Karikas 7:

सप्रयोजनता तेषां स्वप्ने विप्रतिपद्यते । 
तस्मादाद्यन्तवत्वेन मिथ्यैव खलु ते स्मृताः ॥ ७ ॥

That the objects of the waking state can serve our purpose in life is contradicted in dream state experiences. Therefore, they are undoubtedly illusory on account of their-both waking and dream-having a beginning and an end.

Karika # 8:

अपूर्वं स्थानिधर्मो हि यथा स्वर्गनिवासिनाम् ।
तानयं प्रेक्षते गत्वा यथैवेह सुशिक्षितः ॥ ८ ॥

The objects (perceived by the dreamer), not usually met with {in the waking state) undoubtedly, owe their existence to the (peculiar) condition in which the cognizer, that is, his mind, works for the time being, as in the case of those residing in heaven. The dreamer associating himself (with the dream conditions) experiences those (objects), even as the one, well-instructed here (goes from one place to another and sees objects belonging to those places).

After establishing unreality of Swapna Prapancha in first three karikas then in karikas 4, 5 and 6 it is established that Jagrat prapancha is also mithya. Gaudapada gave reasons as to why Jagrat prapancha is Mithya, as did Shankaracharya, separately, in his commentaries.

In karika # 6, Gaudapada said, whatever is impermanent is unreal while whatever is permanent is real. Swapna prapancha and jagrat prapancha both are finite as such unreal.

Shnakaracharya said object of experience is always mithya. Whatever is an object of experience depends on subject. Without subject, object cannot be proved to exist hence it is mithya.

In Karika # 8, we did make a change in sequence of Karikas to better address continuity of theme; here a questioner was asking as to why we can’t take swapna prapancha as reality. Gaudapada refutes it by saying that whether dream is unique or not, dream depends upon the observer for its existence. Since the unique dream object depends on the dream observer, it does not have independent existence of its own and therefore it must be understood as mithya. There is no objective world existing. Ordinary and extraordinary all are dependent on subject.

In Karika # 7 another questioner says he agrees that swapna parapancha is unreal; but he says, I cannot accept Jagrat parapancha is unreal. His contention is as follows:

He disagrees with the definition that, “Whatever is impermanent or an object, is mithya.”

He wants to give a changed definition wherein Swapna parapancha is shown as unreal while Jagrat prapancha is shown as real. He now suggests four definitions, in each of which, Swapna parapancha is shown as unreal while Jagrat prapancha shown as real.

Gaudapada refutes each definition. He says, you have to accept both as unreal or both as real; the idea that one is real while other is unreal will not work. We are working to define absolute reality, while you are defining relative reality or mithya, says Gaudapada.

In karika # 7, the first definition says that utility is a criterion; thus, whatever is useful is real. Therefore, since swapna is useless, it is unreal. Questioner says, I can’t use the earning from dream state, but earnings from Jagrat avastha I can use.

Guadapada, refuting the definition says, utility of jagrat prapancha is only a relative utility. It is useful only in jagrat avastha, only useful from point of view of jagrat shariram; it is useless in swapna. No food from waking state will be useful to satiate hunger in a dream.

Furthermore, Gaudapada says, it is wrong to state that Swapna prapancha is useless; it is relatively useful in swapna avastha while it maybe useless in jagrat avatha.

Guadapada says both are real in a relative manner.

So utility is for jagrat shariram in jagrat avastha only. Similarly, Utility is for Swapna shariram in Swapna avastha. But when I shift identification it is contradicted. Thus, when I shift from swapna to jagrat the earnings are of no use. Similarly when I shift from Jagrat avastha to Turiya, (consciousness), the earnings are also useless in Turiyam state. He says impermanence is only criterion for unreality.

Karika # 9 and 10:

स्वप्नवृत्तावपि त्वन्तश्चेतसा कल्पितं त्वसत् ।
बहिश्चेतोगृहीतं सद्दृष्टं वैतथ्यमेतयोः ॥ ९ ॥
जाग्रद्वृत्तावपि त्वन्तश्चेतसा कल्पितं त्वसत् ।
बहिश्चेतो गृहीतं सद्युक्तं वैतथ्यमेतयोः ॥ १० ॥

In dream, also, what is imagined within by the mind is illusory and what is cognized outside (by the mind) appears to be real. But (in truth) both these are known to be unreal. Similarly, in the waking state, also, what is imagined within by the mind is illusory; and what is experienced outside (by the mind) appears to be real. But in fact, both should be rationally held to be unreal.

Karika # 9:

Here the questioner suggests a second, definition that proves that Swapna prapancha is unreal while Jagrat prapancha is real. He says Swapna parapancha is unreal because it is a mental projection. Dream world is within my mind as a projection, hence unreal, while Jagrat parapancha is outside me. I experience everything outside me; the desk, the people, the hall, etc; it is not a mental projection. What is within is unreal while whatever is external in reality. Whatever is external is real and whatever is internal is mithya. Externality is the criterion for reality and internality is the criterion for unreality. He suggests dream world is unreal while this world is real.

Gaudapada says: you say swapna prapancha is inside; word inside is a relative one. If asked the question, are all of you inside or outside, what will be your answer? You will probably never answer; rather you will ask, inside of what? If I say it is about this stage where I am sitting, the answer will be it is outside. So one needs to know inside or outside of what? From which stand point? From waker’s stand point it is outside. But in dream, you are performing all transactions with dream body, while waker’s body is lying on bed. From dream body point of view, the dream world is outside of it; I don’t even know I am dreaming; dream itself is only from waker’s point of view.

Now suppose you wake up and your reference point changes. From waker’s point of view Swapna parapancha is within. The same is story of Jagrat prapancha as well. Once you look at Jagrat prapancha from Jagrat body point of view it is outside hence real. But if you wake up from Jagrat prapancha to Chaitanyam, from point of view of Chaitanyam, Jagrat prapancha is also within. So, when you the change point of reference it becomes unreal; so it is a relative truth or mithya.

Karika # 10:

Suppose a person is in dream state, how to prove it is not dream until you wake up? In swapna prapancha also you talk of a world external to dream body, that you take it as real; thus you see a dream book, train, tiger etc; and they are all real. Say, in your dream (dream # 1) you go to bed and you see another dream (dream # 2). Here, per your definition, dream # 2 is unreal while dream # 1 is real. Then you wake up and both dreams # 1 and # 2 are falsified.

Gaudapada says in dream # 1 you have a dream (dream # 2), when you wake up you are in dream #1. When you wake up you are in Jagrat parapancha. He says Jagrat prapancha is also a dream, the dream # 3. Each dream was real at that time, but once you woke up it was proved as unreal.

If so, when will you have final waking up? As long as you are shifting from one object to another, as all objects are only relatively real, for that particular subject, there is no final waking up. Ultimate reality is only when you arrive at “object less- subject” or Turiyam state.

In jagrat prapancha also whatever is seen externally is real and mental projection is unreal. But in Turiyam state, jagrat prapancha becomes dream # 3; so jagrat prapancha is also mithya. So externality as criterion of reality is incorrect. Hence second definition is ruled out. First definition of utility was also shown as unreal.

Karika # 14:

चित्तकाला हि येऽन्तस्तु द्वयकालाश्च ये बहिः ।
कल्पिता एव ते सर्वे विशेषो नान्यहेतुकः ॥ १४ ॥

Those that are cognized within only as long as the thought of them lasts, as well as those that are perceived.by the senses and that conform to two points of time, are all mere imaginations. There is no other ground for differentiating the one from the other.

Swamiji jumped to karika # 14 from karika # 10 for the third definition. He said he is rearranging karikas for purpose of continuity.

In karika # 14, the questioner suggests a third definition of reality that says Jagrat prapancha is real while Swapna parapancha is unreal; he says whatever has an objective existence is real while whatever has subjective existence is unreal.

Elaboration of questioner’s position:

Subjective existence means dependent on Me as long as I see it.

Objective existence means, it exists, whether I see it or not.

My house, my car, all I know exist. So, does my car exist outside? Car exists even when I don’t see it. Whether I experience it or not, it exists. Object exists independent of me.

In dream, I see, I am saving a drowning person; just as I am about to bring him out, I wake up. Did he fall back in the well? But now, in the waking state, I am not worried about it anymore. You know he existed only in dream. So Swapna prapancha was subjective existence; it did not have a continued existence. Hence dream is unreal, as it has no objective existence Thus, objectivity is criterion for reality. Subjective existence is criterion for unreality.

Gaudapada’s rebuttal:

Gaudapada says this definition will not work. In dream you attend a class and you have parked the car. This swapna world, the dream, it is not just a projection of mind; it is a real world for the dreamer. Only on waking, Swapna Prapancha becomes unreal. Similarly, Jagrat prapancha is also unreal from Chaitanyam state’s point of view.

So, object within you, in dream, have only a subjective existence, hence unreal. Whatever is outside is from dreamer’s stand point of view. Upon waking, internal world and external world, both in dream state, are proven as unreal. So, these internal external distinctions have nothing to do with reality. Both are falsified upon waking. In a similar manner Jagrat parapancha is also unreal once you wake up in Chaitanyam.

Hence the hypothesis that states objective existence is real and subjective existence is unreal does not have any merit.

Karika  15:

अव्यक्ता एव येऽन्तस्तु स्फुटा एव च ये बहिः । 
कल्पिता एव ते सर्वे विशेषस्त्विन्द्रियान्तरे ॥ १५ ॥

(Things) which are (experienced) within are not clear. (Things) which are (experienced) outside are clear. All of them are projected only. The distinction is due to a different sense organ.

The questioner poses his fourth definition. He says whatever is clearly experienced is real. Thus clarity of experience is real. Vagueness of experience indicates it is unreal. Everybody dreams. Some remember the dream and some do not. Even when you remember, it is vague; hence it is unreal.

Jagrat prapancha meanwhile is clear; hence it is real.

Gaudapada says this is a relative definition only. He says clarity depends on instrument used. The way you see depends on your organ of sight. With different set of organs, you will see differently. Some animals are color blind. If I have the sense organs of a dog, I will see everything vastly differently. If I have sense organs that can see at atomic level, I will see everything as atoms.

Dream world is very clear with dream sense organs; it becomes vague only with waker’s sense organs.

If I should only have four sense organs, say like a blind person, the world of color will not exist for me. Imagine a person with a sixth sense organ; he will see world very differently as it depends on all sense organs. Hence world is only a relative reality.

So, he says, that which is within us, in Swapna Prapancha, is vague, where as external world for dreamer is very clear, hence real, as long as dream continues. On waking up, the outside world becomes unreal.

Clarity and non-clarity depend on organs one uses. World of human beings is different from that of animals. Even world of man is different from that of a woman.

Take Away:

If so, when will you have final waking up? Ultimate reality is only when you arrive at “object less- subject” or Turiyam state.

Dream itself is only from waker’s point of view.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Shloka # 4:

अन्तःस्थानात्तु भेदानां तस्माज्जागरिते स्मृतम् ।
यथा तत्र तथा स्वप्ने संवृतत्वेन भिद्यते ॥ ४ ॥

Different objects cognized in dream are illusory because they are being perceived to exist. For the same reason the objects seen in the waking state are also to be considered as illusory. Just as in the waking state, so also in the dream, the nature of objects remains the same. The only difference is the limitation of space in case of dream objects, they being seen in the within.

Continuing his teaching, Swamiji said, in Chapter 2 Guadapada is establishing Mithyatvam of Universe and Jagrat Prapancha. To establish Mithyatvam he takes dream as an example. He establishes dream is mithya using Sruti, Yukti and Anubhava Pramana’s in Karikas 1,2 and 3 respectively. Having established Swapna Mithyatvam, he extended it to Jagrat Prapancha as well. Just as objects are Mithya in swapna avastha so also objects are mithya in jagrat avastha. Gaudapada admits that objects in both states are different. Objects in Swapna avastha are experienced inside our body while objects in Jagrat avastha are experienced outside our body. However, objects in both avasthas are mithya.

Swapna Prapancha is Mithya because of non-availability of space and time. The dream is inside the body and exists in a confined space.  However, in Jagrat prapancha Uchit Desha and Kala; time and space, both are available; if so, why is it Mithya, was the question raised? Gaudapada gives the reason later but he says end result is that they are both Mithya. He gives the reasons why they are Mithya now.

