OM (AUM), THE UDGITHA

THE MANDUKYA UPANISHAD

AUM stands for the supreme Reality.

It is a symbol for what was, what is,

And what will be. AUM represents also

What lies beyond, past, present and future.

Brahman is all, and the Self is Brahman.

This Self has four states of consciousness.

The first is called Vaishvanara, in which

One lives with all the senses turned outward,

Aware only of the external world.

Taijasa is the name of the second,

The dreaming state in which, with the senses

Turned inward, one enacts the impressions

Of past deeds and present desires.

The third is called Prajna, of deep sleep,

In which one neither dreams nor desires.

There is no mind in Prajna, there is no

Separateness; but the sleeper is not

Conscious of this. Let him become conscious

In Prajna and it will open the door

To the state of abiding joy.

Prajna, all-powerful and all-knowing,

Dwells in the hearts of all as the ruler.

Prajna is the source and end of all.

The forth is the superconscious state called

Turiya, neither in ward nor outward,

Beyond the senses and the intellect,

In which there is none other than the Lord.

He is the supreme goal of life. He is

Infinite peace and love. Realize him!

Turiya is represented by AUM.

Though indivisible it has three sounds.

A stands for Vaishnavara. Those who know this,

Through mastery of the senses obtain

The fruit of their desires and attain greatness.

U indicates Taijasa. Those who know this,

By mastering even their dreams, become

Established in wisdom. In their family

Everyone leads the spiritual life.

M corresponds to Prajna. Those who know this,

By stilling the mind, find their true stature

And inspire everyone around to grow.

The mantrum AUM stands for the supreme state

Of turiya, without parts, beyond birth

And death, symbol of everlasting joy.

Those who know AUM as the Self become the Self;

Truly they become the Self.

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Chandogya Upanishad 1:1-3

1 Let us meditate on OM the imperishable, the beginning of prayer 2 For as the earth comes from the waters, plants from earth, and man from plants, so man is speech and speech is OM. Of all speech the essence is the Rig Veda; but Sama is the essence of Rig, and of Sama the essence is OM, the Udgitha. 3 This is the essense of essences, the highest and eighth rung, venerated above all that human beings hold holy. OM is the self of all.

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The Veda's explain, God - full of eternity, knowledge and bliss - corresponds to three main features of the Supreme: residing everywhere, residing within, residing outside & beyond.

With OM the beginning of prayer and four stages from water to man four essences from speech to OM and sacred text indicating the existence of four heavenly realms, then the scripture suggests one must approach alignment or in-tune with the supernal; The Holy of Holies.

Please note: Veda (Knowledge), Rig (Verse), Sama (Song).