OM and the Self · Chapter Overview
From The Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad, taught by Acharya T Krishnatrey. This lesson is free to read.
<pre data-block="statement"> The Upaniṣad opens with its boldest claim and its master key. Mantra 1 declares that the single syllable OM is all this — everything past, present and future, and even what lies beyond time. Mantra 2 gives the great equation of Vedānta: "All this is Brahman; this Self (ātman) is Brahman," and announces that this one Self has four quarters (catuṣpāt) — four aspects to be explored one by one. Mantra 3 opens the first quarter: Vaiśvānara, the Self in the waking state, turned outward, experiencing the gross physical world. These three mantras set the frame: OM = the Self = Brahman, examined through the states of our own consciousness. </pre>