Karika # 5:

स्वप्नजागरितस्थाने ह्येकमाहुर्मनीषिणः । 
भेदानां हि समत्वेन प्रसिद्धेनैव हेतुना ॥ ५ ॥

The thoughtful persons speak of the sameness of the waking and dream states on account of the similarity of the diverse objects perceived in these two states and on the well-known grounds already described.

The dream experienced object and waking experienced object, both are very similar; both being Mithya. Wise people declare that both experiences and objects are Mithya. Objects are very similar in both cases. The word Bheda in the karika means distinct object experienced in waking and dream states with time and space available in Jagrat avastha. However, there is one difference; in Jagrat Prapancha object is outside the body while in Swapna Prapancha it is inside our body.

Why is Jagrat Prapancha Mithya? He answers that it is so because of well known reasons to wise people or one’s with knowledge of scriptures. What is that reason? Here we cannot use Uchita desha kala abhava as a reason. Two reasons are cited.

First reason: Shankaracharya, in his commentary, says, something mind boggling to us. He says Jagrat Prapancha is Mithya because you see it and since you are experiencing it. It is similar to experiencing Swapna Prapancha. He uses a generalization that says: whatever, is experienced by you is Mithya,

If, whatever is experienced by you is Mithya, what is Satyam? Shankaracharya says, whatever is not seen by you, is Satyam; if we can think of such a thing; it is non-existent. He says, whatever is existent, but not experienced by you, is Satyam; that is the Experiencer, the Subject, is Satyam. In both prapanchas, the objects are all Mithya. How do you say so? Shankaracharya does not provide an explanation for this.

Our reasoning for this is as follows. I have discussed it in my introduction to Mandukya Upanishad as well. Whatever is an object of experience, its existence will depend on the Subject alone. Existence of subject, however, does not depend on Object.

If there is an object that cannot be experienced by anyone, then you can’t talk of existence of object. Existence depends on Knowability and Knowability depends on Knower. So, existence of object depends on subject.

Citing an example, suppose I dream that I am saving a drowning person and having partially saved him, I wake up. Now, do I worry about that partially rescued person? You know the object does not exist. Thus, object has dependent existence on subject. Subject has independent existence; it is not dependent on object. Vedanta says, whatever has independent existence is Satyam. While whatever has dependent existence is Mithya. Citing example of a pot, it does not have an existence separate from Clay; it is dependent on clay for its existence; in fact it is clay alone.

Shankaracharya says both Swapna Prapancha and Jagrat Prapancha are Mithya. This is the well-known reason.

Normally we say, when we see something, it is real. However, Shankarcharya says, when we see something, it is Mithya.

Karika # 6:

आदावन्ते च यन्नास्ति वर्तमानेऽपि तत्तथा |
वितथैः सदृशाः सन्तोऽवितथा इव लक्षिताः || 6 ||

That which is non-existent in the beginning and in the end, is necessarily so even in the present (in other words, in middle). Those (objects) are like illusions we see and yet they are regarded as though real

Second Reason:

Now Gaudapada gives the second reason why objects are Mithya. He says, whatever is finite (Anityam) is Mithya while whatever is Nityam (present in all three states of time) is Satyam. Tatva bodha also gives a definition that states that one that exists in all three states of time (past, present, future) is Satyam. Any finite object enjoys existence for a limited duration; namely after date of birth and before date of expiration; thus, a pot exists only during a limited duration of time.

If a finite object has limited existence, then its existence is not its intrinsic nature; it is only an incidental property.

Fire enjoys heat as it’s intrinsic nature; hence it is always hot; conversely, water enjoys heat only for a limited time; hence its heat remains only for a limited time. Intrinsic nature is permanent while finite nature is limited.

Citing an example, a person wanted to remove the onion smell from an onion. He placed it in a chamber and did abhishekam of sandal wood paste and kalpuram for three hours; but at end of it, the onion still smelled as it was. Thus, Palandu does not lose its intrinsic nature. So, finite has only borrowed existence. Similarly, pot borrows existence from clay and when pot is destroyed it goes back to clay. Before its creation pot did not exist; in between it did exist. Gaudapada says, even during its brief existence the “Is-ness” does not belong to pot; it belongs to clay alone. Thus, pot was not there, before or after or in-between; it has only a seeming existence; a borrowed existence from clay. This seeming existence is called Mithya.

The world is also like the pot. Before creation there was no world; after destruction too there is no world; in between, its existence was borrowed from something else called Atma or Brahman. Atma exists in all three periods of time. World has only a seeming existence.

Suppose an object was not there in past or will be in future but exists in present; even when you are holding a pot, the “is ness” does not belong to Pot but is borrowed from clay. Remove clay and see if pot exists? Pot has only borrowed existence. Therefore Pot is Mithya. Similarly, the sweetness in milk belongs to sugar. So, whole world is Mithya; like any other unreal object in world; like snake and rope; like dream objects etc. The world just appears to be Satyam to a non-thinking person. Upon enquiry this appearance goes away.

Thus, Jagat Prapancha is mithya as it is also finite like Swapna Prapancha

Karikas 7 and 8:

सप्रयोजनता तेषां स्वप्ने विप्रतिपद्यते । 
तस्मादाद्यन्तवत्वेन मिथ्यैव खलु ते स्मृताः ॥ ७ ॥

That the objects of the waking state can serve our purpose in life is contradicted in dream state experiences. Therefore, they are undoubtedly illusory on account of their-both waking and dream-having a beginning and an end.

अपूर्वं स्थानिधर्मो हि यथा स्वर्गनिवासिनाम् । 
तानयं प्रेक्षते गत्वा यथैवेह सुशिक्षितः ॥ ८ ॥

The objects perceived by the dreamer when they are such a unique nature as not easily met within the waking state, undoubtedly owe their existence to the practical condition in which the dreamer with his mind works for the time being, as in case of those residing in heaven. The dreamer, associating himself with dream conditions, experiences those objects just as a well-informed person goes from one place to another and sees the objects belonging to that place.

Swamiji said I will explain Karika # 8 first and then come back to Karika # 7.

Karika # 8:

Gaudapada has said Swapna prapancha is mithya as is Jagrat prapancha; two reasons are given for it. One reason is attributed to Gaudapada and another to Shankaracharya.

Now a student asks a question. In Student’s vision Swapna Prapancha is real. Generally, Swapna is considered unreal; but there are some philosophers including those of Vishishta Advaita, who say Swapna Prapancha is real.

They say the vasanas formed in our jagrat avastha come up in Swapna. This philospher says, I don’t accept Swapna Prapancha as mithya as in dream; we do see unique things that we had not experienced in the waking state. Dream must be another unique different world of experience and so must be taken as satyam. Since the waking state is similar to dream, it must also be satyam. Some darshanas like vishishtadvaita hold that dream is not our mental projection but created by God for a particular jiva. Thus uniqueness is the criterion for reality. Waking and dream are both unique in their own way and both must be taken as satyam.

Gaudapada’s answer is that uniqueness cannot be taken as criterion for reality. We do have several mental projections unique to us. If uniqueness is criterion for reality, whatever we uniquely project can be considered to be real. That is not so and the argument that uniqueness is the criterion of reality is simplistic. No one accepts dream as real. Whether dream is unique or not, dream depends upon the observer for its existence. Since the unique dream object depends on the dream observer, it does not have independent existence of its own and therefore it must be understood as mithya. There is no objective world existing.

Even accepting Vasishta advaitins assumptions, Gaudapada says Swapna Prapancha is Mithya. The reasons are as follows:

The type of world that we experience will depend upon the type of instruments that we use. Suppose we are using eyes, the world will be understood as the world of forms. The moment you remove the eyes and use only the ears, the world will be the world of sounds. Depending upon the instrument, the world will be experienced differently. If instead of a human body we have an animal body, this world experience will be unique to the animal body. Many animals cannot see colors and for them this world will be black and white only. Vedanta says that we do not experience the world objectively but our experience depends on the instrument that we use. The moment a human being gets a celestial body, he will experience a celestial world here and now. Citing the example: In heaven there are unique objects such as white elephant, special chariots etc. Even these are dependent on observer in heaven or heavenly observer dependent.

Gaudapada gives another example of experiencing different things in different places with the observer being the same. Just as a well-educated person travels from place to place experiencing different things in this earth itself, similarly, the jivatma travels from loka to loka experiencing different things in different births. All these experiences are dependent upon the observer for their existence and dependent upon the instruments of

Experience for their nature. Uniqueness cannot be the criterion for reality.

In karika the words Sthani means Observer and Dharma means dependent.

Shloka # 7: Another question comes up.

Previous student did not accept Swapna Prapancha was unreal. Now, a second student says, I am willing to accept Swapna Prapancha is unreal but I can’t accept Jagrat Prapancha is unreal because whatever money I earn in dream, I don’t find any utility at all; but I can’t say that of Jagrat prapancha. In Jagrat prapancha the money is available and useful. So definition of reality has to be change.

His contention is that: Whatever is useful must be accepted as real. Utility must be a criterion for reality.

He also contends that whatever is useless, is unreal. Hence Swapna Prapancha is mithya while Jagrat Prapancha is real. This is question raised by a student.

Gaudapada refutes this by saying that this definition does not work.

He says waking state objects are useful in the waking state only. Dream objects are useless in the waking state but are useful in the dream state. In fact, dream objects alone are useful in the dream state; such as dream water, dream food etc. Each object is useful in its state and useless in the other state. Utility in the respective state is common to both waking and dream and uselessness in the other state is common to both. Therefore both states should be given the same status of reality. The utility of the waker’s objects is falsified in dream. Thus, utility is not a criterion for reality. That which is beginning-less and eternal alone is real. Eternity is the criterion of reality. So the waking world is mithya.

Truth is that Reality is not relative. So swapna parapancha is unreal. Jagrat prapancha is also unreal even though it is useful in jagrat avastha. So utility is not a criterion for Reality.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Greetings All,

Continuing his teaching, Swamiji said, I said in last class in Vaithatya Prakaranam, Gaudapada establishes Mithyatvam of world. It is not directly mentioned but indirectly revealed through Prapancha Upashamanam. This method is called Shruti Pramananam or Shrutyartharthi pramanam; which means obtaining knowledge indirectly from scriptures.

What is reality can’t be negated. We can’t say world is not existing as we experience it everyday. That which is experienced, yet is not reality, is called Mithya. The English word closest to Mithya probably is unreal. Gaudapada establishes this mithyatavam from Prapancha Upashamanam.

Mithyatvam’s closest example is dream. It is experienced by all of us. In dream we see that it is very real, giving us pleasure and pain. Dream also has utility value when we are actually in a dream; despite all this we know dream is not real. So best example for mithya is swapna.

In first three shlokas of this chapter Gaudapada establishes swapna is mithya. That swapna is mithya is established through Yukti, Shruti and Anubhava pramanam’s and he does so systematically.

He uses Vyapti for generalization thus he says where there is smoke there is fire. The statement, “a mountain is on fire as it has smoke” is analyzed as shown below ,using Gaudapada’s logic:

1. Mountain is the paksha or locus about which I make an inference.
2. Mountain has fire; it is called sadhyam or conclusion.
3. Because there is smoke, the indicator, it is also known as Hetuhu or the reason.
4. Drishtantaha: means an example, as in a yagashala; because it is in a yagashala that you get Vyapti Gyanam or knowledge for inference.

This method of logic is now used to show Swapna is Mithya. Vyapti here means knowledge of co-existence of smoke and fire. Here Vyapti is a generalization. When we see an object in jagrat avastha as real, we observe that the object requires an area and volume (space) for existence, also known as Uchita Desha in Sanskrit. Not only volume of space, every object also needs duration (time) for its existence.

Einstein talked of four coordinates, the fourth one being time, indicated by date of origin and expiration. Every object requires a time.

Existence of events also requires duration of time. In Gita classes a question comes up. Swamiji, you teach the 700 verses of Gita in five years or 250 hours, describing the teaching in battlefield; how did Sri Krishna teach all 18 chapters in the duration of a battle? The basis for this question is because every event requires a specific duration of time and if specific duration of time is not convincing, you tend not to believe it.

Conversely if you find an object or event without enough space or time we conclude that object or event is not a real thing. Hence, some say Gita was an invention of Vyasa, as there is a time and space issue. They don’t accept the teaching as real due to a lack of time requirement.

