पातञ्जल योगसूत्र (स्वामी विवेकानन्द भाष्य एवं सूत्र व्याख्या)

Patanjali Yoga Sutras
these words need not necessarily have the same sound.
Sounds will vary in different nations. Our commentator says
“Although the relation between thought and word is perfectly
natural, yet it does not mean a rigid connection between one
sound and one idea.” These sounds vary, yet the relation
between the sounds and the thoughts is a natural one. The
connection between thoughts and sounds is good only if there
be a real connection between the thing signified and the
symbol, and until then that symbol will never come into
general use. Symbol is the manifestor of the thing signified,
and if the thing signified has already existence, and if, by
experience, we know that the symbol has expressed that thing
many times, then we are sure that there is the real relation
between them. Even if the things are not present, there will be
thousands who will know them by their symbols. There must
be a natural connection between the symbol and the thing
signified; then, when that symbol is pronounced, it recalled
the thing signified. The commentator says the manifesting
word of God is Om. Why does he emphasise this? There are
hundreds of words for God. One thought is connected with a
thousand words; the idea, God, is connected with hundreds of
words, and each one stands as a symbol for God. Very good.
But there must be a generalisation among all these words,
some substratum, some common ground of all these symbols,
and that symbol which is the common symbol will be the best,
and will really be the symbol of all. In making a sound we use
the larynx, and the palate as a sounding board. Is there any
material sound of which all other sounds must be
manifestations, one which is the most natural sound? Om
(Aum) is such a sound, the basis of all sounds. The first letter,
A, is the root sound, the key, pronounced without touching
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