The OM Mala is a book (and a mala or a rosary) about just one word—OM. OM is one of the shortest Sanskrit words, and yet is perhaps the most powerful one, besides being a globally recognized mystic mantra.
The OM Mala gives 84 names of OM from Sanskrit texts and explains their meanings in 109 sections or beads: 108 chanting beads and one ‘sumeru’ bead. Each bead offers the meaning(s), explanation, traditions, etymology, and quotations for one or more names of OM. The book covers rare names of OM like ‘shrutipada’ and ‘rasa’ as well as common names like ‘om’, ‘udgitha’, and ‘pranava’. Popular meanings (like Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva) and rare meanings (like inhalation, holding the breath, and exhalation) are included.
The book contains teachings and narratives related to OM from Veda-s, Upanishad-s, Smriti-s, Purana-s, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, Yoga, Tantra, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism. Pearls on OM from poems, plays, and works on music and Ayurveda are presented. The use of OM in Yogic breathing and meditation is explained and the explanations/relevance of OM in Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism is briefly touched upon.
The OM Mala is a mini-encyclopaedia on OM and associated concepts in Indian religions and culture.
About the Author :
Nityanand Misra, an IIM Bangalore graduate, is a finance professional from the investment banking industry. At work, he specialises in quantitative finance and algorithmic trading. In life, Misra is a multifaceted personality – a polyglot, grammarian, littérateur, instrumentalist, musicologist, researcher, editor, author, and book designer. Misra is passionate about Indian culture, especially about classical and medieval literature, classical and folk music, and about India’s traditional fine arts and performing arts. A disciple of Swami Ramabhadracharya, Misra is a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindi. His research and writings are primarily on Hindu religion, Hindu scriptures (Vedas, Puranas, and Itihasas), and Hindu philosophy.
Misra has edited, annotated, translated, and authored nine books in Sanskrit, Hindi and English. He has designed and typeset all his books himself. He frequently writes short articles and sometimes book reviews. His work has earned praise and goodwill from many dignitaries, including Dr. Karan Singh (Rajya Sabha Member), Ch Vidyasagar Rao (Governor of Maharashtra), Anup Jalota (well-known singer), Ramanathan Krishnan (former tennis player), and Kala Nath Shastry (renowned Sanskrit scholar).
Misra lives in Mumbai with his family. His twitter handle is @MisraNityanand.
