashram under the leadership of ‘The
Mother’ (Mirra Alfasa, who had joined
the ashram in the early 1920s), soon
attracted people from India and abroad.
Aurobindo’s attempt to work out an
‘Integral Yoga’ which combines traditional
Hindu spirituality with engagement
in the world and modern ideas
excited great interest among intellectuals
and artists. Aurobindo never left
Pondicherry and hardly ever left his
room, spending an increasing amount
of time in meditation. His work was
continued by ‘The Mother’ and his
numerous associates who planned to
develop Auroville into a model city for
the modern world, combining intellectual
and literary work with crafts and
practical engagement.
Aurobindo was convinced that the
whole universe was the manifestation of
consciousness in a process of evolution
from matter through mind to supermind
and that it was the task of humans
to facilitate this evolution by dedicating
themselves to the highest ideals.
auspicious (ÿubha)
A very important concept for Hindus,
who tend to distinguish almost everything
along the lines auspicious/inauspicious.
Symbols such as AUM and ŸRÏ are
auspicious; they appear on first pages of
books and ledgers, on buildings and
cars. There are auspicious and inauspicious
times during each day, week,
month and year which one has to know.
There are auspicious and inauspicious
sights and sounds. Various methods
exist to protect oneself and one’s loved
ones from inauspicious events.