AUM. With our ears may we hear that which is auspicious. With our eyes may we be worshipful. Devas, behold Thy glorious Dharma. Tranquil of body, tranquil of mind, may we who attune to Thee, find peace, tranquility, serenity, equanimity and Illumination.
Aum Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Part I
Hari Om — the word AUM — the Imperishable, Unchangeable Lord, is the Total Universe. Whatsoever has existed, whatsoever exists, whatsoever shall exist, is AUM. And, furthermore, whatsoever may transcend the past, the present, the future, is also truly AUM.
This Atma that is within us is the Reality; and this Atma that is external to us is also the Reality. This Atma has four quadrants.
This Atma which is one with the AUM is having three everyday modes of existence and beyond these three everyday modes of existence — different from them, and indescribable is the fourth quadrant of existence.
The first quadrant of existence is the Atma, as the collective symbol of created beings in his physical nature. This person is awake and conscious of external objects. He is having seven limbs and nineteen mouths. He truly is the enjoyer of the gross objects. He is called Vaishwanara.
The second quadrant of consciousness is the self of the dream-state — the universal person in his mental nature. This person has seven members and nineteen instruments of knowledge. This person is dreaming and is conscious of dreams. In this subtle state, he is the enjoyer of the subtle impressions of the mind. This universal person is called Taijasa.
The third mode of consciousness is the self as the universal person in the dreamless sleep. This person is without desire and sees the forms. These seemingly vanish. Since this person experiences not — neither anxiety nor strife — he is said to be blissful, and the experiencer of bliss. He is The Door leading to Knowledge (of the dream-state and wakeful-state). This state is called Prajna.
Prajna is the Lord of all. This person knows all things and is the dweller/controller in the inner-nest of all beings. This person is the origin of all and in Him they finally re-dissolve.
Part II
The fourth mode of consciousness is not a subjective experience, nor an objective experience — nor an experience of both. The fourth state is not an intermediate experience, between objectivity and subjectivity; nor is it a negative condition which is neither subconscious nor conscious. The fourth state is not relative knowledge, nor inferential knowledge, nor knowledge of the senses, for it is beyond this — nor is it unconsciousness. Beyond all impressions, beyond all expressions, beyond all understanding, beyond the senses, is the FOURTH. In short, it is pure unitive consciousness, wherein the awareness of the multiplicity of the world and the world are unified. It is therefore, ineffable peace. It is called by the wise, the Supreme Good. It is The One State of Consciousness without a second. It is the Atma. Seek it, find it, know it! It has to be realized.
Part III
This Atma, beyond all words, is the symbol AUM. This symbol, although indivisible, consists of three mother letters, which are the same as the quarters: they are A, U, M.
The self as the universal person in his physical being is (symbolically) the first letter, “A.” Whosoever becomes one with the “A” state attains all his “desires” and becomes the first among people.
The self as the universal person in his mental being is the second letter, “U.” This state stands midway between wakefulness and the dreamless sleep. Whosoever knows and becomes attuned to this state attains Superior Wisdom and is highly honored. In his family none are ignorant of the Reality. The self as the universal person in the dreamless-sleep is the letter, “M.” This state is the projector and the redissolver of all things. He is the measure and in Him everything becomes one. Whosoever is attuned to this is able to measure all and understand everything within himself.
Part IV
Now, the fourth state of consciousness of the self is the entirety, AUM — the indivisible symbol without parts or relationship — best expressed by the silence that follows the AUM. This symbol is un-utterable and beyond the mind: but not beyond consciousness. The person who attunes and relates to this symbol finds that the phenomena disappear. This state is the supreme good, One without a Second. Whoever knows AUM, whoever is attuned to AUM, the Atma, becomes the Atma. This AUM is Atma; the Atma is Brahman.
Aum Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Mandukya Upanishad Audio Lectures Audio Lecture 1 Given by Goswami Kriyananda in 1974
Audio Lecture 2 Given by Goswami Kriyananda in 1977