Once in the ancient times there was a sage named Vamadeva. He was well versed in the Vedas, Puranas and other scriptures since his childhood. He was a great devotee of Lord Kartikeya. One day he requested Lord Kartikeya to explain the meaning of ‘Om’.
Skanda Kartikeya said ‘Lord Shiva Himself is Pranav or Om. All the five faces of Lord Shiva are ordained by it. The ‘Pranav’ alone is the Presiding Principle of the Sky and is Omnipotent. The four diverse forms of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Rudra are offshoots of ‘Om’ or ‘Pranav’.’
Kartikeya continued saying, ‘The entire Universe dwells in ‘Om’ – the Supreme Consciousness. ‘Om’ itself gets manifested in the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh in order to create, preserve and destroy. ‘Om’ is the doer, the deed and the cause and Shiva Himself.’
Kartikeya then said, ‘Just as our face is not seen in a dirty mirror, similarly a mind full of ignorance cannot have the vision of his own splendour ‘Pranav itself.’
Vamadeva was immensely happy and grateful to have understood the meaning of ‘Om’. He bowed with folded hands and thanked Lord Kartikeya.