When you see a reflection of an elephant in a mirror, mirror has flat surface and an elephant can’t stand on a flat mirror. You accept elephant in mirror as mithya or unreal reflection, knowing a real elephant can’t stand on the flat surface of a mirror; so the elephant reflection is an unreal one as there is not enough space for an elephant to exist on the mirror. Thus, when sufficient space is not there, that event is mithya.

Applying this logic Gaudapada says, dream world is also mithya as it lacks time and space for dream to exist as reality. Hence dream is unreal. This is the beginning of Vaithatya prakaranam.

Karika # 1:

वैतथ्यं सर्वभावानां स्वप्न आहुर् मनीषिणः ।
अन्तःस्थानात् तु भावानां संवृतत्वेन हेतुना ॥ १ ॥

The wise declare all objects of the dream as illusory, they all being located within the body and also because of their being in a confined space.

This shloka logically establishes swapna prapancha as mithya. First logic is lack of space; like elephant in a mirror. Dream objects and events are subjective things within our minds, not outside it; else others in the world would also see your dream.

Thus, swapna objects are subjective things in my mind. In dream we see elephants although it requires not an ordinary amount of space. We can’t accommodate an elephant, but we see elephant, moon, stars etc in dream space. So wise people say all objects in our dream are mithya. A special all pervading space is created within my head. Why is it unreal? It is because all objects reside within myself. What is wrong with it? The space within me, within my head is limited or insufficient for a real elephant, or a mountain etc., to exist. Now in next shloka he talks of events that also are mithya as they occur in insufficient space.

Shloka # 2:

अदीर्घत्वाच्च कालस्य गत्वा देशान्नपश्यति । 
प्रतिबुद्धश्च वै सर्वस्तस्मिन्देशे न विद्यते ॥ २ ॥

On account of the shortness of time, it is not possible for the dreamer to go and see the dream objects. Nor does the dreamer when he wakes up, indeed find himself in all the places seen in the dream.

Yukti pramanam: (by joining together)

In previous shloka “things” were proved as unreal in dream. In this shloka “events” are shown as unreal in dream. Consider a dream trip to Mansarovar. You have to reach an airport, then fly and then trek to mansarovar; but duration of a dream-time is only about 8 hours during your sleep time. Within the span of a dream, during our sleep, we manage to see events such as our marriage, children and even grand children. They say an actual dream only lasts only for about a minute and a half. So, all events are unreal as there is not sufficient time. So, he really does not go to mansarovar. They are all unreal projections of our mind.

Keep in mind that we are accepting it all as unreal in our waking state; in dream state we will not accept our dream as unreal. People pray before going to bed so that they don’t get bad dreams. Why this worry; because our dream experience is very real, during our dream. Vedanta says our waking state is also a mithya. Thus we get Yukti pramanam. Thus, mirror located elephant yukti pramanam is over.

Pratyaksha Pramanam:

(perception)

In second line of this shloka we get Pratyakhsa pramanam from our experiences. Suppose in dream we went to Kashi; we saw many cows there; and one cow pushes you and you wake up. If it was a real cow you should have woken up in Kashi, but reality is that you woke up in Chennai. From this it is clear we never went anywhere in dream. After waking from dream one does not experience that he is in dream place, hence dream places, dream travel, dream cows, are all, unreal. This is Prathyaksha Pramana.

Shloka # 3:

Shruti and shastra pramanam.

(convincing illustrations on the subject matter which is beyond senses/common cognition)

अभावश्च रथादीनां श्रूयते न्यायपूर्वकम् । 
वैतथ्यं तेन वै प्राप्तं स्वप्न आहुः प्रकाशितम् ॥ ३ ॥

Strictly conforming to reason and logic, Sruti also declares non-existence of the chariots and so on, perceived in his dream by the dreamer. Moreover, it is said by the seers that Sruti herself declares the illusory nature of dream experiences, and establishes the same through logic and reason.

Shruti Pramanam:

In Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Ch 4., section 3, the waking, dream and sleep states are discussed. In swapna there is nothing. Everything is a mental projection. There are no vehicles, no roads, etc; we manage to project them in our mind. They are mithya even though we experience them. “ Experience does not prove reality” is the lesson of Upanishad. Gaudapada shakes us even further with his declaration that, “ Whatever you experience is not real. There is only one reality, the “ Subject” alone is real.”

This is knowledge of shruti. Therefore unreality is established logically and it is also asserted in Upanishad. The fact is swapna prapancha is mithya.

Shloka # 4:

अन्तःस्थानात्तु भेदानां तस्माज्जागरिते स्मृतम् ।
यथा तत्र तथा स्वप्ने संवृतत्वेन भिद्यते ॥ ४ ॥

Different objects cognized in dream are illusory because they are being perceived to exist. For the same reason the objects seen in the waking state are also to be considered as illusory. Just as in the waking state, so also in the dream, the nature of objects remains the same. The only difference is the limitation of space in case of dream objects, they being seen in the within.

With first three shlokas first topic that swpana Prapancha is mithya, is over. From shlokas 4 through 18, Gaudapada is going to give us a shocking revelation. Our normal thinking is that this world is real while dream world is unreal; this is your assumption, says Gaudapada. He says, even the  Jagrat prapancha is unreal. This has to be very carefully understood and assimilated or it can cause confusion.

When we say dream is unreal, we say this after waking up, as a “Waker”. So it is a Waker’s point of view. However, in dream, from dreamer’s point of view, dream is very real; as whatever happens in dream affects the dreamer. When a dog bites the dreamer, he will feel it and go to a dream doctor and take dream medicine and even pay in dream money. So, one has to think from an appropriate point of view.

Citing an example, a man drank too much at a pub and started seeing double. He asked owner how much he drank. Although he drank only one bottle, pub owner with an intention to cheat said you drank two bottles; and since he was seeing doubles anyway, he said you have to pay for two bottles at Rs 100 each. The drunk took out a hundred-rupee note and said it was Rs 200 for the two bottles; he was still seeing doubles.

Similarly, for dream body, dream world is very real. So also from waker’s point of view this world is very real. Once you wake up, the dream world is now mithya. Similarly, once you shift to Turiyam standpoint, jagrat avastha is also mithya. Thus, Swapna prapancha is real for swapna shariram while Jagrat prapancha is real for sthula shariram. Both are in fact “unreal” in respective jagrat and Turiyam states.

Therefore wise people declare world is Mithya in jagrat avastha, as well. So jagrat prapancha is exactly like dream world. Is there any difference between two states? Between mithya jagrat prapancha and mithya swapna prapancha, Jagrat prapancha is outside of body while swapna prapancha is inside body. The common factor between both states is Mithyatvam.

I accept Swapna prapancha as mithya as it does not have time and space. But Jagrat prapancha has enough time and space; if so why is it Mithya?

Take Away:

“ Experience does not prove reality” is the lesson of Upanishad. Gaudapada shakes us even further with his declaration that, “ Whatever you experience is not real. There is only one reality, the “ Subject” alone is real.”

Once you wake up from dream, the dream world is now mithya. Similarly, once you shift to Turiyam standpoint, jagrat avastha is also mithya.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Greetings All,

Swamiji said we have completed Ch.1 called agama prakranam. It has this name as the Upanishad occurs in this chapter and Vedas, Upanishad is a part of Vedas, are called Agama. Vedas come from god through Guru shishya parampara in a flow. This pipeline is guru shishya parampara. The word Agama also has another meaning; it means Agama Shastra, which are not the Vedas. This agama is different from Vedas but also originates from God and comes through to us in a parampara. Thus Shaiva agama shastra describes how to build Shiva temples; Vishnu Agama shastra, again deals with how to build Vishnu temples, etc, they all deal with temples, worship, and mantras. While we accept agama shastra for purposes of worship and their methods of puja we don’t accept their philosophy. In Mandukya Upanishad, Agama means Vedas themselves. Since Mandukya Upanishad occurs in Chapter 1, hence it is part of Vedas; hence it is called Agama Prakaranam. The Karikas in Ch. 1 are subsidiary to the Upanishad.

Now we are going to enter Ch. 2. called Vaithatya prakaranam that has 38 verses. All 38 verses are karikas. In these 38 karikas Gaudapada analyzes an important word that occurs in Mandukya Upanishad’s mantra # 7. The focus is on the word “Prapancha Upashamam”(PU). This word when compounded in Sanskrit reads as Prapanchoupashamam. This word is analyzed in this chapter. Another crucial word occurring in mantra # 7 is “ Advaitam”. This word is of deep significance. This word is analyzed in Chapter # 3, consisting of 48 Karikas. Now we will find the connection between PU (Prapancha Upashamanam) and Chapter 1. The word is used to define Turiyam, the Prapanchoupashamam, the fourth quarter of Atma. What does it mean? Prapancha means Universe; it also refers to the three fold prapanchas described in padas 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Pada # 1 is Sthula Prapancha or gross universe; Pada # 2 is Sukshma prapancha, subtle universe and the third pada is Karana Prapancha, the causal state.

Whenever we use of the word Prapancha in mandukya Upanishad it means Pada Trayam and they should rise in our minds.

Upashamaha means free from all three prapanchas or the Turiyam. In Turiya Chaitanyam the three padas don’t exist; that is Vishwa, the waker; Taijasa, the dreamer; and Pragya, the sleeper, all are absent in Turiyam. Through this the entire world is negated in Turiyam. This word, Upashamaha, is also called Prapancha Nisheda padam, a world destroying word.

What is significance of world negation, a very important part of Vedanta teaching? What is world negation? What can you negate? Do you negate an existing thing or a non-existing thing? Does negation have an object? Vedanta says both are not possible. An existent thing cannot be negated because it is existent. Can you negate a non-existent thing? Vedanta says, since it does not exist, it need not be negated. So, whatever else is negated should be different from an existing thing or a non-existing thing. Negated thing can’t be under Sat category and negated thing can’t be under Asat category as well. So it should be Sat Asat Vilakshanam. Therefore Vedanta says prapancha, the world negated by Upanishad, is not under Sat nor Asat category; it comes under Sat Asat Vilakshanam category. This comes from mantra # 7.

If world is not under “existing” or not under “non-existing” categories, Vedanta says it comes under “ seemingly existing category”; or “apparently existing category”; or per Vedanta, under “Mithya category”.

There are many examples given by Vedanta such as: Mirage water, that appears as if it is existing but when you get close you realize it is negated. Similarly, with Rope and snake; it is also as though existing, but it is not existing as when I go near it; it is not there. It makes me afraid; hence it is not a part of non-existing category. Now, dream is neither “in existing: nor “non-existing” category. So Prapanchoupashamam is Mithyatvam. Mithya has no good English translation. The closest one can mean is “ unreality”.  Upanishad does not use the word Mithya; it uses word Prapancha.

The chapter is called Vaithatyaprakaranam; Vaithatya means Mithyatvam or unreal or unreality and prakaranam means chapter. So this chapter is unreality-revealing chapter, Unreality of the three padas. What is conclusion arrived at from enquiry is described in chapter # 3.

Conclusion briefly:

Since whole world is Mithya, it should not be with Turiyam. Rope snake can’t be counted to pull up anything. Dream money can’t be counted for buying a house. What ever is mithya should not be counted upon. World is “as good as not there”. There is no first, second and third padas; there is only Turiyam. Hence it is Turiyam. World is and will be experienced, but it is mithya.

Corollary of Prapanchoupashamam is Turiya advaitam. Then comes final question, if Turiyam is advaitam, how do you account for the word Turiyam, the fourth pada? The statement the fourth one is non-dual is not a right one. Vedanta says, ignorant people say it is the fourth; but wise people don’t call it that. Wise people call it Advaitam. So chapter 2 will naturally lead to advaitam. So PU and Advaitam are complementary.

So chapter two’s content is unreality of world. Upanishad has revealed this unreality of world but Gaudapada wants to re-establish the Vedantic teaching. So method of reasoning used must be known. Some idea of it comes from Indian system of logic known as Nyaya shastra and tarka shastra, that are methods of reasoning. The field is called epistemology.

It is used up in this Upanishad.

Method of reasoning: Before using the method you should gather general knowledge, gathered by perception, also known as Vyapti or co-existence. Citing example of co-existence, fire and smoke co-exist. In olden days Yagas were performed and they experienced that where there is smoke there is fire. This is knowledge of coexistence or Vyapti gyanam. Nowadays you can see it for example in cigarette smoke.

