The Maitreyi Upanishad Dhyana Mantra is a contemplative verse from the Maitreyi Upanishad, one of the minor Upanishads associated with the Samaveda. This Upanishad is named after the renowned female sage Maitreyi, who appears in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.4 and 4.5) as a seeker of ultimate knowledge. The dhyana mantra is chanted to invoke the wisdom of Maitreyi and to cultivate the path of knowledge (jnana marga) leading to liberation (moksha). The mantra typically begins with 'Om' and includes phrases that meditate on the Atman (the Self) as pure consciousness, distinct from the body and mind.
According to the Maitreyi Upanishad itself, the mantra is used for contemplation on the non-dual Brahman, emphasizing renunciation (sannyasa) as a means to realize the Self. The beej-akshara 'Om' is central, representing the primordial sound and the essence of the Vedas. The phoneme 'Mai' in 'Maitreyi' is associated with the goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, while 'treyi' refers to the threefold Vedas. The traditional purpose of this mantra is to purify the mind, develop discrimination (viveka), and attain self-realization.
It is recommended to be chanted during the Brahma muhurta (early morning) or during meditation sessions, with a count of 108 repetitions using a rudraksha or crystal mala. The ideal ritual setting is a quiet, clean space with a focus on inner silence. No specific cautions are mentioned in the scriptures, but as with all upanishadic mantras, it should be chanted with reverence and understanding. The Maitreyi Upanishad (verse 1) states that the mantra leads to the realization of the Self as 'sat-chit-ananda' (existence-consciousness-bliss).
Additionally, the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (4.5.6) records Maitreyi's dialogue with Yajnavalkya, where she chooses the knowledge of immortality over wealth, underscoring the mantra's theme of renunciation. This mantra is thus a powerful tool for those on the path of jnana yoga, helping to dissolve ignorance and reveal the eternal Atman.
The meditation mantra of the Maitreyi Upanishad.
The mantra contains the seed-syllable 'Om' (ॐ), which is the primordial sound and essence of the Vedas. The phoneme 'Mai' in 'Maitreyi' is associated with the goddess Saraswati, representing wisdom.