Māṇḍūkya is the smallest of the eleven Principal Upaniṣads under our review; it has only 12 verses, numbered serially from 1 to 12. Nevertheless, it is the tersest of all, expounding in a unique manner the nature of shining of Ātmā in beings, with particular importance to the aspect of CHIT (consciousness). It uncovers four distinct modes of expression of CHIT.
Brevity of the Upaniṣad is an indication of the terseness in contents presentation, warranting detailed study of each verse. However, before moving on to the verses, we may recall our declared adherence to the rational path in the study of Upaniṣads. This may at times entail departure from conventional understanding and teaching by theologians and spiritual luminaries; in such cases the views expressed here may be appreciated with a rational approach befitting this age of scientific spirit. In our study, we shall also pursue our commitment to look for and abide by the consistency of teachings in all the Principal Upaniṣads taken together, which is essential for comprehensive understanding of their philosophy.
Let us now see the first verse:
ओमित्येतदक्षरमिदं सर्वं तस्योपव्याख्यानं भूतं भवद्भविष्यदिति सर्वमोङ्कार एव | यच्चान्यत् त्रिकालातीतं तदप्योङ्कार एव || 1 ||
omityetadakṣaramidaṃ sarvaṃ tasyopavyākhyānaṃ bhūtaṃ bhavadbhaviṣyaditi sarvamoṅkāra eva yaccānyat trikālātītaṃ tadapyoṅkāra eva. (1)
Word meaning: om- Om; iti- known as; etat- this; akṣaram- syllable; idaṃ- here, this; sarvaṃ- all; tasya- its; upavyākhyānaṃ- explanation, interpretation (physical translation, which is verily manifestation); bhūtaṃ- past; bhavat- present; bhaviṣyat- future; eva- verily; yat- which, what; ca- and; anyat- others; trikāla- past, present and future taken together, atītaṃ- beyond, transcending; tat- that; api- also.
Verse meaning: ‘All this is the syllable known as ‘Om’, (rather) its manifestation. Everything in the past, present and future is verily Om; if anything is there transcending these three expressions of time, then, that too is verily ‘Om’.
In verses 2.23.2 and 2.23.3 of Chāndogya Upaniṣad it is said that Vedas issued forth on account of intense meditation by Prajāpati on the worlds; in the same manner the three words ‘bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ, svaḥ (bhur, bhuva, sva)’ issued forth from the Vedas; and ‘Om’ issued forth from these three words, by intense meditation. The implication is that the principle of ‘Om’ was reached by successive intense meditations on the worlds, the Vedas and the three words of ‘bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ, svaḥ’. ‘Om’ is thus the ultimate essence of the worlds; the said meditations indicate a churning process to bring forth that essence, like the churning of Kṣīra Sāgara for obtaining the mythological amṛta, wherein Kṣīra Sāgara represents the universe.
