The Mandukya Upanishad, part of the Atharvaveda, is the shortest of the principal Upanishads but is considered one of the most profound. It is entirely devoted to the exposition of the sacred syllable Om (AUM) and its correlation with the four states of consciousness. The Mandukya Upanishad Omkara Dhyana Mantra is not a single mantra but a contemplative practice based on the Upanishad's teaching. The text itself (Mandukya Upanishad 1-12) describes how AUM is divided into three matras: A (अ), U (उ), and M (म), representing the waking state (jagrat), the dreaming state (svapna), and the deep sleep state (sushupti) respectively. The silence after the utterance of AUM is the fourth state, Turiya, which is the realization of the Self (Atman) as Brahman. According to the Gaudapada Karika, a commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad, the meditation on AUM leads to the realization of the non-dual reality. The beej-akshara (seed syllable) is Om itself, which is considered the primordial sound from which the entire universe emanates. Phonetically, 'A' is pronounced from the throat, 'U' from the palate, and 'M' from the lips, representing the entire range of speech and the three worlds. The traditional purpose of this dhyana mantra is to guide the practitioner through the four states of consciousness to attain self-realization and liberation (moksha). It is chanted for deep meditation, self-inquiry, and understanding the nature of reality. The recommended chanting context is during meditation, preferably in a quiet setting, at any time of day, but traditionally during Brahma Muhurta (early morning). The count is not fixed; it can be chanted as part of japa (repetition) or simply contemplated. There are no specific cautions, but it is advised to approach this mantra with reverence and a clear understanding of its philosophical depth, as it is a tool for profound spiritual insight. The Mandukya Upanishad is often studied in Vedantic traditions, and the dhyana on Om is considered a direct path to liberation, as affirmed by the Muktika Upanishad which lists the Mandukya as the foremost Upanishad for those seeking liberation.
Omkara, the syllable AUM, the four states of consciousness.