So what does “AUM” stand for? In my opinion, from the scriptures which I have read, Mandukya Upanishad puts forward a subtle and wonderful explanation of this holy symbol. Mandukya Upanishad consists of 12 prose and it is considered to be the shortest Upanishad. It mainly focuses on the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping. There is also a fourth state of Illumination. While the the first three stages are psychological, the fourth stage is transcendental. Mandukya Upanishad was written by Sage Manduka, while Gaudapadacharya was the author of Manduka Kriya, which was written in 8th century.
AUM can be described as a mystic symbol which can be used by individual souls to attain freedom and gradually get in touch with the Ultimate Reality. AUM is aptly described as an imperishable entity mainly because it is described to be the Universe which in turn in Brahman. According the Vedas, Self is Brahman. This self has four quarters. I shall be explaining them in brief.
1) The first quarter is Vaisvanara. It is also called as a waking state. Its consciousness is outward. 2) The second quarter is Tejasa which is a dreaming state. It enjoys subtle objects and its consciousness is inwards 3) The third quarter is prajna, which is a state of deep sleep. There is no sleep or desires. In this dreamless state, one experiences the state of bliss. 4) The fourth quarter is the state of Illumination which is neither inward-turned nor outward-turned consciousness. It is invisible and intangible. This is actually Atman(Self) which has to be realized.
This Atman, which has to be realized by every individual soul, in the realm of sound is AUM. The four quarters of the Self are actually the syllables of AUM. Let me explain this in brief.
1)Vaisvanara, the waking state, corresponds to A. It encompasses all and is first. Thus the one who encompasses all the desirable objects, he becomes first.
2)Tejasa, the dreaming state, corresponds to U. It stands for excellence. Thus one who gives importance to knowledge, he will never be devoid of Brahman. 3)
Prajna, the deep sleep, is the third sound, M. M stands for measure. He who knows and measures all, becomes all.
4) The fourth state is devoid of sound. It has no manifestations, blissful and peaceful. Thus OM is the Atman. He who knows this, merges his self in the Self.
This is, in brief, the explanation of the importance of AUM as given in Mandukya Upanishad. Thus AUM, is not merely a sound. It is in fact more than a part of language or chants. It exists by itself, something called as Vastu Tantra. AUM is a cosmic vibration. We should chant it to establish a connection between ourselves and the Ultimate Reality.
P.S- Special thanks to the book by Swami Krishnanand. Prayers to you!
– Tejas Nimbargi
Taken from the blog:- tejasnimbargi.blogspot.com