Then suppose one day you see at a distance on a hill only the smoke. Fire is not visible to your eye. Here you apply “ where there is smoke, there is fire” logic. You infer there is fire there. It is not perceptual knowledge; it is inferential knowledge. Inference is presented in a particular manner called “Anumana Vakhyana”.

It should have four components per Tarka shastra:

1. Mountain is the paksha or locus about which I make an inference.
2. Mountain has fire; it is called sadhyam or conclusion.
3. Because there is smoke, the indicator, it is also known as Hetuhu or the reason.
4. Drishtantaha: an example, as in a yagashala. Because in yagashala you got Vyapti Gyanam or knowledge for inference.

Gaudapada uses this method of Indian logic to arrive at unreality of world. Gaudapada calls world of existence s jagrat prapancha, experienced only in waking state.

His analysis of jagrat prapancha is as follows:

Pakshaha: Jagrat parapancha is the locus.

Sadhyam: Conclusion reached is , it is unreal or mithya.

Hetuhu: I will give reason later on the sixth karika.

Drishtatantaha: the example is swapna prapancha.

Inference is jagrat prapancha is mithya like the dream world. But there is a problem. If you give swapna parapancha as an example, will all people accept swapna prapancha as unreal?

Citing an example: Someone says, he is intelligent like Einstein. We accept Einstein was intelligent. So example has to be acceptable to teacher and student. Similarly all accepts the fact that Swapna prapancha, dream world is unreal, and then it is fine. Generally most people accept Swapna is unreal. But there are some philosophies that don’t accept this. For them this example will not work; so gaudapada keeps jagrit prapancha aside for now.

He starts with Swapna prapancha and seeks to establish it is unreal. So once swapna prapancha is proved unreal then we can then go to Jagrat prapancha.

So first topic is swapna prapancha mithyatvam in karikas 1,2 and 3. Thereafter using swapna parapancha as an example he establishes jagrat prapancha’s mithyatvam; this is in karikas 4 through 18.

Gaudapada establishes this through Shruti pramanam, Yukti pramanam and Anubhava Pramanam; using all three he establishes Swapna prapancha is mithya. He first uses Yukti, reasoning; then Shruti, scriptures; then anubhava, experience. Thus he establishes Swampa Prapancha mithyatvam.

Take Away:

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Swamiji gave his summary of chapter 1 also known as Agama Prakaranam, today. In introduction to this Upanishad he had previously indicated that it has four chapters in it.

The first chapter is called agamaprakaranam. This chapter contains the entire Upanishad and 29 karikas. The second chapter is called Vaitathyaprakaranam containing 38 karikas on the mithya nature of the universe. The third chapter is titled Advaitaprakaranam containing 48 karikas dealing with the non-dual nature of atma. The fourth chapter is called Alatashantiprakaranam containing 100 karikas, which clear all the possible objections to the teaching contained in the Upanishad.

Of the four chapters the first one, agama prakaranam, consists of 12 mantras of the Upanishad and the 29 Karikas written by Gaudapada. The 12 mantras belong to Atharvana Veda and are supposed be revelations by God himself. Shankaracharya’s guru’s guru, Gaudapada, however, wrote Karikas. Karika means a commentary in verse. Among the 12 mantras and 29 karikas, prominence is given to the 12 mantras since they are from Upanishad and it is the focus of chapter 1 and is of importance from a Vedic perspective. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 are all about Karikas.

Gist of the Upanishad portion or Mantras of Chapter 1:

Mandukya Upanishad was revealed through Manduka Rishi in the Atharvana Veda.

The first two mantras introduce two types of Vicharas:

1) Chatushpada Atma Vichara or the four facets of Self.

2) Second enquiry is Chatur matra Omkara Vichara. It has four sounds of Omkara.

Both the Atma Vichara and Omkara Vichara are performed to arrive at the absolute reality.

Mantras # 3 through # 7 deal with Chatushpada Atma Vichara.  The essence of these mantras is that they are talking about the four aspects of “I” the Atma.

Mantras # 8 through # 12 deal with Chatur matra Omkara Vichara.

Discussing Mantras # 3- # 7, the following points were made:

1. The first I, is obtained in Waking state and is the “Waker I”. I in waking state is endowed with various attributes such as weight, size, individuality etc. This is the “attributed I” in jagrit avastha. Here, I comes in contact with external world. It is a finite and limited I. This I is described in mantra # 3. This I also goes by the names of Vishwa and Virat.
2. The second I is obtained in dream state or the dreamer I. I functions through the projected dream body; the sukhma shariram with attributes determined by dream body. The second and Saguna I, is in the dream state. This I is also finite and limited. This I is also called Taijasa and Hiranyagarbha.
3. The third I is obtained in sleep state. Here, I am not in waking or dream body; here body is in resolved condition. Sleeper I is also an “attributed I”. In sleep all attributes are in dormant state or in their potential state. Thus, the “Father I” during the waking and dream states is in a dormant state here. All attributes are dormant as well. It is also a state that is limited and finite. Here limitations are also in dormant condition.  The sleeper I is called Pragya and Ishwara. These are technical names given by Upanishad. This is addressed in mantras # 5 and # 6.
4. My fourth aspect is my real nature, the core nature, also known as Turiyam or Sakshi I. Thus, witness I is free from all attributes. It is the “attribute-less I” or nirguna I. It is described in the most important mantra # 7. This I is attribute-less and limitless. Thus, for every one of our assertions there are many negations. When I say, I am man; I am also saying I am not woman; not an animal; not a pencil etc; all negations. For one assertion there are many negations. Thus, attributes limit an object, while Turiyam is the limitless I. This is the essential I; it is Shantam; Shivam (ananda) and immortality; all three are possible only in Turiyam. So, if you want Shantam, Shivam and Immortality you have to know Turiyam for liberation.

How can I know Turiyam?

I can know Saguna I in waking state. I can know Saguna I in dream sate; I can know saguna I in Sleep state, if so, in which state can I know nirguna I or Turiyam I?

If the three associations result in Vishva, Taijasa and Prajna, what is the Turiyam? What association does

Turiyam have? Turiyam is the name of the atma when it is dissociated from all the three states. I myself,

as consciousness principle, am Turiyam. How do I become Turiyam?

Now mantra # 7 does not talk of a fourth state at all; so where is nirguna I available? The Upanishad says, the nirguna I has to be discovered through the “attributed I” or Saguna I.

Turiyam is available in Vishwa, Taijasa and Pragya states. So there is no need for a fourth state. So, remain in jagrat avastha, analyze and gain Turiyam.

If so, how do I arrive at nirguna I from Saguna I?

Swamiji says it is quiet simple, Saguna I minus gunas gives you nirguna I.

Thus, “Father I” minus fatherhood equals nirguna I. In this manner negate all attributes about yourself and it takes you to Turiyam I.

How do I remove the attributes?

Upanishad says you need not remove attributes at all. I, the consciousness, can never be associated with attributes; just as the light on the hand, does not take on the impurities of the body because light is asangaha. Similarly, I, the consciousness, am also free of attributes. Attributed I does not exist in reality. My thought that I have attributes was born out of my misconceptions. I have to know that I am attribute-less at all times. Citing an example, to illustrate the point, you see a movie on the screen and there you see the very dirty Cuvam River. You want to purify the screen. Swamiji says the screen is pure even when the dirty Cuvam is shown on screen. Screen is not touched by the movie. Therefore, I am the screen-like consciousness; I just have to know that I am free of attributes and knowledge removes these attributes. When I add attributes to waking state, I am Vishwa; when I, add attributes to dream state, I am Taijasa; and when I add attributes to sleep state, I am Pragya. However, when I remove these attributes from any or all of the three sattes, it is Turiyam.

Vishwa minus waking state attributes equals Turiyam.

Taijasa minus dream state attributes equals Turiyam.

Pragya minus sleep state attributes equals Turiyam.

So, Turiyam is obtained through knowledge. This knowledge of Turiyam is described in mantra # 7.

With this chatushpada Atma Vichara is over.

Mantras # 8 through # 12:

Chaturmatra Omkara Vichara is described. Omakra consists of A U M and the Silence that follows known as Amatra.

A is described in mantra # 9.

U is described in mantra # 10.

M is described in mantra # 11 and

Amatra is described in mantra # 12.

Having introduced each mantra, they can be equated to each Pada.

Thus:

A equates to Virat

U equates to Hirayagarbha

M equates to Ishwara

Amatra equates to Turiya atma.

Having equated one has to begin with upasana. First upasana is meditating on Virat in Akara; then meditating on Taijasa on U kara; and then meditating on Ishwara on M kara. To support meditation, common features were mentioned. They are:

Akara equation with Virat is based on pervasiveness and primacy both also called Apte and adimatvat, respectively.

Ukara equation with Hiranyagarbha is based on superiority and middleness; both also called Utkarsha and Ubhayata respectively.

Mkara and Ishvara equation is based on being similar to a measure and the ground of dissolution, both also called Mithi and Apithi respectively.

Remembering the common features one has to perform each upasana. It will help cleanse the mind. The upasana also provides material benefits. How to perform the upasana has not been described.

Rather, we have to meditate on Omkara and dissolve A into U; U into M; and M into silence and reach the silence or consciousness.

How to perform this? Example of this resolution was discussed as resolving Bangle, Chain and Ring in gold.

How to arrive at gold?

Look at bangle and look there for an object called bangle. You will observe that there is no substance called bangle; there is only gold. You must be convinced that there is no Bangle. Once bangle, the substance has been negated, the word bangle has no more relevance. Without an object where is the need for a word to describe it. This is known as Padartha nisheda and pada nisheda. Thus Virat nisheda is Akara nisheda.

Then come to Chain. Going through same process as with bangle, we realize that there is no object called chain as such the word chain is also negated. Chain padartha is negated; Hiranyagarbha is negated; U kara is also negated.

Then coming to Ring and going through same process as for bangle we realize there is no substance called ring as such and there is no need for word called ring Thus, ring padartha is negated; Ishwara is negated; Makara is negated.

A  (Virat), U (Hiranyagarbha), M (Pragya) all three are saguna Atma.

Pada-padartha division exists only in empirical field where time, space and attributes are there. It exists in saguna field alone. Once you negate everything you will feel blankness. Buddhists call it Shunyam or void. Mandukya says, for “ nothing remains”, you still need a witness of nothingness, known as Shunya Shakshi or Chaitanyam or as per Vedanta, Consciousness. This consciousness illumines the presence or absence of everything. This was pointed out in mantra # 12. Now the Upanishad is over. Benefit of this knowledge is that: whoever knows this, can claim, I am Turiyam.

Karikas:

Gaudapada talks of common and uncommon features of padas.

1. Pragya, the I in sleep state, is associated with Ignorance (I).
2. Vishwa and Taijasa, both in jagrat and swapna avastha are associated with Ignorance (I) and Error (E).
3. Turiyam is associated with none of them.

Ignorance means, not knowing “ I am limitless”.

Error means the notion that “I am limited.”

Gaudapada uses different terms for Ignorance and Error.

Thus, agyanam, agrahanam, nidra, and karanam are the four names for ignorance. Ankuraha, anyathagrahanam, svapna and karyam are the four names for misconception or error.

Another topic is position of each pada. Gaudapada describes the Sthana Trayam as:

Vishwa is in right eye.

Taijasa is in mind

Pragya is in Hiranyagarbha.

Then he describes Bhoga Trayam as follows:

Vishwa has experience of gross world.

Taijasa has experience of inner world.

Pragya has experience of ananda or Sushupti.

The last topic is Omkara dhyanam. Gaudapada uses word Pranava to describe Omkara. In word Pranava, Pra means perfect; while navaha means, so named.

So pranva means ideal name, that is Om, which stands for Brahman. Why is Om ideal name for Brahman? Other names reveal saguna or nirguna aspects only once. Om is ideal as it reveals both Saguna and Nirguna Brahman.

Sound part of Om reveals Saguna Brahman. Silence between two Omkara’s reveals nirguna Brahman. Saguna Brahman has three parts, Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Ishwara. Om also has three divisions, A U M. So every aspect of Brahman is revealed in OM, hence it is the Uttama Nama.

One has to practice Omkara dhyanam. In beginning focus on sound part, that also includes Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Ishwara. This is called Aparam Brahman.

