MaNDukya Upanishad and the Nature of OM —Part 2
The MaNDukya Upanishad and the nature of OM offer profound insights into consciousness and the ultimate reality, making it one of the most significant texts in Vedanta. It explains how OM encapsulates the four states of consciousness—waking (jāgrat), dreaming (svapna), deep sleep (suṣupti), and the transcendental Turiya. This Upanishad, though the shortest, carries immense significance in Advaita Vedanta, revealing that OM is not just a sound but the fundamental vibration of existence itself.
In this second part, we explore the deeper dimensions of the MaNDukya Upanishad and the nature of OM, illustrating how this sacred syllable serves as a bridge between duality and non-duality, leading the seeker toward self-realization. Understanding OM through the MaNDukya Upanishad dismantles illusions (Māyā) and awakens one to the absolute truth—Brahman, the eternal reality beyond time and space.
Introduction
The MaNDukya Upanishad, a part of the Atharva Veda, is the shortest of all Upanishads, consisting of only 12 verses. It holds the 6th position in the list of the Ten Principal Upanishads but carries immense spiritual significance.
Understanding the Four States of Consciousness:
The MaNDukya Upanishad and the nature of OM reveal the four states of consciousness—Jāgrat, Svapna, Suṣupti, and Turiya—each unfolding a deeper understanding of Brahman. The Turiya state is the ultimate reality, where duality dissolves and only the SELF remains in its purest form.
Among all the Upanishads, the MaNDukya stands out as the most profound. The scripture itself declares:
“MaNDukyam ekam eva alam mumukshunam vimuktaye.”
(For one seeking liberation, the MaNDukya alone is sufficient.)
By meditating on the mystic syllable OM (AUM), the mind gradually transcends limitations, paving the way toward ultimate realization.
Previously, in Part 1, I discussed up to the 7th mantra, which is considered the most significant among Vedic scriptures. This mantra explains the nature of Absolute Reality—Brahman. If you haven’t read it yet, you can find it here: Part-1
In this post, I will delve into the last five mantras (8th to 12th), offering a deeper insight into the MaNDukya Upanishad and the nature of OM. By exploring these profound verses, we will uncover the ultimate truth about consciousness and self-realization. Additionally, I will highlight how each mantra further clarifies the significance of OM (AUM) in attaining liberation. Let us now continue our journey into the essence of the MaNDukya Upanishad and its timeless wisdom
माण्डूक्योपनिषत्
॥ अथ माण्डूक्योपनिषत्॥
The Significance of OM in MaNDukya Upanishad and the Nature of OM
Mantra-8: ॐ~AUM (OM) with four quarters:
"सोऽयमात्माऽध्यक्षरमोंकारोऽधिमात्रं पादा मात्रा मात्राश्च पादा अकार उकारो मकार इति "॥ ८॥
“so.ayamAtma.sdhyakSharamo~NkAro-adhimAtram pAdA mAtramAtrAshcha pAdA akAra ukAro makAra iti” – [8]
“The same Atman (which has been described in the 7th Mantra as having four quarters) is again, AUM, from the point of view of the syllables. The “AUM “with parts is viewed from the standpoint of sound. The quarters are the letters, and the letters are the quarters. The letters here are A, U, and M.”.
According to Shankara, 7th mantra have concentrated on the abhidheya meaning ‘that which is being spoken of’, i.e. the thing named or denoted. OM [AUM], therefore, is effectively the abhidhAna-name or appellation. This means that Atman is equated to OM in the linguistic sense. The letters constituting OM are A, U and M.
