3 Guidelines for Chanting AUM

BY Indu Aroa2 min read • May 21, 2025

Is there a right way to chant AUM? Is it OM or AUM or Om or oM?

AUM is the most used mantra in Yoga classes all over the world. Be it in the beginning of a Yoga asana class or ending of meditation, you must have recited or instructed it three times. But why three times? Why at the beginning or the end? Is there a right way to chant AUM? Is it OM or AUM or Om or oM?

Have these questions made you curious or sometimes even left you confused?

Fun Fact: All Vedic mantras must begin with AUM for efficacy. 

Are there some rules for chanting AUM? The answer is yes! The texts does give us guidelines on the recitation of this potent mantra, sound, and symbol.

Here are three ground rules for AUM recitation:

1. No. of Rounds: AUM is recited three times to invoke its presence in all three divisions of time (past, present, future), in all three realms of existence (Earth, astral, space in between), in all three bodies of an individual (physical, subtle, causal) , and to remove three kinds of sufferings (karmic, elemental, born out of ignorance). Read more.
2. Beginning or End: You may recite AUM any time of the day and at the beginning or end of a practice session. However, if there is a time when it is suggested in the texts, it is either early hours of the morning known as Brahma Muhurta (lasts for 48 minutes, and begins 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise) or at the transitions times of the day (dawn, dusk, midday, midnight). These times are considered as the portal to the space beyond space and time beyond time. Recite with me or simply listen here.
3. Right way to Chant: There are several ways to recite AUM based on which sound or syllable one wishes to focus upon making it AKaara (with focus on A), Ukaara (focus on U), Mkaara (with focus on M). Another way to consider recitation of AUM is to extend the 'mmm' like sound of humming of bees (known as Udgeeta Pranayama) or like a continuous stream of oil (taila dhara-vat).

Fun Fact: Aum means 'yes' or 'is' or 'I agree