Once you have advanced in meditation, move to silence and expand on it. Chant Om and dwell on silence. In silence reflect on teaching. Silence is Amatra; it is not blankness; it is absence of everything except the I, who am aware of the silence. The silence is Nirguna, Ananta etc. I have to see this as my swarupam. So it becomes swarupa dhyanam, which leads us to liberation. This concludes the 29 Karikas as well.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Karika # 23:

अकारो नयते विश्वमुकारश्चापि तैजसम् ।
मकारश्च पुनः प्राज्ञं नामात्रे विद्यते गतिः ॥ २३ ॥

The sound letter A helps the meditator to attain a well-developed waking personality (vishva). The meditator on U attains a well-developed Taijasa (mind and intellect) and for one who meditates on M reaches Prajna. In the “ soundless” state, after Mkara, there remains no attainment.

 Swamiji said the Upanishad is analyzing Omkara from mantra # 8 onwards. The Upanishad talked about Omkara and A U M was equated to first three padas of atma. It also gave three Upsanasas to practice for the unprepared students. Thus meditating on Akara symbolizes Virat, U kara symbolizes Hiranyagarbha and M kara symbolizes Pragya or Anataryami, respectively.

After practicing the upasana for some time one comes to Omkara Vichara and then resolves A U and M. An example of this process of resolution was provided by our discussion of Bangle, Chain, Ring and Gold. We found there is no substance called bangle, chain or ring respectively. We found that in all of them gold alone is the substance. This understanding that there is no bangle, chain or ring is called padartha-nisheda or negating substantiality of all three ornaments except gold. Padartha Traya Laya, this dissolution of all three, occurs by clear thinking. Once this dissolution occurs question may come up as to why when three padarthas are not there anymore why do we still have the three words? Now, existence of a word is relevant only if there is a corresponding object. First substance, bangle was negated; then we found there is no relevance for word ring as well and in a similar manner relevance of chain was also negated. Padatraya nisheda, means negation of corresponding words. Thus padartha and padatraya, that is all three padas (Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Pragya) and respective three matras (A U M, are negated and then only advaitam gold remains.

Similarly we have to negate sthula, sukshma and karana prapanchas just as we did for padarthas. Once we negate three padarthas only Turiyam remains. There are no more stula, sukshma, and Karana prapancha substances as well. The relevant words also have no more relevance; hence A U M also has no relevance. We have to keep in mind that A U M corresponds to sthula, sukshma and karana prapanchas. Thus A U M are also gone. What is left is Amatra the only substance or only truth of all three and this has to be revealed by an enquiry. This Amatra is now revealed in Mantra # 12.

Mantra # 12:

अमात्रश्चतुर्थोऽव्यवहार्यः प्रपञ्चोपशमः

शिवोऽद्वैत एवमोङ्कार आत्मैव

संविशत्यात्मनाऽऽत्मानं

य एवं वेद ॥ १२ ॥

That which has no parts, the soundless, the cessation of all phenomena, all blissful and non-dual AUM, is the fourth, and verily it is the same as the Atman. He, who knows this, merges his self in the supreme Self, the individual in total.

By negating Prapancha Trayam we come to Turiyam. By negating Matra Trayam (Omkara) we come to Amatra. Amatra is silence following Om. Amatra is the fourth matra. There is no dimension to this silence known as Amatra. This silence is also not finite like A U M. Definition of Amatra: It is exactly same as Turiyam as defined in mantra # 7.

As per this definition, Amatra or truth of Omkara, equals Turiyam, truth of universe. Also, Amatra is fourth part of Omkara even as Turiyam is the fourth pada of Atma. You can never talk about Turiyam and Silence.

When one talks, you know his language, but when a person is silent there is no language spoken; it is attributeless. It is free from pada prapancha, A U M. While Turiyam is free from padartha prapancha or world of objects, Amatra is free from world of names.

Shivaha, in mantra means Amatra or auspicious. Advaita means Amatra is non-dual. In this manner Omkara and four padas of Atma are identical. If I know this, what is the benefit? If a man knows that he is not Vishwa, Taijasa and Karana prapancha but that he is Turiyam, he enters into Atma.

Here, we have to remember that Amatra, the fourth matra, can be translated as silence. This silence is not mere absence of sound or its non-existence; rather, it is Consciousness principle that illumines absence of silence. This silence is Consciousness principle. This silence is not blankness; it is presence of Chaitanyam. This Chaitanya silence is the fourth matra of Omkara. The beauty of this silence is that it can co-exist with sound that is A U M while normal silence cannot. Consciousness can co-exist with A U M. Therefore; Amatra is Chaitanya Tatvam which is Turiyam as well. With this phala shruti of Omkara Vichara is complete.

Thus:

By enquiry into Atma we come to Turiyam

By enquiry into Omkara we come to Amatra.

Through this enquiry we come to pure consciousness.

With this the Upanishad is over. Gaudapada now further explains mantra # 12 in Amatra Karika.

Karika # 24:

ओंकारं पादशो विद्यात्पादा मात्रा न संशयः । 
ओंकारं पादशो ज्ञात्वा न किंचिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥ २४ ॥

The AUM syllable should be known quarter by quarter. There is no doubt, indeed, that the quarters (of the Self) are the same as the morae (letters of AUM). Having grasped thus the entire significance of Omkara, nothing else whatsoever should be thought of.

While writing his commentary Gaudapada consolidates his teaching of his previous karikas as well. He says, one has to clearly understand that the four padas of Atma equate with four matras of Omkara; thus every pada equates to a specific matra. Having clearly known Omkara and Atma, thereafter he should not have any other thought; he should arrive at Turiyam and abide in it.

(My Note: After understanding the four equations clearly, one should practice nididhyasanam with the Omkara mantra. Omkara can be used as a support for nididhyasanam. How do you meditate? Chant OM and

when you come to silence, you have to dwell upon the knowledge that there are two components in that

silence, one is silence and the other is consciousness. Then turn your attention from silence to

Consciousness then you claim that you are that Turiyam consciousness. This is called silence meditation.)

Karika # 25:

युञ्जीत प्रणवे चेतः प्रणवो ब्रह्म निर्भयम् । 
प्रणवे नित्ययुक्तस्य न भयं विद्यते क्वचित् ॥ २५ ॥

Soak the mind with the roar of AUM; Identify the mind with the sound of AUM; AUM is Brahman the ever fearless. He who is always unified with AUM shall know no fear whatsoever.

Having studied Mandukya and equating Omkara to the four padas of Atma, one must dwell on this through nidhidhyasanam.

Thus when one meditates on first pada Gross Cosmos comes up.

When he meditates on second pada Sukshma Prapancha comes up.

When he meditates on third pada Karana Prapancha comes up.

When he meditates on fourth pada, Turiyam comes up and he should see that other three prapanchas are non-substantial.

With Turiyam he should know that other three do not have any substance just as bangle (sthula prapancha), chain (Sukshma prapancha) and ring (karana prapancha) do not have a substance. This process of assimilation is nidhidhyasanam.

Similarly, A becomes meaningless as does U and M as well. In silence word disappears; there will only be silence consciousness. Student must perform this nidhidysanam. Now sound part of Omkara is saguna Brahman while silence part of Omkara or Amatra is nirguna Brahman. Pranava in the karika means Omkara.

This one has to learn to see in the sadhana. This will provide freedom from all insecurities. All these shlokas are nidhidhyasana shlokas. Gaudapada says you have to dwell on Omkara as often as possible as it will help in arriving at the “silence awareness”. Through Om one comes to this silence.

Advantages of this nidhidhyasanam: Once I know I am silence awareness, I am not afraid of death anymore. Sthula shariram is mortal, Suskhma shariram is mortal and Karana shariram is also mortal but I, the silence, am free from mortality.

Karika # 26:

प्रणवो ह्यपरं ब्रह्म प्रणवश्च परः स्मृतः । 
अपूर्वोऽनन्तरोऽबाह्योऽनपरः प्रणवोऽव्ययः ॥ २६ ॥

AUM is verily the lower Brahman and it is also declared to be supreme Brahman. Pranava is without any cause preceding It, without subsequent manifestation, without anything inside and outside, unrelated to any effect and changeless.

All these karikas are Omkara dhyanam related. Omkara is both Nirguna Brahman (without attributes) and Saguna brahman (with attributes).

A U M represents Saguna Virat, Hiranyagarbha and Anataryami while the silence following OM represents Nirguna Brahman.

The fourth matra of Omkara is without any second thing either inside or outside.

It is like the bangle; is it inside or outside of gold? Bangle, in fact does not even exist, as such where is the question of inside or outside?

When there is no world, where is the inside or outside to it? Thus, there is no matter inside or outside of Atma, the Consciousness. There is no matter inside or outside of Atma. In fact there is no substance called matter. Matter is just a word we use.

In Karika: Purva means karanam; Aparam means Karyam; Apurva anaparaha means beyond cause and effect.

Now, Padas one and two come under Karyam; Pada three comes under karanam; while Turiyam is karya karana vilakshanam as detailed in Karika # 11.

Consciousness is beyond matter, time and space. Avyaya means free from changes.

Karika # 27:

सर्वस्य प्रणवो ह्यादिर्मध्यमन्तस्तथैव च । 
एवं हि प्रणवं ज्ञात्वा व्यश्नुते तदनन्तरम् ॥ २७ ॥

AUM is verily the beginning, the middle and end of all. Knowing AUM as such, verily one attains immediately to that supreme Reality.

Gold is the only truth. It is the substance that pervades all ornaments. It is substance of ornaments. If you seek gold in ornaments in beginning, middle and in the end it is all pervading, as it alone gives existence to all three ornaments.

Similarly the beginning, middle and end of creation are borrowed from Turiyam. Prana vaha means silence, awareness part of pranava. It is beginning, middle and end; this is true both spatially and time wise. Turiya Chaitanya is content of all.  Owning up to Silence Awareness is Me. At that time there is blankness, there is stillness that is you, as witness of silence. I am that Chaitanyam, Instantaneously one becomes one with Turiya Chaitanyam.

Karika # 28:

प्रणवं हीश्वरं विद्यात्सर्वस्य हृदि संस्थितम् ।
सर्वव्यापिनमोंकारं मत्वा धीरो न शोचति ॥ २८ ॥

Know AUM to be Isvara, the Lord, ever-present in the hearts of all; the man of discrimination realizing AUM as all-pervading does not ever grieve.

Omkara has two meanings. Direct meaning is it is the sound of Omkara; second meaning is the implied silence that follows Omkara.

Silence is the consciousness that makes blankness known. Therefore, Omkara implies Consciousness or it means awareness of Silence. It is Paramatma. Where is he, the paramatma, residing? Lord resides in mind of all and Omkara consciousness is in mind of all, as witness of presence and absence of thought. So consciousness is all pervading. For one who can understand this there is no grief (samasara) in life. He is a Muktaha.

Karika # 29:

अमात्रो‘नन्तमात्रश्च द्वैतस्योपशमः शिवः । 
ओंकारो विदितो येन स मुनिर्नेतरो जनः ॥ २९ ॥

One who has known AUM, which is moraeless and of multiple morae (meaning AUM which is soundless and of infinite sounds) and which is ever peaceful because of negation of all duality in it, is the true sage; none other.

In this concluding karika Gaudapada reminds us of mantra number twelve’s definition of Amatra.

Definition of Amatra: Amatra is one without any limitation; either related to space or time. A is limited; U is limited; M is limited; but Amatra does not have any limitation. In meditation we should not work for relative silence; here sound comes and it displaces silence. However, Vedanta says this is not the truth. The true silence is Chaitanyam that is absolute silence; which is free from duality. It is present in silence and sound. It is ever auspicious; it is never disturbed by sound, just as waker’s silence is not disturbed by dreamer’s noise. This person who recognizes Omkara in this manner is a real Seer, a wise person. With this the Amatra karika is over; Chapter # 1 is over; and Upanishad is also over.

Take Away:

Omkara meditation:

Chant OM and when you come to silence, you have to dwell upon the knowledge that there are two components in that silence, one is silence and the other is consciousness. Then turn your attention from silence to consciousness and claim that you are that Turiyam, consciousness. This is called silence meditation.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Mantra # 11:

सुषुप्तस्थानः प्राज्ञो मकारस्तृतीया मात्रा

 मितेरपीतेर्वा मिनोति ह वा

 इदं सर्वमपीतिश्च भवति

य एवं वेद ॥ ११ ॥

Pragya, whose sphere of activity is deep sleep, is M the third letter of AUM, because it is both the “measure” and also “ that wherein all become one”. One who knows this identity of Pragya and M is able to know the real nature of things and beings, and also come to realize as being the Self of all.

