The Mandukya Upanishad is a terse Upanishad from the Atharvaveda with only 12 quotes (verses). Yet it packs in a punch with its eclectic wisdom. It is a prime Upanishad (6th place) even amongst the 10 Principal Upanishads of the 180 Upanishads in the Muktika Canon. Moreover, Sri Ram and Hanuman’s discussion in the Muktikopanishad extols Mandukya Upanishad as being powerful enough to single handedly lead an aspirant to liberation. Mandukya Upanishad quotes also have the great Mahavakya ‘Ayam Atma Brahma’.
This Shruti, reiterates the Upanishad wisdom that God is within us, ‘Ayam Atma Brahma’ It also gives us a very simple path to reach transcendental consciousness through a correct meditation on the Prananva, Om (AUM)
Further, Sri Gaudapada, in the lineage of Sri Sankaracharya’s Gurus wrote a detailed Karika (discussion of all the technical terms and concepts) elucidating these 12 Mandukya Upanishad quotes. Also, Sri Sankaracharya himself too wrote a commentary on this karika.
Mandukya Upanishad and OM (AUM)
Om is not a created mantra or a chant. In other words, it already exists as an eternal primordial vibration. In fact, when we chant Om the right way (Aaaa..Uuuu…Mmmm) it is we who sync our frequencies to this cosmic vibration.
The Mandukya equates the four ‘feet’(states) of man to the four parts of the Om (AUM). It says that the four states of Man’s consciousness are wakeful (Vaishvanara), dream (Taijasya), deep sleep (Prajna) and Super consciousness (Turiya). Further, the four parts of Om (AUM) are, three syllables A,U,M forming the first 3 parts and the silence between two chants forming the fourth part.
Therefore, Mandukya connects these 4 states of consciousness to the 4 parts of Om (AUM). Finally, it advocates that the ones who meditate on these in the right sequence can achieve material success, intellectual superiority, infallible discerning powers and also transcend from a Jiva to the ultimate Universal Atman/ Brahman.
The 12 Priceless Mandukya Upanishad Quotes
1. Om is Everything, meditate on this symbol, this sound of the Divine
Mandukya Upanishad quote 1
Aum ity etad akṣaram idam sarvam, tasyopavyākhyānam bhūtam bhavad bhaviṣyad iti sarvam auṁkāra eva yac cānyat trikālātītaṁ tad apy auṁkāra eva.
Translation: OM,This syllable (word) is everything. The explanation of which is, the past present, future all of it is Om. All that is beyond the three states of time is OM
Meaning Of Mandukya Upanishad quote 1
Om the word, the sound is all this!
This verse asks us to look beyond the plurality of the visible and the invisible and understand that everything is made of the one eternal Conscious principle. That pure consciousness is Brahman designated by the symbol OM.
The analogy used in Vedanta to explain this is of clay pots or gold ornaments. Though of different shapes and sizes the pots are fundamentally clay and the ornaments are inherently gold.
Similarly, the sound OM or the pure consciousness Brahman is what everything is made of.
Time is an outcome of mind and mind is matter. When mind ceases to operate the concept of time vanishes too. Hence it is said that Om is beyond time, beyond the past, present and future. Because it is nothing but Brahman (Divine Conscious- Life principle).
As per the Vedic cosmology, the universe was created by the Om vibration of the primal energy (Prakriti).
That is to say, Om represents the Shabda (sound) inextricably linked to the Artha (object), meaning the Universe.
Om is the only sound that when pronounced right (Aaaaaa…Uuuuu….Mmmmm) leads to the vibration of the entire soundbox.
2. Ayam Atma Brahma : Brahman (God/Divinity) is within you, Atman is Brahman and it has 4 states of consciousness
Mandukya Upanishad quote 2
sarvaṁ hy etad brahma, ayam ātmā brahma, so’yam ātmā catuṣ-pāt.
Translation: All this is Brahman. The Self (Atman) is Brahman. This Self has four feet (quarters/parts/levels of consciousness)
Meaning Of Mandukya Upanishad quote 2
Brahman is not only both the invisible and the invisible but infact also the very Divine Life principle that pervades us. Further, the Upanishad wisdom telsl us that the spiritual centre within us is the Atman.
This verse says that this Atman is nothing but the indivisible, indestructible Brahman. How is it so?
