The Nada Bindu Dhyana Mantra is a meditative formula focused on the inner sound (nada) and the point (bindu), central to the practice of Nada Yoga. Its textual origin is primarily the Nada Bindu Upanishad, a minor Upanishad associated with the Rigveda, which expounds on the nature of sound as a means to realize the Supreme Brahman. The mantra is also referenced in later yoga texts such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (I.27-28), where the pranava Om is described as the symbol of Ishvara, and its repetition leads to realization of the inner self. The deity associated is Nada Brahman, the formless absolute experienced as primordial vibration.
The beej-akshara (seed syllable) is 'Om', which according to the Mandukya Upanishad (1-12) encompasses all states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the fourth (turiya). The phoneme 'Om' consists of three matras: A, U, M, and the anusvara (bindu), representing the gross, subtle, causal, and transcendent aspects. The bindu is the point of dissolution where sound merges into silence. The traditional purpose is to withdraw the mind from external distractions and absorb it into the inner sound, leading to samadhi (superconscious state).
The Nada Bindu Upanishad (verses 1-5) describes how meditating on nada destroys mental modifications and grants liberation. Recommended chanting context: practice in a quiet, dark room during brahma muhurta (pre-dawn) or at midnight. The count is typically 108 repetitions using a rudraksha mala, with the practitioner focusing on the subtle sound heard in the right ear. Ritual setting includes sitting in a comfortable asana (e.g., padmasana), performing pranayama to calm the mind, then mentally chanting Om while listening to the inner resonance.
Cautions: this practice is advanced and may cause disorientation if done without proper grounding; it should be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified guru. The mantra is not for casual recitation but for deep meditation aimed at transcending the mind.
Meditation on the inner sound and the point.
The mantra centers on the seed-syllable 'Oṁ', which comprises three matras (A, U, M) and the anusvara (bindu). A represents the waking state, U the dreaming state, M the deep sleep state, and the bindu the fourth state (turiya). The bindu is the point where sound merges into silence.