ॐ is called Pranava.

Why is Omkara called Pranava?

Shiva Purana talks about three reasons.

1.प्रो हि प्रकृतिजातस्य संसारस्य महोदधेः।

नवं नावान्तरमिति प्रणवं वै विदुर्बुधाः॥

प्र - ण - वः

The ण is in fact न.

प्र-न-वः

What the three letters stand for is explained in the above shloka.

प्र - stands for prakriti, the world which is like a very difficult ocean to cross.

But Pranava has come as a new boat for this - नवं नावान्तरम्.

This boat called Pranava can take you across that ocean.

It is one of the boats, not the only one - नावान्तरम्

Of course, Panchakshara Mantra will also do that.

Our wise ancestors knew this - विदुर्बुधाः.

2.प्र प्रपञ्चो न नास्ति वो युष्माकं प्रणवं विदुः।

प्र stands for prapancha, the world.

न means No.

If you chant Pranava, the compulsions of the world do not affect you, the world will not limit you anymore.

You can go beyond the world.

3.प्रकर्षेण नयेद्यस्मान्मोक्षं वः प्रणवं विदुः।

प्रकर्षेण नयेत् वः

Pranava leads you towards moksha, in a great way, in a powerful way.

Benefits of chanting Pranava

स्वमन्त्रजापकानां च पूजकानां च योगिनाम्।

सर्वकर्मक्षयं कृत्वा दिव्यज्ञानं तु नूतनम्।।

तमेव मायारहितं नूतनं परिचक्षते।

प्रकर्षेण महात्मानं नवं शुद्धस्वरूपम्।

नूतनं वै करोतीति प्रणवं तं विदुर्बुधाः।।

Past karma goes away.

The hindrance in getting real knowledge is your own past karma.

When past karma no longer affects you, knowledge comes.

By chanting Pranava, you can achieve Shiva.

How is this possible?

To achieve Shiva, you have to become absolutely pure (fresh - नवं / नूतनं).

Chanting Pranava makes you absolutely pure, fresh.

Knowledge Bank

Why Kubera was cursed by sage Agastya?

Kubera was going to Kushavati through the sky with his attendant, Maniman, for a chanting of mantras organized by the Devas. On the way, Maniman spat on Agastya’s head while he was meditating by the Kalindi River. Angry, Agastya cursed them. He said that Maniman and Kubera’s army would be killed by a man. Kubera would grieve over their deaths but would be freed from the curse after seeing the man who killed them. Later, Bhimasena went to Mount Gandhamadana to find the Saugandhika flower. There, he killed Maniman and the soldiers. After this, Bhima met Kubera, and Kubera was freed from the curse.

Can Hanuman Chalisa not be recited in the morning?

Generally, people and many sages suggest that 'the chanting of Lord Hanuman's name and the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa should not be done before 3 hrs 45 mins after sunrise.' Is this true? Some people say that Hanuman Ji stays awake at night, so in the morning, he is 'asleep' or busy serving Lord Rama; hence, the time before 3 hrs 45 mins after sunrise is prohibited. But there is no evidence for this. It also does not seem correct that Yogiraj, the foremost among the wise, Lord Hanuman, remains asleep for such a time in the morning or that his divine body and power are so limited that he cannot serve his devotees in other forms while being busy serving Lord Rama in one form. Wherever there is chanting of Lord Rama’s name with love and the recitation of the Ramayana, Lord Hanuman is always present, whether it is morning or any other time. If we accept this argument, we will have to refrain from chanting God’s name until 3 hrs 45 mins after sunrise for the sake of Lord Hanuman’s rest.Therefore, devotees should never refrain from chanting Lord Hanuman's name or reciting the Hanuman Chalisa at any time. Morning time is excellent for worship. Lord Hanuman is always and at all times worthy of veneration. The doha of Sunderkand (Prata naam jo leyi hamara) was spoken by Hanuman Ji. When Hanuman Ji goes to Lanka and meets Vibhishana, Vibhishana says that he is a demon. Vibhishana considers his body to be lowly and himself to be unfortunate. Hanuman feels that Vibhishana has developed an inferiority complex due to his demonic form. To console Vibhishana, Hanuman Ji says that even he (Hanuman Ji) is not noble and if someone takes his name in the morning (he being a monkey), they will not get food for the entire day. Note that Hanuman Ji said this only to console Vibhishana. In reality, there is no truth to the notion that seeing Hanuman would prevent anyone from getting food. Hanuman Ji is our protector from troubles.