Now, this can be explained with the analogy of the space occupied by a room. This space is the same as the space outside, the open space. Infact, it is nothing but the universal space bounded by walls and a roof. However, on this space we superimpose our mind, ego, intellect and start calling it a room, ‘my room’.
Similarly, The Atman is nothing but the Brahman bounded by our body, mind, ego, intellect, senses and all of Maya.
Therefore, the Atharvaveda Mahavakya (a significant scriptural declaration) ‘Ayam Atma Brahma’ illuminates this point. That the Self /Atman is nothing but the Brahman!
This is the discovery of the all ancient liberated Rishis, the gist of all the Upanishads. That, Divinity is right within each of us. Just like Gold is gold both in its rawest form as well as in its purest ornamental form. Similarly multiple shapes and forms of the world are all in essence the Brahman itself.
Further, these forms may be in varying degrees of activity, inactivity etc depending on their Sattva, Rajas and Tamas composition
Additionally, this verse discusses that the Atman exists in four states of consciousness:
- Wakeful State
- Dreaming State
- State of dreamless deep sleep
- Super- consciousness State
Further, how all this correlates to Om is discussed in the next few verses.
3. Description of Vaishvanara or the wakeful consciousness of the Atman
Mandukya Upanishad quote 3
jāgarita sthāno bahiṣ-prajñaḥ saptāṅga ekonaviṁśati-mukhaḥ sthūla-bhug Vaiśvānaraḥ prathamaḥ pādah.
Translation: The first state is Vaiśvānara., its field is the wakeful state, its conscious is turned outwards, has seventeen limbs and nineteen mouths, experiences (enjoys) gross objects of the world.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 3
Viraat Purush is that form of the Macrocosmic Cosmic Man/ Ego that Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna during the Gita discourse.
Similarly, this idea at the micro-cosmic level is called Vaisvanara, the microcosmic man/ego. Here, Visva means Cosmos and Nara means man. This concept is thoroughly explained in the Chandogya Upanishad.
Just as the Atman (microcosmic) is considered synonymous to the Brahman (macrocosmic) here, the Vaishvanara (individual ego) is compared to the Virat Purush (the cosmic ego).
Further, this verse says that the first state of wakeful consciousness is Vaisvanara, the ego that enjoys the world and all of its creations.
So, to enjoy the world of objects Vaishvanara (Virat) uses nineteen mouths (metaphorically) to receive and consume sensations. These are:
- Jnanendriyas (5 Organs of knowledge) : ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose
- Karmendriyas (5 Organs of action): speech, hands, feet, reproductory and excretory organs.
- Five Pranas : prana, apana, udana, samana and vyana
- Four parts of Antahkarana : mind, ego, intellect and subconscious (chitta)
Also, this Vaisvanara (Virat) is seven limbed as described in the Mundaka Upanishad
- The heaven is his head
- The sun and moon his eyes
- The fire his mouth
- The air his breath
- The sky his body
- The water his kidney and
- The earth his feet.
This externally conscious Vaishavnara/Virat Purush pervades all living, non-living, animate or in- animate via varied proportions of the Trigunas of Prakriti: Sattva Rajas Tamas
4. Description of Taijasa : the Dream consciousness
Mandukya Upanishad quote 4
svapna-sthāno’ntaḥ-prajñaḥ saptāṅga ekonavimśatimukhaḥ pravivikta-bhuk taijaso dvītiyaḥ pādah.
Translation: The second quarter is Taijasa who operates in the dream state. Its consciousness is of the inner world. It also has seven-limbs and nineteen-mouths but it enjoys subtle objects of the dream world.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 4
Even though Taijasa is the dream consciousness, while one is in that state, the dream happenings seem perfectly real. We have all the same reactions to stimuli. For example, if we are threatened by a wild animal in a dream, we wake up sweaty and palpitating. This is how we would react incase of reality.
That’s why it is said that Taijasa too has 19 mouths and seven limbs. But all his experiences are restricted to mental impressions or the subtle world of dreams.