"जागरितस्थानो वैश्वानरोऽकारः प्रथमा मात्राऽऽप्तेरादिमत्त्वाद् वाऽऽप्नोति ह वै सर्वान् कामानादिश्च भवति य एवं वेद "॥ ९॥
“jAgaritasthAno vaishvAnaro-akArah prathamAmAtra-a-apteraadimattvaadvA-a-apnoti ha vai sarvAnkAmAnAdishcha bhavati ya evaM veda.”. -[9]
“He who is VaishvAnara, having for its sphere of activity the waking state, is A, the first letter of AUM, on account of its all-pervasiveness or on account of being the first. One who knows this attains the fulfillment of all desires and becomes the first of all.”
prathamA mAtra: – The first mAtra of OM-akAraH: the letter “A” vaishvAnara- the waking state. AdimatvatvAt: being the first. Pervasiveness-“A” which pervades all sounds. “A” is the fundamental sound. We cannot speak any word without opening the mouth and the sound thus produced is “A”. We can regard this sound as pervading every other sound. Similarly, we regard the waking state as having primacy. We only know of the existence of the dream state and deep sleep states when we are at waking state. Obviously, we have to be awake in order to pursue this enquiry and to attain enlightenment.
In the scripture VaishvAnara is said to pervade the whole of the Universe. In Bhagavad-Gita, Ch10.33, Lord Krishna says: ” I am the letter “A”, describing himself as Ishwara. This mantra is advocating Upasana on OM, with specific attention on the first letter “A”.
One who understands this, gets all he wants; becomes leader among men.
"स्वप्नस्थानस्तैजस उकारो द्वितीया मात्रोत्कर्षाद् उभयत्वाद्वोत्कर्षति ह वै ज्ञानसन्ततिं समानश्च भवति नास्याब्रह्मवित्कुले भवति य एवं वे"
“svapnasthAnastijasa ukAro dvitIyAmAtrotkarShAdubhayatvAdvotkarShati ha vai j~nAnasantati-nsamAnashcha bhavati nAsyaabrahmavitkule bhavAti va evaM veda” -[10]
“The dreaming condition [taijasa], called mental condition, corresponds to the second letter “U.”. It upholds; stands between waking and sleeping. He who understands upholds the tradition of spiritual knowledge. looks upon everything with an impartial eye. No one ignorant of Brahman is born into his family.”.
The letter “U”, the second mAtra of OM is “taijasa”, the dream state, because both are regarded as superior and also are in the middle of their respective series. Whosoever knows this will become superior in knowledge and accepted by all. All members of his family will be wise. As a matter of fact, A being the first of all sounds is superior to all letters. But “U” coming after “A” may be said superior to “A” in all indirect way. as such the subtle taijasa is regarded as superior to vishva because subtle is superior to gross. Gross can be considered as the effect of the subtle cause. Gross equates to matter, subtle to energy. Mind is superior to physical body. State of mind makes us superior to the animals. Gross body returns to earth on death, but the subtle and causal body remains present for rebirth.
Note: At the macrocosmic level, at the end of the universe [Pralaya], the entire gross creation [Virat] is subsumed into Hiranyagarbha.
Mantra-11: Deep sleep, the intellectual condition called “Prajna,” corresponds to the third letter “M.”.
"सुषुप्तस्थानः प्राज्ञो मकारस्तृतीया मात्रा मितेरपीतेर्वा मिनोति ह वा इदꣳ सर्वमपीतिश्च भवति य एवं वेद" ॥ ११॥
“suShuptassthAnaH prAj~no makArastRRitIyA mAtra meterapItervA minoti havA idaM sarvamapItishcha bhavati ya evaM veda”-[11]
“Undreaming sleep, called the intellectual condition [prAj~no], corresponds to the third letter “M.”. It weighs and unites. He who understands, weighs the world, rejects, and unites himself with the cause.”. -[11]
Sankara Explains:-
One who is prAj~no associated with deep sleep is “M” , the third letter{sound) of AUM. The key word “miti” in the mantra needs to be understood. “miti” means measure. As food grains are measured in utensils before use and that is filled again when it is reused on regular basis, which means grains reappear again. similarly, at individual level, the waking and dream states as though disappear in deep sleep, emerge again sometime later. Similarly, at the macrocosmic level, the gross[Virat] and subtle[Hiranyagarbha] worlds disappear at the end of creation into the causal state(Ishwara~antaryamin) and reappear at the next creation. This is analogous to the scientific theory of “Big-Bang & Big-Crunch”. In the same manner, while chanting OM (AUM), the sound “A” and “U” disappear when we close mouth and only sound “M” remains. And the sound “A” and “U” reappear again when the mouth is opened for chanting AUM. waking and dream states are merged in deep sleep. As we have seen in mantra-4 of this Upanishad, that they[ A= Vishva & U= Taijasa] become “mass of consciousness” (prajnanaghana) in M (deep sleep state).
