Essentials of Hinduism - Mandukya Upanishad

Essentials of Hinduism

Mandukya Upanishad

SUMMARY:

The Mandukya Upanishad is part of the Atharvana Veda. Ayam Atma Brahma – this is the Mahavakya for Atharvana Veda that is attributed to the Mandukya Upanishad. Meaning: this Self or Jivatma is Brahman. We move back and forth between Awakeness, Dream and Sleep stages in our Life – this Upanishad deals extensively with these stages of consciousness. Varuna is the Rishi or revealer of this Upanishad.

There are two scenes before us: One, this World of Maya is attracting us with pleasures and grievances (distress, sorrow, suffering) and prevents us from escape from this Samsara Life; Second, seek (look) for a Higher Life. This Upanishad helps us get rid of the bad (first one) and give us the good (second one) – Higher Life.

Om, the Pranava, is the only symbol of Brahman, the Absolute. One should, with purity of heart, fix his mind on the Atma, through Om which is the Atma. Om, Brahman and the Atma are all the same. What was, what is, and what will be, all is Om. Om is inseparable from Brahman. Om is a means to the Knowledge of Brahman. Om is the means by which the immortal Self, denoted by Om, is realized. If you know Om, you know Brahman also.

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Om is explained in this Upanishad. People generally believe that the region of the heart is the abode of the Atma, Brahman or the Soul. That is the reason the author of this Upanishad (the Sage) points out his forefinger to the region of the heart, because, the sage knows the Brahman through his Self-Realization. That is the reason you use this gesture and declares with certainty, Ayam Atma Brahma (This Atma is Brahman). This Upanishad also talks about the Mahavakya for the other three Upanishads (that belong to the other three Vedas).

The second sloka is about the Chatuspad of Om, the Atma: This Atma called Om is Para (higher) Brahman, as well as, Apara (lower) Brahman, and has got four (4) quarters or padas – Visva (the waking state); Taijasa (the dreaming state); Prajna (deep sleep state); Turiya (superconscious state same as the Brahman, the Atma).

Visva, the Individual Soul in the waking state, due to its Avidya or ignorance proceeds to enjoy the gross objects of the external visible World. Visva has seven (7) limbs: Heaven is the head of Visva; Sun and Moon are the eyes; Air is the breath; Fire is the mouth; Akasha (Sky) is his Body; Water is the urinary organ (kidney or bladder); Earth is the feet. In addition, the Visva has nineteen (19) outlets (mouths) consisting of: five (5) jnyana indriyas – sensory organs eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin; five (5) corresponding experiences are form, sound, smell, taste and touch; five (5) karma indriyas for actions are mouth, hands, feet, urinary/generative organ and the excretory organ. Five (5) Pranas are Prana (inhale), Apana (exhale), Vyana (occupying all spaces), Udana (helps the Atma during death to leave the Body), Samana (helps in the food digestion), four (4) anthakaranas are Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Ahamakara (ego), and Chitta (subconscious mind by which we remember the incidents that happened long time back) – a total of nineteen (19) mouths. Taijasa (the dreaming state) – the Mind withdraws itself from the outside world and plays in the dream state with the Vasanas from its past and this Life (all past impressions of the waking state). This is subtle (hardly noticeable) experience only.

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Prajna (deep sleep state) – the Jiva being tired of the actions of the World in the waking and dreaming states, enters Ajnyana and enjoys deep sleep (equivalent to Bliss). Turiya (superconscious state) – this cannot be described in words. The Atma is incomprehensible, because, it is beyond the reach of the senses. It is undefinable, because, it has neither qualities nor form nor color nor shape. It has neither sound nor touch nor taste nor smell.

Meditation on Om helps the aspirant in the attainment of Self-Realization or the final realization of Brahman. Brahman, who is Om, is realized when the Avidya (ignorance) disappears, through the attainment of Knowledge of the Self.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.