Swamiji said the Upanishad is in Omkara Vichara from mantra # 8 onwards. In Mantra # 8 it pointed out that the four padas of Atma could be equated to four matras of Omkara; that is A U M and the silence following M is known as Amatra.

From mantra # 9 onwards, each matra was equated to each pada in progressive order. Thus Aa was equated to Vishwa or Virat. In Mantra # 10 the second pada Taijasa or Hiranyagarbha was equated to matra U.

In mantra # 11 the third pada of Pragya and Ishwara was equated to M kara.

Incidentally, after equating, the Upanishad prescribed three upasanas. Aim of Upanishad is not upasana but Vichara. Assuming some students may not be ready for Vichara the Upanishad prescribes the three upasanas. Shankaracharya says upasana is not main topic of the mantras.

The main two features of each of the three upasanas were then pointed out as:

Upasana # 1: it is Aptehe and adimatva.

Upasana # 2: Utakarsha and Ubhayatvat

Upasana # 3: Mithi and Apithi .

Once a nishkama upsana is performed by a manda bhakta his mind will be prepared.

Now, instead of going to fourth pada and fourth matra, Goudapada gives us a break in the following karikas where he talks of the three upasanas.

Karika # 19:

विश्वस्यात्वविवक्षायामादिसामान्यमुत्कटम् । 
मात्रासंप्रतिपत्तौ स्यादाप्तिसामान्यमेव च ॥ १९ ॥

When identity of Vishva and the A sound is  to be described, the common features between them are “being the first” in their respective positions as well as similarity of all pervasiveness.

In this karika Gaudapada is summarizing the Mantra # 9. Sampratipathi means identified with a particular mantra. In such a meditation, Vishwa is equated to Atvam or Amatra. Vishwa is Akara. Vishwa also includes Virat, Jagrat prapancha and Sthula prapancha. The entire jagrat prapancha is thus visualized on Aa.

Here the common features are:

1. Aadi: Virat is primary and Aa is also primary.
2. Apte: Both Aa and Virat are all pervading in nature.

This is upasana #1. Its phalam is mentioned later on by Guadapada.

Karika # 20:

तैजसस्योत्वविज्ञान उत्कर्षो दृश्यते स्फुटम् ।
मात्रासंप्रतिपत्तौ स्यादुभयत्वं तथाविधम् ॥ २० ॥

It is clearly seen that Taijasa is of the same nature as U in AUM, the common features being “superiority”. Another reason for fixing such an identity is “being in the middle”.

It is a summary of mantra # 10. Here upasaka is equating matra U with Taijasa, Hiranyagarbha, sukshma prapancha, invisible worlds; and in doing this, all minds must be visualized. With that the U is taken as a part of Omkara. Two common features here are:

1. Utkrishaha: In mantra # 10 superiority of subtle universe is described. It is cause of gross universe. Even as mind is more powerful than body, so is U superior to Aa at time of chanting. Aa resolves in U. U is resolution ground of Akara.
2. Ubhayatvam: means being an intermediary stage or in the middle. Thus, sukshma prapancha is between sthula and pragya. Similarly U is between Aa and M. This is also an aide to meditation.

Phalam will be discussed later.

Karika # 21:

मकारभावे प्राज्ञस्य मानसामान्यमुत्कटम् । 
मात्रासंप्रतिपत्तौ तु लयसामान्यमेव च ॥ २१ ॥

The identity of prajna and M is upon the clear common feature that they are the “measure”. The other reason for such an identity is because “ all become one” in both prajna and M.

Here  M is equated with the third pada that is Pragya or Antaryami, or Karana prapancha or the Universe in its unmanifest form. Before big bang too there was a condensed universe, an unmanifest universe. This is to be visualized on sound M. To aide with this meditation two common features were described.

1. Mithi: Also called Manam in karika, meaning measure. Sthula, sukshma prapancha enter the measure and then come out of it as well. Utkatam means evident. Measure-ness.
2. Laya samanya; Gaudapada uses laya instead of Apithi as used in mantra # 11. Laya is resolution ground; Karana Prapancha is also resolution ground and upon dissolution it goes back to its potential state.

Law of conservation of energy is actually described in Upanishad. It says that sthula suskhma parapancha go back to Laya.

Also Aa and U resolve in M. When we say M is resolution ground it is from a practical point of view as technically M cannot be resolution ground; it has to be Aa alone. By nature of Aa it is the material cause of all other sounds, their karanam; as such all have to be resolved back in it alone.

Upanishad is indicating a practical reality that Mm is end of all talking. This is third Upasana prescribed for the unprepared students.

Karika # 22:

त्रिषु धामसु यस्तुल्यं सामान्यं वेत्ति निश्चितः । 
स पूज्यः सर्वभूतानां वन्द्यश्चैव महामुनिः ॥ २२ ॥

He who knows without doubt what the common

features are in three states, is worshipped and adored by all beings; and he is indeed the greatest sage.

Normally Upasana is for manda adhikari’s. This may give the student an inferiority complex; hence Gaudapada is trying to boost the student by glorifying the upsaka.

That meditator who clearly knows the equation based on common features in all three upasanas becomes a revered one. The three upsanas correspond to the three states of experience. Thus Akara is Jagrat; U kara is Swapna and M kara is Sushupti. This upasaka becomes a revered person among human beings. He becomes worthy of worship. In our culture Upasakas’s are worshipped. Maha muni means great upasaka. What is phalam of this? Phalam was not described.

Karika # 23:

अकारो नयते विश्वमुकारश्चापि तैजसम् ।
मकारश्च पुनः प्राज्ञं नामात्रे विद्यते गतिः ॥ २३ ॥

The sound letter A helps the meditator to attain a well-developed waking personality (vishva). The meditator on U attains a well-developed Taijasa (mind and intellect) and for one who meditates on M reaches Prajna. In the “ soundless” state, after Mkara, there remains no attainment

Therefore this upasana can be practiced as nishkama or sakama upasana. Nishkama makes him ready for Turiyam Gyanam. For Sakama upsaka there also benefits in this life as well as in after life.

Ihaloka Phalam:

As stated by mantra # 9, he will become superior to others and become a common person acceptable to all. For third upasana he will be able to measure and judge. He will become one with God.

Paraloka phalam is not described in Upanishad. Gaudapada says, Akara Upasana does not mean meditating on Akara alone, it means Akara Pradhana Omkara Upasana and how to practice it has not been described. Shankaracharya also does not give importance to upasana.

This upasana will take upasaka after death to Vishwam or Virat Aikyam or oneness with Virat Ishwara. It is like a river merging in ocean. He will lose individuality temporarily until his punyam lasts.

Similarly U kara pradhana Omkara Upasana is when U is equated with Hiranyagarbha. It will lead after death to Taijasa or Hiranyagarbha aikyam. Shikshavalli also describes this aikyam.

Third is M kara pradhana Omkara Upasana will lead after death to Pragya or Antaryami Aikyam. He will merge into God. It is not a Gyani’s merger. Upasaka’s merger lasts only until his punyam and then he starts again while Gyani, after merger, do not come back.

How about Amatra and Turiyam? One who comes to Amatra does not travel after death as he becomes one with Brahman here and now. This is fourth matra.

Let us assume one has practiced this Upasana and prepared the mind for enquiry. How to do the enquiry? What is difference between Upasana and enquiry?

Aa is invoked as sthula prapancha and U is invoked as sukshma prapancha. Normally a word is used to reveal an object. Word is padam and object is padartha. Every padam represents a padartha.

Vedanta asks us to enquire into truth of this, asking us in effect to perform a Vichara.

Padam is a word. Four words are used: Bangle, Chain, Ring and Gold. Each padam must reveal a padartha. Bangle reveals bangle padartha. Ring reveals ring padartha. Chain reveals chain padartha while Gold reveals Gold padartha. Thus four padams reveal four padarthas. But upon enquiry I find gold is substance in front of me, but in the word bangle there is no padartha. Ring also has no padartha, chain too has no padartha. Therefore, upon enquiry three padarthas are dismissed; that is bangle, chain, ring; thus substance is dismissed. Once three padartha’s are negated the corresponding padam’s are also negated as they have no object to reveal. Therefore enquiry leads to dismissal of padartha and later padams as well.

Enquiry leads to resolution of padams and padarthas. So other than Turiyam, the only substratum, all other substances just do not exist. There is no substance called Sthula, Sukshma, Karana Prapancha and correspondingly sthula, sukskma karana Padams are also not there. What is left is Pada padartha vilakshanam or Turiyam. This Turiyam can be represented by silence. So, enquiry leads to dismissing of padam and padartha.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Karika # 18:

विकल्पो विनिवर्तेत कल्पितो यदि केनचित् । 
उपदेशादयं वादो ज्ञाते द्वैतं न विद्यते ॥ १८ ॥

If any one has ever imagined or projected the manifold ideas, they might disappear. This explanation is for the purpose of teaching. Duality in the explanation ceases to exist when the highest Truth is Realized.

Swamiji said in these karikas beginning from # 10 to # 18, Guadapada made an analysis of mantra # 7, the most significant mantra of the Upanishad. He also did a comparison and contrast of the four padas as well.

He said Turiyam has to be known. What is its significance? Once I know Turiyam, immediately Ignorance is removed, just as light removes darkness immediately and automatically.

Once Ignorance is gone, Error and misconceptions along with it also go away. Once rope is not known clearly we see a snake. Once we know it is a rope all misconceptions of rope such as snake, crack in the floor etc go away. There may be many misconceptions; they all go away. Therefore knowledge removes Ignorance and Error. Once both are gone; I know I am the consciousness that is Turiyam, free from Ignorance and Error. As per Vedanta, Turiyam, by definition is, Consciousness free from Ignorance and Error. If Ignorance and Error are there it is Vishwa or Taijasa. If Ignorance alone is there it is Pragyaha. So Ignorance alone can make me an Agyani in all three padas. Once Ignorance goes, one becomes a Gyani with awareness that he is Turiyam.

Once I know I am Turiyam, I can claim all features of Turiyam as my own. One main feature of Turiyam is that it is Shantam, Shivam and Advaitam. In my vision there is no duality at all; all are gone.

Even the idea that I am Gyani has duality in it. As a knower, I am a subject who knows something as an object; this involves dvaitam. With knowledge this duality goes and I am no more a knower. Self-knowledge removes the idea of knowerhood. A gyani loses the idea that he is not even a Gyani?? Then who am I? I am not pramata, prameya or pramanam; but I am Turiyam without all three features of Vishwa, Taijasa and Pragya.

A side point here is when a Gyani says I am non-dual advaitam; dvaitam continues for him; he just does not attribute reality to it.

If this were not true a Gyani cannot even be a Guru, as he has to see at least one Shishya, which means Dvaitam. When we say Gyani is in advaitam, perceptual dvaitam continues but he does not attribute advaitam to it. Sky is perceived as a blue dome over earth. Knowledge is that there is no blue dome, but perception continues even while knowing it is a perception alone. I know ocean water is colorless, but eyes will still report it as with color; however, I will know it is a perception only.

Similarly, sun does not rise rather it is the earth that moves. My perception sees sunrise and sunset, but I know the sun does not rise or set.

I perceive the stationary earth but I know it moves violently around the sun. As per Vedanta, perception does not prove reality.

You see pure blue water, blue dome in sky and a stationary earth. Gyani also perceives these dualities, but he knows the perceived reality is not real.

He knows water is colorless and moving earth is really moving at 60,000 MPH. Our sense organs are not designed to know reality. They are meant to give us a working knowledge of world. Hence newspapers report daily, the sunrise and sunset times. This is for the working knowledge alone. What is working knowledge; it is that, there is duality. Real knowledge is that there is no duality.

Working knowledge is Vyavahrika Satyam. Paramarthika Satyam is Shantam, Shivam, and Advaitam; I alone am; there is nothing else there. I am non-dual Turiyam. The topic that perception does not prove reality is discussed in chapters 2 and 3 elaborately.

This concludes analysis of mantra # 7.