In deep sleep, all perceptions and cognitions converge into a single mode of the mind: It becomes mass of Consciousness[ ekibhutah]. There is no modifications of the mind[ due to absence of Vrittis].
The happiness of deep sleep is greater than all other forms of happiness.
Therefore one who knows this, comprehends the real nature of the Universe. He realises himself as Atman and the cause of the Universe i.e. Ishwara.
The Turiya State in MaNDukya Upanishad: Beyond Duality
Mantra-12: “Amaatra. The fourth letter: “Turiya.”
“अमात्रश्चतुर्थोऽव्यवहार्यः प्रपञ्चोपशमः शिवोऽद्वैत एवमोंकार आत्मैव संविशत्यात्मनाऽऽत्मानं य एवं वेद “॥ १२॥
“amAtrashchaturtho-avyavahAryaH prapa~nchopashamaHshivo-Advaitaevamo~NkAra-atmaiva saMvishatyAtmanA-a-AtmaM ya evaM veda ya evaMveda”-[12]
“The fourth condition of the self corresponds to OM as one, indivisible word. He is whole; beyond bargain. The world disappears in Him. He is the good; the one without a second. Thus, OM is nothing but self. He who understands, with the help of personal self, merges himself into the impersonal self.”
The part less “OM” is the fourth quarter; It is beyond all conventional dealings; It is the limit of the negation of the phenomenal world. It is all- Auspicious, all-Blissful; It is One without a second; the Non-Dual Reality; This OM is verily the same as the Atman or Self within. The Self realises Itself through the Self; He who knows thus, merges himself into the impersonal Self.
Conclusion
A) On an individual level, the waking consciousness is known as Vishva. In the dream state, it is called Taijasa, and in deep sleep, it is referred to as Prajna. From a cosmic perspective, these correspond to Virat in the waking state, Hiranyagarbha in the dream state, and Ishwara in deep sleep. This correlation reveals the interconnected nature of microcosm and macrocosm.
B) The relationship between the individual and the cosmic—Vishva & Virat, Taijasa & Hiranyagarbha, Prajna & Ishwara—demonstrates the underlying unity of all existence. By realizing this truth, Jiva transcends its limitations and attains Ishwratwa, becoming Omnipresent, Omniscient, and Omnipotent. This journey from individuality to universality is the essence of self-realization.
C) The one who realizes Brahman burns away all latent impressions (vasanas) and transcends the cycle of birth and rebirth. Since no karma remains to bind him, he merges with the eternal Self. This ultimate liberation marks the attainment of the highest truth.
D) The realization of AUM occurs when the illusion of duality completely dissolves. In this state of pure awareness, all divisions disappear, and the seeker becomes one with the Absolute Reality.
Recommended readings:
- Back to the Truth: 5000 Years of ADVAITA by Dennis Waite.
- THE TEN PRINCIPAL UPANISHADS: Translated by Shree Purohit** Swami and W.B.Yeats
- Brahma Sutra Bhasya of Sankaracharya: Translated by Swami Gambhirananda.**
- Commentary of Mandukya Upanishad: By Swami Krishnananda.
- MANDUKYA Upanishad By Swami GuruBhaktananda.
