‘Soham’ is an integral part of Vedic Philosophy.. It is the Sanskrit word for “I am He/That”. There is a line of thinking that believes that when a child comes in the universe he cries by making a sound ‘Koham’ to which the universe replies back ‘Soham’. The universe tells him that ‘you are the same as I am’.

Soham: Different Perspectives & Meanings

It is a mystical word that is not easy to understand. It is something that needs to be experienced rather than understood. There are different connotations that are attached to the word, let us look at some of them. For some Soham is mantra while others take Soham form of meditation while for others it is a different concept. Still the underlying meaning is the same, irrespective of the manner in which it is perceived.

Meaning 1: I am He

Soham is a Sanskrit word formed by a combination of two words – ‘Sah’ meaning ‘He‘ and ‘Aham‘ meaning ‘I’ and when the rules of grammar are used for combining the words we get a powerful word ‘Soham’.

What does ‘Soham‘ mean?

As mentioned above it is an answer to a child’s question. Every time a child asks – Koham the universe answers Soham which means ‘He I (am) ‘ or ‘I am you are the same as I am’. Who is He? He is the greatest force. This greatest force controls everything. Applying this understanding the individual self becomes one with the universal self.

Does this melt the concept of duality?

Well yes, if the above connotation is taken the concept of duality stands melted, we are God, our real self is God. The true individual self is not different from  the universal self.

• Meaning 2: Soham Breath

Our breath is the base of our life and Soham  breath is the most natural breath. Carefully observe, that a breath has two parts, with every inhalation the sound that resonates in the ears is ‘Soooo’ and with every exhalation it is the sound of ‘ham’ that resonates in the ears. It is something so natural that we tend to take it for granted or rather are oblivious of these sounds.

Is the reverse ‘Hamsa’ equally good?

In Sanskrit the word ‘Hamsa’ represents a white swan that represents the individual self.  There can be chances that you have come across masters who practice the reverse of Soham, meaning the sound of ‘Sooooo’ during exhalation and ‘ham’ during an inhalation. Both the breaths are valid.

Once again it is reminder of nonduality for the reverse also means ‘I am He’ and that I am no different from my God. Every time youconcentrate on your breath,  you concentrate on this oneness. It is a powerful technique, for it helps you concentrate on the universal self. It is important to focus on the ‘soham’ or ‘hamsa’ breath under the guidance of an expert.

• Meaning 3: Soham Mantra

Soham is also a mantra, it is the mantra that comes automatically to us. It is a mantra that you chant but do not chant!! This is known as ‘Ajapa Japa’All it requires is concentrating on the breath and you are able to chant. Hence Soham meditation is also another aspect of this word.

•  Meaning 4: Shiv Shakti

As it is clear from the above discussion, Soham is formed by a combination of two words ‘Sah’ and ‘Aham’. As per the tantric perspective, it represents the power of Shiv and Shakti. As inhalation and exhalation form a breath, Shiv and Shakti form the universal power. While ‘Sah’ represents the almighty shiv, ‘Aham’ is the ‘I’, awareness of self, power of Shiv that is Parvati or Shakti.

The process of merging

It would not be wrong to call ‘Soham’ as the process of merging. It is our ignorance that we start considering ourselves different from the universal self but when we concentrate on ‘Soham’ we become one with the universal self. Irrespective of the connotation that one may apply, it allows merging with the almighty. 

True Understanding

When I read the above thoughts, I was surprised but the more I thought about it the more relaxed my mind became and for no reason at all there was a slight smile on my face.

Irrespective of the connotation one may accept, the thoughts that make me happy suggest that the universal powers tried to quiet me when I was born and tell me that I am a part of them!

Moreover, never has that power left me even for a single minute. Even when I go to sleep this power is with me.

Euphoria seems to be setting in that tells me that I am nestled safely in the embrace of the Almighty, I am under His glance and every breath is a reminder of this truth. He holds my hand firm and strong from the very first day.

As mentioned above Soham is a mantra or a mystical word and its impact can only be experienced. It is a practice, a realization of the true self. It represents the highest knowledge that the mystics work so hard to achieve.

Meetu Verma Nayyar

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