Mantra # 8:

सोऽयमात्माध्यक्षरमोङ्कारोऽधिमात्रं

पादा मात्रा मात्राश्च पादा

अकार उकारो मकार इति ॥ ८ ॥

The same Atman is again Aum from point of view of the syllables. The AUM with parts is viewed from the standpoint of its sound or letters. The quarters are the letters (morae) and the letters are the quarters. The letters here are A, U and M.

 I had told that this Upanishad has two types of enquiries.

1. Chatushpada Atma Vichara.
2. Chaturmatra Omkara Vichara.

Omkara analysis is composed of four components to it. We have completed the # 1, Chatushpada Atma Vichara with Mantra # 7. The first mantras from # 2 to # 5 dealt with this including the 18 Karikas.

Now we are in second phase of Upanishad related to Omkara Vichara. The “kara” attached to Om means the word Om. This analysis is from mantra # 8 to # 12.

These are the final mantras of the Upanishad. Word Om is a monosyllable or one sound Om. It has four parts like atma. For atma they were called the four padas; in same manner Om is a compound syllable with four parts to it.

In Atma each was called pada while in OM each is called matra or letter.

1. Akara Matra: In English there is no akara at all. In Indian languages Aa is first and significant letter. Scriptures say Aa is most significant alphabet of all. It is the sound that comes automatically from mouth.
2. U kara Matra: There is no U in English language as well. Hence Om can’t be written in English. In Sanskit, as per grammar or Sandhi rules, Aa+ U=O.
3. M kara matra: It is a consonant.
4. Amatra: is the silence that follows the Om.

We can equate Atma and Om in all respects. Atma is a compound with four parts to it as is OM. Since both have four parts, one can equate each part to a part of Om respectively. What is the advantage of this equation? Once you equate Om and Atma, we can use it for meditation. When we chant OM all four padas of atma come up by association. Then we can claim Turiyam. For Turiya Dhyanam, Omkara is an ideal symbol.

Atma analysis leads to pure consciousness while Omkara analysis leads to pure silence. The silent consciousness is my inner most nature while all our talking is Samsara. This is the analysis.

This atma with four padas is Omkara.

Thus: Total Atma= Total Omkara.

If you dismantle the components of both, each pada equates to each matra and vice versa.

Om has A U M and Silence (amatra). Silence is discussed in mantra # 12. Amatra means the silence that follows.

What about the four padas of Atma? We already discussed the four padas from mantra # 2 to 5, both at macro and micro level.

Mantra # 9:

जागरितस्थानो वैश्वानरोऽकारः

प्रथमा मात्राऽऽप्तेरादिमत्त्वाद्वाप्नोति

ह वै सर्वान्कामानादिश्च

भवति य एवं वेद ॥ ९ ॥

He who is Vaishvanara having for his sphere of activity the waking state is Aa the first letter of AUM, on account of its “ all pervasiveness” or on account of “ being the first”- these two are the common features in both. One who knows this surely attains the fulfillment of all his desires and becomes the first or the foremost among all.

In this mantra each matra is equated to each respective pada. The sound Aa is hidden in Om and is the first letter of Om. It is equated to First pada of Atma or Jagrat Sthana, the Waker principle or Vaishvanara.

Aa equals Waker “I”.

Why is Aa the first pada or Vaishwanara or Virat? In Shastra there is a rule that when a symbol is used for an object, both should have common features. Green is shown in Indian flag for prosperity. Why so? Prosperity means a lot of wealth, a lot of greenery etc. Without greenery it will indicate draught conditions; hence association with green.

What connects Aa with Virat? Because of its pervasion it connects with Virat. All-pervasive is the character of Virat and alphabet Aa.

Virat is all pervading or Vishwa Rupa Ishwara or cosmos; hence all pervading AA is also all pervading.

How do you say so? In Phonetics or Shikshashatram, Aa is the basic sound produced just by opening the mouth. The very same Aa becomes Ee when you show your teeth by modifying the mouth. Aa becomes Uu by spouting the mouth. Aa is basic material that is transformed into all other letters. Aa is the material cause, karana akshara, while others are karya aksharani. Thus one gold becomes many jewelry. The cause pervades all effects. Gold pervades all ornaments. Letter Aa pervades all alphabets. All alphabets are manifestations of Aa. For each alphabet there is a devata. For Aa, it is Brahma as Karanam for whole creation. Aa is Sarvavyapi; Virat is also Sarvavyapi. Apte in shloka means Sarvavyapi.

There is a second common feature. Virat is born first before creation of individual being. Macro is born first then individual being(s) come about. Aa is also first born sound. Adimatva means Primary. So, both are all pervading and primary. May you meditate on Aa as a symbol of Virat just as we meditate on a Linga as a symbol of Lord Shiva. So, perform Akar Virat Aikya dhyanam.

Take Away:

When a Gyani says I am non-dual advaitam; dvaitam continues for him; he just does not attribute reality to it.

As per Vedanta, perception does not prove reality.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Mantra # 7; Karika # 14:

स्वप्ननिद्रायुतावाद्यौ प्राज्ञस्त्वस्वप्ननिद्रया । 
न निद्रां नैव च स्वप्नं तुर्ये पश्यन्ति निश्चिताः ॥ १४ ॥

Vishwa and Taijasa, the former two are associated with the conditions of dream and sleep, Prajna is the state without dream. Those who have known the Truth do not see either sleep or dream in Turiya.

Swamiji said in these karikas beginning from # 11 Guadapada is comparing and contrasting the four padas by making use of presence or absence of Ignorance and Error in them. Ignorance is self-ignorance while error is self-delusion.

Ignorance is indicated by words such as: Agrahanam, Nidra, Karanam and Beejam, all mean self-ignorance.

Error is indicated by words such as :Anyathagrahanam, Swapna, Karyam and Ankuraha; all indicating error or self-delusion.

Of the four padas, the first three are associated with Ignorance, while Turiyam, the fourth pada, is not. With respect to error, of the four padas, two are associated with error while two are not. Thus we can say the following:

First pada has Ignorance and Error.

Second pada has Ignorance and Error

Third pada has Ignorance without Error

Fourth pada has no Ignorance or Error.

Next in the Karika #15 Gaudapada arrives at an important corollary.

Karika # 15:

अन्यथा गृह्णतः स्वप्नो निद्रा तत्त्वमजानतः ।
विपर्यासे तयोः क्षीणे तुरीयं पदमश्नुते ॥ १५ ॥

Dream is the misapprehension of Reality, while sleep is the state in which one is in a state of non-apprehension of Reality. When the erroneous knowledge in these two states disappears, Turiya is Realized.

This Karika reinforces the same ideas as last Karika but with a new set of words.

Swapna belongs to that pada associated with anyathagrahanam or wrong perception or error. When self-delusion is there, it is swapna. The self-delusion is that I am a Jivatma. Why is it a delusion? In reality, I am Paramatma and not Jivatma; this is the delusion. Such a person is in a dream. If one has a self-delusion even in waking state, Vedanta calls it Swapna; thus even jagrat avastha is a Swapna.

Nidra: First and second padas are associated with Error; hence swapna belongs to them. On the other hand Nidra belongs to that pada which is associated with Self Ignorance. Therefore Nidra, sleep, belongs to the pada associated with Self Ignorance. This is the third pada. In Pragya state there is Nidra or self-delusion. So sleep, philosophically, means Self Ignorance. In waking state if we are Self-ignorant, we are asleep. Philosophically, in sleep, if we are self-ignorant, we are asleep as well. Thus in sleep too, in philosophical sense, sleep is Self Ignorant.

So sleep, philosophically, belongs to all three padas. Both, waking and dream states are associated with self-delusion.  In deep sleep there is ignorance but no self-delusion.  Turiyam has not ignorance or self-delusion.  As long as Ignorance and Error exist, I am away from Turiyam because Turiyam is free from both.

(Note: My association with the three states is only a seeming one. Once I understand the association to be a seeming one, I am free. The stick under water only seems to be bent. If I take the bend to be real, I have to do something to straighten the stick. When I know the bend to be only a seeming one, I do not need to do any sadhana to straighten the stick. Let the stick be in water and appear to be bent. But it is straight all the time. Similarly, I appear to be a waker, dreamer or a sleeper. Even when I appear as all these three, they are only appearances. I am always Turiyam and this I have to know in the waking state.)

How can I attain Turiyam? Gaudapada says definition of Turiyam is freedom from Ignorance and Error.

If you have freedom from Ignorance and Error you can claim status of Turiyam. Therefore he comes to a corollary that a seeker can attain status of Turiya Padam when error backed by ignorance, self delusion and self ignorance, is eliminated from me.

Why so? If I am associated with Ignorance and Error, I am in first or second pada. With Ignorance alone I am in third pada. When I eliminate both, Ignorance and Error, I become Turiyam.

Thus Ignorance and Error have to be eliminated in first three padas to attain Turiyam.

Stated as an equation:

Vishwa minus ignorance and error equals Turiyam

Taijasa minus ignorance and error equals Turiyam.

Pragya minus Ignorance equals Turiyam.

Turiyam minus nothing equals Turiyam.

Thus, Vishwa, Taijasa and Pragya are all Turiyam without ignorance and error.

If so, how to remove Ignorance and Error?

You can never directly remove Ignorance, even as darkness can’t be removed. Darkness goes when light comes in; even so, only Gyanam can remove Ignorance. What Gyanam removes Ignorance? By gaining Turiya gyanam Ignorance may go, but how about Error? When ignorance goes, Ignorance caused Error also goes. Thus when rope Ignorance goes snake delusion, the Error, automatically goes.

So, only knowledge is needed to remove Ignorance as well as Error. How to get Gyanam? We have to start with Karma Yoga for Chitta shudhi; then go to Upasana Yoga for Chitta Ekagritha; then go to Gyana Yoga to obtain Gyanam. What is Gyana Yoga? It is sravanam, mananam, and nidhidhyasanam.

Karika # 16:

अनादिमायया सुप्तो यदा जीवः प्रबुध्यते । 
अजमनिद्रमस्वप्नमद्वैतं बुध्यते तदा ॥ १६ ॥

When individual soul sleeping under the influence of the beginingless maya is awakened, then it realizes in itself the birthless, sleepless, dreamless and non dual (Turiya).

I realize that Ignorance and Error are obstacles between me, and my Turiyam status. How did Ignorance and error come? Why did they come? Who created me with Ignorance and Error? When did he create it?

Gaudapada says nobody created Ignorance, as such all three questions are wrong. It was there from the beginning of time. The Jiva is in state of philosophical dream, with Error or self-delusion, because of Maya or Nidra, the beginning-less Nidra or philosophical Nidra or Self Ignorance.

Jiva is a Self-delusion because of beginning-less Ignorance. Generally a Jiva does not try to remove the Ignorance. How to remove it? Some rare Jivas try to remove it. The word Prabudhyat in shloka means wake up. If a Jiva wakes up to his real nature, philosophical awakening, it is knowledge. Suppose a Jiva knows Turiyam nature by karma yoga, upasana yoga and gyana yoga, then he understands that I am not Vishwa, I am not Taijasa, and I am not even Pragya as well; rather I am Turiyam; advaita Turiyam; or Turiyam free from anidram, that is without nidra or self-ignorance.

Pure Nidra is associated with third pada. So, I am different from third pada, Aswapnam or Self –delusion; Turiyam is free from Swapna or free from second pada.

Ajam: means birthless or janma rahitaha.

Turiyam in first pada is associated with physical body or sthula shariram. Birthless means free from physical body associated with Vishwa, the Waker; also called Vishwa vilakshanam. This the seeker recognizes.

Karika # 17:

प्रपञ्चो यदि विद्येत निवर्तेत न संशयः । 
मायामात्रमिदं द्वैतमद्वैतं परमार्थतः ॥ १७ ॥

If the perceived plurality were real, then certainly it would disappear. This duality that is cognized is a mere illusion, or maya. Non-duality alone is the supreme Reality.

In this karika gaudapada is assuming a possible question that can come up from previous karika.

If one knows through knowledge that I am Turiyam the adviatam, in wake of knowledge there is advaitam. Thus, with knowledge it eliminates Dvaitam. Then question comes, can knowledge eliminate world of plurality?

