Mandukya Upanishad

Mandukya Upanisad verses 1-3, Atharvaveda, Sanskrit, Devanagari

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Mandukya Upanishad is one of the principal Upanishads in Hinduism, notable for its succinctness and profound depth. It is associated with the Atharvaveda and is considered the shortest among the Maha Upanishads, consisting of just 12 verses. The text delves into the nature of Atman (self) and Brahman (ultimate reality), exploring the connection between the individual soul and the cosmos through the framework of Om (or Aum), which is posited as the essence of all existence.

Overview

The Mandukya Upanishad presents a metaphysical analysis of the syllable Om, linking it to the concept of four states of consciousness. These states are the waking state (jagrat), the dream state (svapna), the deep sleep state (sushupti), and the state of transcendental consciousness (turiya). Each of these states is associated with different parts of Om, symbolizing the entirety of existence and consciousness.

Contents

The text begins with an assertion of Om as everything, followed by an exposition on the three psychological states of consciousness. The Upanishad then introduces the fourth state, turiya, which is described as neither inward nor outward consciousness, nor both. It transcends the levels of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Turiya is the state of pure consciousness, which is the ultimate goal of spiritual pursuit in Vedanta philosophy.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Mandukya Upanishad centers on the premise that the ultimate reality (Brahman) and the self (Atman) are one and the same. This non-dualistic (Advaita) perspective is foundational to Advaita Vedanta, a major school of Hindu philosophy. The text uses the symbol of Om to illustrate the interconnectedness of the individual with the cosmos, emphasizing the unity of all existence.

Influence

The Mandukya Upanishad has had a profound impact on the development of Hindu thought, particularly within the Advaita Vedanta tradition. Its teachings have been extensively commented upon by various scholars, most notably Adi Shankaracharya, who wrote a comprehensive commentary elucidating its non-dualistic philosophy. The Upanishad's concise presentation of complex metaphysical concepts has made it a pivotal text in the study of Hindu philosophy.

See Also

• Upanishads
• Advaita Vedanta
• Atman (Hinduism)
• Brahman
• Om