- The Mandukya Upanishad: with Gaudapada’s Karika and Sankara’s commentary: By swami Nikhilananda
- EIGHT UPANISADS, VOL-1, with commentary of Sankaracharya, translated by SWAMI GAMBHIRANANDA.
- THE TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD: SHIKSHAVALLI-ANANDAVALLI-BHRIGUVALLI with Sri Shankara’s Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidanandera Saraswati.
- A-U-M Awakening to Reality : By Dennis Waite***
- Information is available on the internet. The MaNDukya Upanishad is one of the principal Upanishads, and scholars have extensively discussed its importance Source: Upanishads on Vedanta Society
It is my sincere request to the esteemed readers to share their opinion or queries, if any. Suggestions to make the site attractive will be highly helpful for me. Readers are requested to read all the posts to have continuation of the topic from the beginning. My mail ID is : arun7663@gmail.com
Thank you, Arun, for your eloquent explanation and presentation.
Joanna
Thank you so much Joanna for your support and encouragement. I am glad that you have liked it ☺️
Regards 🙏
Perhaps, Arun, you will be interested in my latest post about Tagore and other famous Indian writers.
Joanna
naturetails.blog
Thank you so much for bringing this to my notice. I will go through.
Rabindranath Tagore was multi-talented personality. His creation in the field of literature has shown such a path towards Love( Prem and Puja= Lady love+ Love to God). Some time you will find whether this love is towards fiance or towards the Almighty.
He was worshipper of Brahman.
His family initiated the unique path of Enlightenment towards Nirguna Brahman (Unconditioned Brahman means Pure Consciousness)
I will read your post for gaining knowledge 🙂
Regards 🙏
Perhaps, Arun, you will find interesting my latest post about Tagore and other famous Indian writers.
Joanna
naturetails.blog
Thank you so much for sharing this.
I will read and write you the knowledge gained ☺️🙏
Joanna
I request you to share the link here 😌
Post on Tagore please.
I am searching however
Got it 🤠👍😊🙏
Sir, this is really a good explanation of this word. I have never known that much about AUM. Nice to know that from your post. Thank you for sharing this knowledge. 😊
Thank you so much Preeti for your comments ☺️
I am very happy that you have liked it.
Best wishes 🙂
Nice and knowledgeable post. AUM is the basic sound of the universe. The act of chanting can also relax the body, slow down the nervous system, and calm the mind.
Thank you for sharing.🙂🙂
Thank you Anita ji for your beautiful comments. Indeed AUM is the primordial sound, Adi and fundamental. Mandukya Upanishad explains in details. I am very happy that you have liked it.
Regards.
“He who understands upholds the tradition of spiritual knowledge. looks upon everything with an impartial eye. No one ignorant of Brahman is born into his family.” Shows our ancestors’ epigenetic wisdom was light years ahead of ‘science”. We can rewrite our epigenetic script ourselves. Thank you.
Thank you so much for adding insights. There are very few readers who read vedantic texts.
Earlier also I have received your comments.
I am truly grateful ☺️ 🙏
I gave it another thought. Verse 10 could suggest that spiritual elites, born out of a special spiritual and genetic inheritance, could lead the rest of humanity through the end of the current Kali Yuga back into the Satya Yuga. An idea of something that aligns with the notion of ‘spiritual genetics.’This elite would possess not only spiritual insight but also the intergenerational genetic makeup necessary to lead humanity into a new cycle, the age of truth, harmony, and spiritual flourishing. What’s your take on this?
Absolutely right
And to my thoughts, you are one of them in this lead as you said.
Together we can progress more in the path you are referring to.
Back to Satya Yuga is evident. And it has started. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
I am inspired.
Regards 🙏
Yes, prajna sanskar -deep experiences lit by consciousness- will be there for generations. It will overpower all foolish sanskara that we create in our mind. Thoughts → Actions → Habits → Character → Destiny. Saptarishi gotra or Rishi Kule something of that is still in our genes! “Na Asya Bhramavit Kule Bhavati.” Thank you Arun, for your comment.