Essence of Chandogya Upanishad: Part-1A

Introduction to the “Chandogya Upanishad”

The Chandogya Upanishad is part of the Chandogya Brahmana of the Sama Veda, one of the largest and most important Upanishads. It consists of eight chapters (Prapathakas) containing numerous verses, including stories that serve as themes for gaining Upanishadic knowledge. This Upanishad is ranked ninth among the Ten Principal Upanishads. The name Chandogya derives from “Chanda,” meaning rhythm or poetic meter. It directly addresses the true nature of Brahman—the Supreme Self, which exists beyond duality.

Here, we will explore four sections of the first chapter. Chapter 1 focuses on the meditation on OM, known as Udgitha. This chapter contains 13 sections (Khandas), with Udgitha Vidya as the central theme.

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Udgitha Vidya: The Supreme Essence
OM! Thus, one should meditate on Udgitha, for it is the essence of all things. The essence of the earth is water, the essence of water is plants, the essence of plants is man, and the essence of man is speech. Speech derives its essence from the Rik (hymn), Rik from Sama, and Sama from Udgitha. Therefore, Udgitha is the highest, the Supreme, the Eighth—the best of all essences.

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SECTION 1: The Supreme OM

OM! This word, the Udgitha, should be revered. It is chanted at the beginning of every prayer. Let us meditate on it.

The earth is the foundation of all substances; water is the essence of the earth; and plants derive from water. Humans rely on plants, while speech emerges as their essence. Rik arises from speech, Sama from Rik, and Udgitha is the essence of all. Thus, OM is the Self of everything.

• Rik represents speech.
• Sama symbolizes life.
• OM, the sacred syllable, is the Udgitha.

Speech and breath (prana) are a pair (Mithuna). Together, they unite, fulfilling each other’s desires. Those who meditate on the imperishable OM attain fulfillment in all desires.

Every action begins with OM, marking it as a symbol of prosperity. Those who chant it with knowledge and devotion prosper and become gratifiers of desires. OM is the foundation of all threefold knowledge—it is recited, exclaimed, and chanted. Whether one possesses knowledge or not, they perform rituals using OM. However, only those who do so with awareness and faith derive the true power of OM.

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SECTION 2: The Battle Between Devas and Asuras

• Devas symbolize the enlightened functions of the senses.
• Asuras represent ignorance, opposing the Devas.

Both Devas and Asuras originated from Prajapati, the Supreme Being. The eternal struggle between Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (unrighteousness) continues.

1. The Devas and Asuras, the children of Prajapati, contended for supremacy. The Devas sought victory through Udgitha.
2. They first meditated upon breath (Prana) as Udgitha, but the Asuras tainted it, making it capable of perceiving both fragrance and foul odors.
3. They then meditated on speech as Udgitha, but the Asuras polluted it, causing it to express both truth and falsehood.
4. Vision, Audition, and Mind also suffered the same fate, being tainted by both good and evil.
5. Finally, they meditated on the Supreme Vital Air (Mukhyah Prana), which was invincible. The Asuras, attempting to taint it, perished like an earthen ball shattering against a rock.
6. This vital air, unaffected by evil, sustains life. Upon death, when all senses depart, one opens their mouth as the final act of departure.

Thus, sages such as Angira, Brihaspati, and Ayasya revered Udgitha, understanding its supreme essence.

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SECTION 3: Udgitha and the Deities

One should meditate upon the Sun, which shines as Udgitha. Rising each day, it sings for the welfare of creation, dispelling darkness and fear.

• The Sun and the Supreme Prana are alike—they provide warmth, energy, and sustenance.
• Vyana, the intermediary breath between inhalation (Prana) and exhalation (Apana), is also Udgitha, as it allows speech.
• Speech, being Rig, is chanted irrespective of breathing, linking Rig to Sama and Sama to Udgitha.

Other mighty actions—such as generating fire, running, or drawing a strong bow—are also performed without conscious breathing, signifying Vyana as Udgitha.

Furthermore, the word Udgitha itself symbolizes cosmic forces:

• Ut (rising) signifies Prana (breath).
• Gi (speech) represents articulation.
• Tha (support) symbolizes nourishment.

Those who meditate upon Udgitha attain both material wealth and spiritual enlightenment.

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SECTION 4: The Immortal OM

OM should be recited as part of Upasana (spiritual practice).

The Devas, fearing death, sought refuge in the threefold Vedic knowledge, shielding themselves with Mantras. Yet Death could still perceive them. Realizing this, they abandoned the Vedas and embraced OM.

Since OM is articulated in the recitation of Rig, Yajur, and Sama hymns, it is called Svara, the immortal sound. Through OM, the gods achieved immortality and security. Even today, one who meditates on OM can attain the same fearlessness and immortality.

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Conclusion: Everything is OM!

OM is the primal sound, the eternal vibration from which the entire universe emanates. It is the source, the sustenance, and the ultimate destination of all creation. Chanting OM aligns one with the cosmic order, bringing peace, clarity, and unity with the divine. It represents the essence of ultimate reality—unborn, undying, and infinite. To meditate upon OM is to embrace the whole existence, dissolving the illusion of separateness and realizing the unity of all beings. It is the sacred bridge between the known and the unknown, the manifest and the unmanifest. OM is the very breath of life, the light of wisdom, and the key to spiritual liberation.

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Recommended Readings

• Back to the Truth: 5000 Years of Advaita by Dennis Waite
• The Ten Principal Upanishads (Translated by Shri Purohit Swami & W.B. Yeats)
• Brahma Sutra Bhasya of Shankaracharya (Translated by Swami Gambhirananda)
• Commentary on Chandogya Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda
• A-U-M: Awakening to Reality by Dennis Waite
• Panchadasi by Swami Vidyaranya

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Final Note

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