The Mandukyo Panishad.
Translated by Eknath Eswaran.
OM stands for the Supreme Reality.
It is a symbol for what was,
What is,
And what shall be.
OM 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 state 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 them be 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 fourth is the superconscious state called Turiya,
Neither inward nor outward,
Beyond the senses and the intellect,
In which there is none other than the Lord.
This is the supreme goal of life.
This is infinite peace and love.
Realize this.
Turiya is represented by OM.
Though indivisible,
It has three sounds.
A stands for Vaishvanara.
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.
Ma corresponds to Prajna.
Those who know this,
By stealing the mind,
Find their true stature and inspire everyone around to grow.
The mantra OM stands for the supreme state of Turiya,
Without parts,
Beyond birth and death,
Symbol of everlasting joy.
Those who know OM as the Self become the Self.
Truly,
They are the Self.
OM Peace Peace Peace