Can knowledge eliminate anything at all? If knowledge of table can eliminate table, then table should get eliminated while in reality we don’t see this happening. Can knowledge of a disease eliminate the disease? Reality is that it is not knowledge rather it is the medicine that eliminates disease.

Secondly, even if we assume knowledge eliminates dvaitam then advaitam comes. In wake of knowledge dvaitam goes and advaitam comes. If so, will advaitam also go and dvaitam come back later? Thus, advaitam and moksha wont be permanent. So, can knowledge eliminate dvaitam?

Gaudapada answers in next three karikas these questions. He says question of elimination of dvaita prapancha to arrive at advaitam itself is wrong. If there is dvaita prapancha, it may go or not go, but fact is, there is no dvaita prapancha at all to talk about or its going and coming. It is like in waker, with rope knowledge, will snake knowledge go away? This question itself is wrong, as there is no snake to begin with. If there is a dvaita prapancha existent it may perhaps go away, there is no doubt about it. Really speaking there is no dvaita prapancha to go away, just as there is no snake to go away with rope knowledge.

Then, in wake of knowledge, what goes away? Dvaita prapancha (phenomenon) does not go away as it was not there to begin with rather it is Dvaita Brahmyam, delusion of Dvaitam, that goes away. This dvaita prapancha is only a delusion, a brahmyam, and a maya. If at all, it is this brahmyam that goes away. Thus, dvaita nivrithi is dvaita brahmya nivrithi.

In swapna you saw a thief entering your house; upon waking there is no thief; what has gone is the thief delusion or thief brahmyam. If dvaitam is brahmyam, what is fact? Really speaking, there was always advaitam, there is always advitam and there will always be advitam as well; there was only dvaita brahmyam.

Karika # 18:

विकल्पो विनिवर्तेत कल्पितो यदि केनचित् । 
उपदेशादयं वादो ज्ञाते द्वैतं न विद्यते ॥ १८ ॥

If any one has ever imagined or projected the manifold ideas, they might disappear. This explanation is for the purpose of teaching. Duality in the explanation ceases to exist when the highest Truth is Realized.

In previous Karika it said that Gyanam eliminates Dvaitam and it takes you to advitam; it eliminates dvaitam Brahmyam. Here Gaudapada adds more to the previous idea of knowledge of eliminating dvaitam.

He says, when knowledge eliminates dvaitam it includes the dvaitam that is the very basis of Gyanam. The very idea of Gyanam presupposes duality; thus the question comes who is the knower and what is the subject of knowledge. Gyanam eliminates all duality; it also eliminates knower and known duality. Can Gyanam eliminate knower known duality? Gaudapada answers, if there is a knower known duality then one can talk of its elimination perhaps; but in reality knower known duality does not exist; the question itself is wrong. It is similar to rope knowledge that eliminates snake. If there is duality (subject, object) created by someone, perhaps, it may or may not go, if it exists, but fact is that there is no knower known duality to go away.

Then what goes away? It is the notion, delusion, that there is a knower and known. This duality goes away. After knowledge, I will not even claim I am a Gyani, because to claim I am a Gyani I have to have a knower and known duality. I am Turiyam, free from knower and known duality.

If knower and known division are not there, why do scriptures talk about it? In Taittiriya Upanishad it says, Knower of Brahman attains liberty. The scriptures temporarily accept knower known division for sake of teaching. Once teaching is successful then there is no more duality; the knower known duality; the teacher student duality, all of them go away.

Take Away:

Thus when rope Ignorance goes snake delusion, the Error, automatically goes.

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy

Mantra # 7; Karika # 11:

Swamiji said in these karikas beginning from # 11 Guadapada is comparing and contrasting the four padas. This study is for clarifying the karika. This clarification is called Svadhanya Vaidhanya Vichara. It shows the study of common and uncommon features. Two specific factors are studied for comparison. They are: 1) Ignorance and 2) Error, or misconceptions born from ignorance.

When you do not recognize a rope, as a rope, it is called Rajju Agyanam; where it is mistaken as something else; hence called an error. Error is always born out of ignorance; with knowledge there can be no more error.

Ignorance is the cause while error is its effect. Ignorance is referenced by four expressions of Gaudapada. They are:

1. Nidra: Ignorance is figuratively called sleep. When you are asleep to a fact, you are ignorant of the fact.
2. Agrahanam: Non-perception of fact. Rope ignorance is non-perception that it is a rope.
3. Karanam: Ignorance is referred to as cause or karanam. Why is it a cause? Because it is cause of error, cause of mistake or misconception, hence it is karanam.
4. Beejam: or Seed. Why seed? Just as from a seed sprout comes out, from seed of ignorance, error or mistake arises. Rope misconception is born from rope ignorance. Some mistake it as snake, some as mala (garland), some as a crack in the earth, yet others as a stick. All misconceptions are born from one seed of ignorance.

Following four factors provide reference points for Ignorance. Errors too can be referenced by these four factors.

The four factors are:

• Swapna: Error is swapna; thus in dream we have a non-factual experience.
• Anyathagrahanam: Misperception. In error we always perceive things wrongly, thus we see snake in a rope.
• Karyam: Error is born of ignorance; it is an effect born of ignorance; hence it is called Karyam.
• Ankuraha: Sprout or a plant. Error is a sprout that comes out of the seed of ignorance or Beeja ankuraha.

Using these four expressions Gaudapada is going to compare and contrast the four padas.

Karika # 11:

कार्यकारणबद्धौ ताविष्येते विश्वतैजसौ ।
प्राज्ञः कारणबद्धस्तु द्वौ तौ तुर्ये न सिद्ध्य्तः ॥ ११ ॥

Vishwa and Taijasa are both conditioned by cause and effect. But Prajna is conditioned by cause alone. Both cause and effect exist not in Turiya.

Vishwa, the waker, the first pada, is associated with Karyam (error) and karanam (ignorance). Waker has both ignorance and error. What is the Waker ignorant of? He is ignorant that I am Turiyam, the Paramatma. Since he is ignorant, he makes a mistake that I am the Jivatma, the limited sorrowful individual; that I am limitless, is not known; in error, I only know I am a limited individual. Every Waker looks at himself as a limited “I”.

The dreamer also has same pair of problems or as Taijasa. Taijasa also has karyam and karanam. During dream, I am ignorant of fact that I am the limitless paramatma or Turiyam; I commit a mistake that I am limited individual or jivatma suffering from dream samsara. This is the second pada is also associated with ignorance and error.

Pragyaha is the third pada; the sleeper associated with only Karanam, or ignorance. A sleeper does not make a mistake; he has only got ignorance. It is called pure ignorance. What does it mean? Error free ignorance is called pure ignorance; even though I am ignorant that I am limitless; I don’t create any mistake because the mind is in a resolved state; as such it cannot commit mistakes. Hence called Total ignorance or also called Bliss. Ignorance becomes a problem only when it is mixed with erroneous perceptions.

Say a rope is lying in a shadow (half-lit area) and you see it partially; hence you see it as a snake causing to be frightened. Had the rope been in a pitch-dark area, and then there would have been rope ignorance, as I don’t see the rope to begin with. Here Ignorance exists, but there is no wrong perception of snake. Here Ignorance is there without an error. Hence, in Total Ignorance, one knows no Samsara or there is no error. It is only in partial ignorance that the error comes in.

In deep sleep also there is no samsara. Gyani and deep sleep both don’t have samsara. Only Waker and Agyani have samsara.

Shankaracharya in his Brahmasutra commentary talks of this error and calls Adhyasa. So, Gaudapada says, a sleeper has only “ignorance without error”.

In Turiyam also there is neither ignorance nor error. It is free from both. It is pure Consciousness alone. It is the illuminator of ignorance and error. Why so? Several reasons are given:

1. Pure consciousness is asangaha; it is relation-less like space. Space is everywhere but not connected to anything including ignorance and error.
2. Consciousness is a higher order reality or Paramarthika Satyam. While ignorance of error is Vyavaharailka Satyam. Both can’t be connected. Thus, a waking person can’t be hurt by dream water, fire etc. Waker is higher order reality while dreamer is a lower order reality.
3. Prakash Tatvam: Illuminator of a thing can never be polluted by anything. Light can’t be contaminated by whatever it shines on.

Karika # 12:

नाऽऽत्मानं न परंश्चैव न सत्यं नापि चानृतम् ।
प्राज्ञः किंचन संवेत्ति तुर्यं तत्सर्वदृक्सदा ॥ १२ ॥

Prajna does not know anything of the Truth or the untruth., nor does Prajna know anything of the Self or of the not-Self; Prajna knows nothing. But Turiya is ever and it is  always the all-knowing , the all-seeing.

In these two shlokas gaudapada is contrasting Pragya and Turiya and their uncommon features.

Pragya is associated with ignorance.

Turiya is not associated with ignorance.

This contrast is in both shlokas 12 and 13.

Pragya does not know anything. It is absolutely ignorant. Pragya is errorlessly ignorant and hence blissfully ignorant. Pragya does not know himself. I don’t know the object or the subject. Nobody says, “I am sleeping”, nor does he say, “I am Turiyam”. How about others? He does not know others as well. He does not know Atma or anatma. Neither does he know reality nor the unreal world. It is state of Total Ignorance.

What about Turiyam? It is pure Consciousness, the illuminator of everything including ignorance, the state of  “I don’t know anything”. If asked, do you know that you don’t know anything, and then I am conscious of my ignorance. Consciousness is illuminator of ignorance and error; hence it is called Sarva Dhriti. Illuminator is not tainted by whatever it illumines. Imagine if light that illumines my body becomes a part of my body; when I leave everything will be dark, as light will leave with me. Light falls on body but is not connected to body. So, Turiyam is free from ignorance, while Pragya is associated with ignorance.

When is Turiyam free? It is ever free from ignorance and error.

karika # 13:

द्वैतस्याग्रहणं तुल्यमुभयोः प्राज्ञतुर्ययोः ।
बीजनिद्रायुतः प्राज्ञः सा च तुर्ये न विद्यते ॥ १३ ॥

The non-cognition of duality is equal in both sleep and Turiya but the sleeper conditioned in his sleep, is in the form of the cause and this- the sleep or cause (avidya) does not exist in Turiya.

In this shloka also Gaudapada is studying Pragya and Turiya. Here he talks of similarities and dissimilarities. In previous shloka only dissimilarities were discussed.

What are the dissimilarities?

Pragya is associated with ignorance.

Turiya is not associated with ignorance.

Bija nidra means ignorance. Pragya is ignorance ridden. Contrastingly in Turiya Bija nidra, ignorance is not there.

What are the similarities?

Common factors are that both are free from error.

A sleepy person has no error; he does not have notion of a limited person; it is not there in Turiyam or a Gyani as well. So Gyani and Turiyam are identical. Therefore moksha and sleep are very similar.

In Brhadaranyaka Upanishad Yagyavalkya compares moksha with sleep. Unfortunately with problems we have today, we don’t get sleep.

Here dvaitam means error or perception of the limited “I”. Why is it an error? It is an error because advaitam is a fact. Agrahanam means absence. Absence of dvaitam or error is common to both Pragya and Turiyam. So, in sleep, I am in advaitam. Turiyam is also a state of advaitam. So, error abhava (absence) is common to both.

Karika # 14:

स्वप्ननिद्रायुतावाद्यौ प्राज्ञस्त्वस्वप्ननिद्रया । 
न निद्रां नैव च स्वप्नं तुर्ये पश्यन्ति निश्चिताः ॥ १४ ॥

Vishwa and Taijasa, the former two are associated with the conditions of dream and sleep, Prajna is the state without dream. Those who have known the Truth do not see either sleep or dream in Turiya.

This shloka is similar to # 11. Shlokas # 11 and # 14 are similar. All four padas are compared in them. In shlokas # 12 and # 13 only two padas are compared.

First two padas, Vishwa (waker) and Taijasa (dreamer) are associated with nidra or ignorance and error. Waker is associated with ignorance and error; it is same for Taijasa as well; whereas Pragya is associated with ignorance or it is state of error-less ignorance or Total ignorance.

In Turiyam there is neither nidra (ignorance) nor swapna (error). Both are not there. Wise people don’t see ignorance or error in Turiyam.

This is the comparison and contrast. To be liberated you have to become Turiyam. In Vishwa and Taijasa, you will not get liberation. How to become Turiyam will be topic of next class.

Take Away:

With Best Wishes,

Ram Ramaswamy