5. Description of Prajna/ Sushupti: The Deep sleep consciousness
Mandukya Upanishad quote 5
yatra supto na kaṁ cana kāmaṁ kāmayate na kaṁ cana svapnam paśyati tat suṣuptam suṣupta-sthāna ekī-bhūtaḥ prajñānā-ghana evānandamayo hy ānanda-bhuk ceto-mukhaḥ prājñas tṛtīyaḥ pādah
Translation : The third quarter is prajna, where one is in deep sleep, without any desires and without any dreams. In this state of dreamless sleep, the consciousness becomes one homogenous undivided whole, full of bliss and enjoying that bliss. This is the gate to the projection of consciousness to the other two states of wakeful consciousness and dream consciousness.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 5
This verse describes the deep dreamless sleep as anandamaya i.e pure bliss. That is because the individual is free of mind and is one with his Consciousness. He has no thoughts, ideas, desires or agitations. He is simply enveloped in uniform darkness.
However, this bliss is unlike the transcendental bliss of realization. This bliss arises out of peace, out of freedom from agitations of the mind.
Also, note that this bliss occurs despite a complete negation of senses. Eating, drinking, partying etc nothing contribute to it. And yet, on waking up from a deep dreamless sleep, one is fully rejuvenated and joyous.
Prajna/ Sushupti is also reckoned as the root consciousness of the other two states of wakeful and dream consciousness.
6. The state of Prajna is the Lord of all
Mandukya Upanishad quote 6
eṣa sarveśvaraḥ eṣa sarvajñaḥ, eṣo’ntāryami eṣa yoniḥ sarvasya prabhavāpyayau hi bhūtānām.
Translation : This is the Lord of All; the All knowing, The Controller within ; the Source of All. This is the beginning and end of all beings.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 6
When we are in deep sleep, all our awareness consolidates itself. And when we wake up, this awareness/ consciousness projects itself back as mind, intellect, ego, emotions, thoughts, ideas, desires etc. and then the loop goes on.
Further, day after day, we fall asleep and dissolve back into dreams and finally into the same dreamless consciousness. Then arise again from it and get projected into Jagruti (Vishvanara), then Taijasa (dream consciousness) and dissolve into Prajna again.
That is why the Prajna state has been called as The All-knowing Inner controller, the beginning and end of all beings, The Ishvara or the macro-level Consciousness
7. Turiya, the fourth state; the State of Super Consciousness
Mandukya Upanishad quote 7
nāntaḥ-prajñam, na bahiṣ prajñam, nobhayataḥ-prajñam, na prajnañā-ghanam, na prajñam, nāprajñam; adṛṣtam, avyavahārayam, agrāhyam, alakṣaṇam, acintyam, avyapadeśyam, ekātma-pratyaya-sāram, prapañcopaśamam, śāntam, śivam, advaitam, caturtham manyante, sa ātmā, sa vijñeyaḥ.
Translation : The fourth quarter or the fourth part of the consciousness is neither inner conscious (as in the dream state) nor external conscious (as in the wakeful state). Nor is it something in between these two or even a combined state of the two. It is also not plain consciousness or unconsciousness not a mass of undifferentiated consciousness. It is neither knowing, nor unknowing; invisible, imperceptible by the senses, intangible, without attributes, inconceivable by the mind, indefinable, essentially aware of own Self; beyond all phenomena, utterly quiet; peaceful; blissful, non -dual. This is is the Atman, the Self; this is to be realized.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 7
The Super Conscious state is the Real Atman, the Self . It has been described through negation like this because it cannot perceived by the senses being beyond all Space, Time and Causation. Therefore, this state is indescribable in worldly language.
All activities of Prakriti cease in this stage. It Is pure positive Super Consciousness full of peace and bliss, beyond words.
One can reach this stage only through the glory of meditation that can peel off layers of worldly matter and its worldly perceptions thereof.
8. Realize Atman with Om Meditation by identifying the 4 parts of Atman to the 4 parts of Om respectively.
Mandukya Upanishad quote 8
so’yam ātmādhyakṣaram auṁkaro’dhimātram pādā mātrā mātrāś ca pādā akāra ukāra makāra iti.
Translation : This same Atman/Self, is Om in the terms of Sound Symbolism. The four quarters of Atman are identical with the Four quarters of the Syllable Om. The syllables of Om are A,U,M
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 8
The Atman in the sound symbol form is Om. The four states of consciousness correspond to the parts of the Om i.e A, U, M and the ensuing silence. So to realize Atman one should meditate on the syllables of A,U,M and the silence.
