Friday Class: Mandukya Upanisad

About Mandukya Upanisad

The Mandukya-Upanisad is the shortest amongst the principal Upanisads having just 12 mantras but presents the quintessence of our entire teaching of Upanisads.

It analyses the entire range of human consciousness in the three states of waking (jagrata), dream (svapna) and dreamless sleep (susupti) which are common to all human beings. It asserts unequivocally that the Absolute Reality is non-dual (advaita) and attributeless (nirguna).

It has a unique method of approach to Truth. It provides a symbol for meditation in the mono-syllable AUM comprising of three sounds A,U,M, detailing its philosophical implications.

It is aptly declared by the wise ‘Mandukyam ekam eva alam mumukshunam vimuktaye’ for an ardent aspirant of Liberation the Mandukya Upanisad alone is sufficient.

This Upanisad, that belongs to the Atharva-veda, is known for the Mahavakya “ayam atma brahma” – one among the four prominent Mahavakyas.

The uniqueness of the Upanisad is explored in that the individuality is totality (the microcosm is the macrocosm) which is revealed by the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states.

Please note that registration is required for this class. For inquiries about registration, please email info@chinmayavancouver.org.