9. Meditate on the syllable Aaaa with Vaishvanara consciousness for wish fulfillment
Mandukya Upanishad quote 9
jāgarita-sthāno vaiśvānaro’kāraḥ prathamā mātrā’pter ādimattvād vā’pnoti ha vai sarvān kāmān ādiś ca bhavati ya evaṁ veda.
Translation: Vaisvanara, whose field is the Jagrut (waking state), is the sound, Aaaa, the first syllable of Om / Aum. Because both are first and both are all pervasive . He who knows this gets all his desires and becomes the first amongst all.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 9
The objective here is to give the aspirant a holy symbol that is the name of God, to aid in Nirguna (formless) meditation.
The syllable Aaa is the first of all letter and inseparable from sounds in speech, infact it pops out the moment we open our mouth to speak. Similarly the wakeful consciousness is the first and all-pervasive state
By meditating on Aaaa syllable along with identification with the Vaishvanara state, one gains all he desires. He becomes foremost amongst men and a true adept.
10. Meditate upon ‘ Uuuu’ with Taijasa Awareness for Supreme Knowledge, glory and a race of Brahman-knowers
Mandukya Upanishad quote 10
svapna-sthānas taijasa ukāro dvitīyā mātrotkarṣāt ubhayatvādvotkarṣati ha vai jñāna-saṁtatiṁ samānaś ca bhavati nāsyābrahma-vit-kule bhavati ya evam veda.
Translation : The one who is Taijasa, whose field is the dream consciousness state, is the second sound of Om, ‘Uuuu’. This is because of their common superiority of being in between and having qualities of the other two. He who knows this gets supreme knowledge, treated equally by all and everyone in his family will be a knower of Brahman.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 10
The U sound of AUM, meditated upon united with Taijasa makes the meditator extremely knowledgeable, a real Jnani. He holds everyone together where ever he goes. He eases out tensions, stress and brings peace. Because of the power of this meditation, his descendants also reap the benefits of awareness of the Imperishable Brahman (Universal Divine Consciousness)
11. Meditate upon ‘Mmmm’ with Sushupti identification for discerning powerMandukya
Upanishad quote 11
suṣupta-sthānaḥ prājño makāras tṛtīya mātrā miter apīter vā minoti ha vā idaṁ sarvam apītiś ca bhavati ya evaṁ veda.
Translation: Prajna, the state of deep sleep, is the third sound, M, because both are the measures (mitis) as well as the great dissolver (where all unite into one). He who knows this, will be able to discern the real nature of all things and also realize the Self of all
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 11
Just like the Jagrut and Taijasa states merge into the Prajna and then rise up again, the syllables Aaaa and Uuu also merge into Mmmm and the rise up again. So Both Prajna and the syllable M are like measuring containers that merge, contain and release again.
Meditating on M with Prajna awareness gives one a great ability to discern and judge things. This can make one a grand supporter of all, a position of authority in measuring anyones knowledge.
12. Turiya, the Super conscious state corresponds to the silence between two Oms (Aums)
Mandukya Upanishad Quote 12
amātraś caturtho’vyavahāryaḥ prapañcopaśamaḥ sivo’dvaita evam auṁkāra ātmaiva, saṁviśaty ātmanā’tmānaṁ ya evaṁ veda ya evaṁ veda.
Translated : That which is the fourth (Turiya) state is without any sound, is quiet, peaceful, blissful and is an end of all worldly phenomena. It is the same as Atman and the one who knows this merges his Self in the Supreme Self.
Meaning of Mandukya Upanishad quote 12
The fourth and the final stage of Turiya , The Super Conscious stage is syllables-less. This means that it corresponds to the gap between two AUMs, the space after the M syllable of a completed AUM chant and before the start of the A syllable of a new AUM chant.
This is the amatra, the immeasurable , the soundless state of AUM and it corresponds to transcendental bliss.
In this state of boundless bliss, mind completely ceases to exist and the individual merges into the pure Atman
In conclusion, Mandukya Upanishad’s 12 short verses gives the common man a simple but potent tool to reach the Divine through the contemplation of Om. Reach out for these.. happy reflection!
For detailed study do refer to Mandukya Upanishads written by Swami Nikhilananda, Swami Gambhirananda and Swami Chinmayananda.
Disclaimer : The links to these books are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Also read Powerful Ram Mantras, Bhagavad Gita quotes for Students, Soham meaning and mantra benefits, Gayatri mantra meaning and benefits, Bhagavad Gita quotes on Karma and others
