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Three resonance rings surround a silent golden center in a vast indigo field of awareness.
Three resonance rings surround a silent golden center in a vast indigo field of awareness.

Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad: The four states and Om

Probably composed in the last centuries BCE or early centuries CE; it interprets self, consciousness, and Om non-dually.

Dr. Ronald Steiner Dr. Ronald Steiner Nils Jacob Liersch Nils Jacob Liersch
Turquoise sound waves and golden light flow into three fading waves of peace.
Turquoise sound waves and golden light flow into three fading waves of peace.

Śāntipāṭha: Hearing, seeing, and peace

The invocation asks for auspicious perception, a sound life, an auspicious mind, and threefold peace.

Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad
oṃ; bhadraṃ karṇebhiḥ, śṛṇuyāma devā; bhadraṃ paśyemā,kṣabhir yajatrāḥ | sthirair aṅgais, tuṣṭuvāṃsas tanūbhir; vyaśema, deva-hitaṃ yad āyuḥ ||1||
Metre: Triṣṭubh; pādas 2 and 4 each one syllable short
Om (oṃ). May we hear (śṛṇuyāma | 1p pl act opt) what is auspicious (bhadram | acc sg n) with our ears (karṇebhiḥ | ins pl), O gods (devāḥ | voc pl); may we see (paśyema | 1p pl act opt) what is auspicious (bhadram | acc sg n) with our eyes (akṣabhiḥ | ins pl), O worshipful ones (yajatrāḥ | voc pl). With firm limbs (sthirair aṅgaiḥ | ins pl), praising (tuṣṭuvāṃsaḥ | nom pl m ppa) with our bodies (tanūbhiḥ | ins pl), may we live out (vyaśema | 1p pl act opt) the divinely allotted lifespan (deva-hitam āyuḥ | acc sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad
bhadraṃ no api vātaya manaḥ ||2||
Metre: Ekapadā Virāj
Waft (vātaya | 2p sg act imp caus) an auspicious mind (bhadraṃ manaḥ | acc sg) also (api) toward us (naḥ | dat pl).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ |
Metre: none
Om (oṃ). Peace (śāntiḥ | nom sg), peace (śāntiḥ | nom sg), peace (śāntiḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Three golden arcs of time flow into a fourfold circle of light before boundless space.
Three golden arcs of time flow into a fourfold circle of light before boundless space.

Om, Brahman, and the fourfold self

Om encompasses time and the timeless; all is Brahman, and the self is taught through four quarters.

Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 1
oṃ ity etad akṣaram idaṃ sarvaṃ tasyopavyākhyānaṃ bhūtaṃ bhavad bhaviṣyad iti sarvam oṃkāra eva | yac cānyat trikālātītaṃ tad apy oṃkāra eva ||1||
Metre: none
Om (oṃ), thus (iti) [is called] this imperishable syllable (etad akṣaram | nom sg n): all this (idaṃ sarvam | nom sg n). Its explanation (tasya upavyākhyānam | nom sg) [is]: past (bhūtam | nom sg n), present (bhavat | nom sg n), and future (bhaviṣyat | nom sg n)—thus (iti) all (sarvam | nom sg n) [is] Om alone (oṃkāra eva | nom sg). And (ca) whatever (yat | nom sg n) else (anyat | nom sg n) lies beyond the three times (trikālātītam | nom sg n ppp), that too (tad api | nom sg n) [is] Om alone (oṃkāra eva | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 2
sarvaṃ hy etad brahmāyam ātmā brahma so 'yam ātmā catuṣpāt ||2||
Metre: none
For (hi) all this (sarvam etat | nom sg n) [is] Brahman (brahma | nom sg); this Self (ayam ātmā | nom sg) [is] Brahman (brahma | nom sg). This very Self (so ’yam ātmā | nom sg) has four quarters (catuṣpāt | nom sg m).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Waking, dream, and deep sleep open into a fourth stillness that permeates them all.
Waking, dream, and deep sleep open into a fourth stillness that permeates them all.

Waking, dream, deep sleep, and the Fourth

Three modes of experience are described and transcended in the Fourth, recognized as peaceful, auspicious, and non-dual.

Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 3
jāgarita-sthāno bahiṣ-prajñaḥ saptāṅga ekona-viṃśati-mukhaḥ sthūla-bhug vaiśvānaraḥ prathamaḥ pādaḥ ||3||
Metre: none
Having waking as its field (jāgarita-sthānaḥ | nom sg), cognizing outwardly (bahiṣ-prajñaḥ | nom sg m), seven-limbed (saptāṅgaḥ | nom sg m), with nineteen mouths (ekonaviṃśati-mukhaḥ | nom sg m), and experiencing the gross (sthūla-bhuk | nom sg m), Vaiśvānara (vaiśvānaraḥ | nom sg) [is] the first quarter (prathamaḥ pādaḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 4
svapna-sthāno 'ntaḥ-prajñaḥ saptāṅga ekona-viṃśati-mukhaḥ pravivikta-bhuk taijaso dvitīyaḥ pādaḥ ||4||
Metre: none
Having dream as its field (svapna-sthānaḥ | nom sg), cognizing inwardly (antaḥ-prajñaḥ | nom sg m), seven-limbed (saptāṅgaḥ | nom sg m), with nineteen mouths (ekonaviṃśati-mukhaḥ | nom sg m), and experiencing the subtle (pravivikta-bhuk | nom sg m), Taijasa (taijasaḥ | nom sg) [is] the second quarter (dvitīyaḥ pādaḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 5
yatra supto na kaṃ-cana kāmaṃ kāmayate na kaṃ-cana svapnaṃ paśyati tat suṣuptam | suṣupta-sthāna ekī-bhūtaḥ prajñāna-ghana evānanda-mayo hy ānanda-bhuk ceto-mukhaḥ prājñas tṛtīyaḥ pādaḥ ||5||
Metre: none
Where (yatra) one who is asleep (suptaḥ | nom sg m ppp) desires (kāmayate | 3p sg med pres) no desire at all (na kaṃcana kāmam | acc sg) and sees (paśyati | 3p sg act pres) no dream at all (na kaṃcana svapnam | acc sg), that (tat | nom sg n) [is] deep sleep (suṣuptam | nom sg n). Having deep sleep as its field (suṣupta-sthānaḥ | nom sg), become one (ekī-bhūtaḥ | nom sg m ppp), a compact fullness of consciousness alone (prajñāna-ghana eva | nom sg), consisting of bliss (ānanda-mayaḥ | nom sg m), experiencing bliss (ānanda-bhuk | nom sg m), and having consciousness as its gateway (ceto-mukhaḥ | nom sg m), Prājña (prājñaḥ | nom sg) [is] the third quarter (tṛtīyaḥ pādaḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 6
eṣa sarveśvara eṣa sarvajña eṣo 'ntaryāmy eṣa yoniḥ sarvasya prabhavāpyayau hi bhūtānām ||6||
Metre: none
This (eṣaḥ | nom sg m) [is] the lord of all (sarveśvaraḥ | nom sg), this (eṣaḥ | nom sg m) [is] the knower of all (sarvajñaḥ | nom sg), this (eṣaḥ | nom sg m) [is] the inner guide (antaryāmī | nom sg), this (eṣaḥ | nom sg m) [is] the source (yoniḥ | nom sg) of all (sarvasya | gen sg); for (hi) [it is] the arising and dissolution (prabhavāpyayau | nom du) of beings (bhūtānām | gen pl).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 7
nāntaḥ-prajñaṃ na bahiṣ-prajñaṃ nobhayataḥ-prajñaṃ na prajñāna-ghanaṃ na prajñaṃ nāprajñam | adṛṣṭam avyavahāryam agrāhyam alakṣaṇam acintyam avyapadeśyam ekātma-pratyaya-sāraṃ prapañcopaśamaṃ śāntaṃ śivam advaitaṃ caturthaṃ manyante | sa ātmā sa vijñeyaḥ ||7||
Metre: none
[It is] not inwardly cognizing (nāntaḥ-prajñam | acc sg m), not outwardly cognizing (na bahiṣ-prajñam | acc sg m), not cognizing in both ways (nobhayataḥ-prajñam | acc sg m), not a mass of cognition (na prajñāna-ghanam | acc sg m), neither cognizing (na prajñam | acc sg m) nor non-cognizing (nāprajñam | acc sg m); unseen (adṛṣṭam | acc sg m), unavailable (avyavahāryam | acc sg m), ungraspable (agrāhyam | acc sg m), without a mark (alakṣaṇam | acc sg m), unthinkable (acintyam | acc sg m), indescribable (avyapadeśyam | acc sg m), having the certainty of the one Self as its essence (ekātma-pratyaya-sāram | acc sg m), the stilling of the world’s display (prapañcopaśamam | acc sg m), peaceful (śāntam | acc sg m), auspicious (śivam | acc sg m), and non-dual (advaitam | acc sg m): [thus] they consider (manyante | 3p pl med pres) the Fourth (caturtham | acc sg m). It (saḥ | nom sg) [is] the Self (ātmā | nom sg); it (saḥ | nom sg) is to be known (vijñeyaḥ | nom sg m pfp).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Three resonance waves unfold and gather in a shared field of sound.
Three resonance waves unfold and gather in a shared field of sound.

A, U, and M

The three states correspond to the measures a, u, and m; their shared features and the fruits of this contemplation are unfolded.

Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 8
so 'yam ātmādhy-akṣaram oṃkāro 'dhi-mātraṃ pādā mātrā mātrāś ca pādā akāra ukāro makāra iti ||8||
Metre: none
With respect to the syllable (adhy-akṣaram), this Self (so ’yam ātmā | nom sg) [is] Om (oṃkāraḥ | nom sg), and [is articulated] with respect to its measures (adhi-mātram): the quarters (pādāḥ | nom pl) [are] the measures (mātrāḥ | nom pl), and (ca) the measures (mātrāḥ | nom pl) [are] the quarters (pādāḥ | nom pl), namely (iti) a (akāraḥ | nom sg), u (ukāraḥ | nom sg), and m (makāraḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 9
jāgarita-sthāno vaiśvānaro 'kāraḥ prathamā mātrāpter ādimattvād vā | āpnoti ha vai sarvān kāmān ādiś ca bhavati ya evaṃ veda ||9||
Metre: none
Vaiśvānara (vaiśvānaraḥ | nom sg), having waking as its field (jāgarita-sthānaḥ | nom sg), [is] a (akāraḥ | nom sg), the first measure (prathamā mātrā | nom sg), because of obtaining (āpteḥ | abl sg) or (vā) being first (ādimattvāt | abl sg). One who (yaḥ | nom sg m) knows (veda | 3p sg act perf) thus (evam) truly (ha vai) obtains (āpnoti | 3p sg act pres) all desires (sarvān kāmān | acc pl) and (ca) becomes (bhavati | 3p sg act pres) foremost (ādiḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 10
svapna-sthānas taijasa ukāro dvitīyā mātrotkarṣād ubhayatvād vā | utkarṣati ha vai jñāna-saṃtatiṃ samānaś ca bhavati nāsyābrahmavit kule bhavati ya evaṃ veda ||10||
Metre: none
Taijasa (taijasaḥ | nom sg), having dream as its field (svapna-sthānaḥ | nom sg), [is] u (ukāraḥ | nom sg), the second measure (dvitīyā mātrā | nom sg), because of elevation (utkarṣāt | abl sg) or (vā) intermediateness (ubhayatvāt | abl sg). One who (yaḥ | nom sg m) knows (veda | 3p sg act perf) thus (evam) truly (ha vai) elevates (utkarṣati | 3p sg act pres) the continuity of knowledge (jñāna-saṃtatim | acc sg), becomes (bhavati | 3p sg act pres) balanced (samānaḥ | nom sg m), and (ca) no one ignorant of Brahman (na abrahmavit | nom sg m) is born (bhavati | 3p sg act pres) in that person’s family (asya kule | loc sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 11
suṣupta-sthānaḥ prājño makāras tṛtīyā mātrā miter apīter vā | minoti ha vā idaṃ sarvam apītiś ca bhavati ya evaṃ veda ||11||
Metre: none
Prājña (prājñaḥ | nom sg), having deep sleep as its field (suṣupta-sthānaḥ | nom sg), [is] m (makāraḥ | nom sg), the third measure (tṛtīyā mātrā | nom sg), because of measuring (miteḥ | abl sg) or (vā) merging (apīteḥ | abl sg). One who (yaḥ | nom sg m) knows (veda | 3p sg act perf) thus (evam) truly (ha vai) measures (minoti | 3p sg act pres) all this (idaṃ sarvam | acc sg n) and (ca) becomes (bhavati | 3p sg act pres) its place of merging (apītiḥ | nom sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal
A final resonance line opens into soundless gold-and-ivory vastness.
A final resonance line opens into soundless gold-and-ivory vastness.

Om and direct recognition of the self

Measureless and beyond empirical dealings, Om is peaceful, auspicious, and non-dual; one who knows it enters the Self with the self.

Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 12
amātraś caturtho 'vyavahāryaḥ prapañcopaśamaḥ śivo 'dvaita evam oṃkāra ātmaiva | saṃviśaty ātmanātmānaṃ ya evaṃ veda ||12||
Metre: none
The Fourth (caturthaḥ | nom sg) [is] measureless (amātraḥ | nom sg), unavailable (avyavahāryaḥ | nom sg m), the stilling of the world’s display (prapañcopaśamaḥ | nom sg), auspicious (śivaḥ | nom sg m), and non-dual (advaitaḥ | nom sg m). Thus (evam) Om (oṃkāraḥ | nom sg) [is] the Self alone (ātmā eva | nom sg). One who (yaḥ | nom sg m) knows (veda | 3p sg act perf) thus (evam) enters (saṃviśati | 3p sg act pres), through the self (ātmanā | ins sg), the Self (ātmānam | acc sg).
Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal

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Dr. Ronald Steiner

Dr. Ronald Steiner

From Ulm

The "Yoga Doc" - Dr. Ronald Steiner is the founder of the AYI method. This method links traditional Ashtanga Yoga with innovative Yogatherapy and living Philosophy. This forms a practice that is personal for each and... more ›

Nils Jacob Liersch

Nils Jacob Liersch

Meine Begeisterung für Yoga, indische Philosophie und Sanskrit führte mich zum Studium der Indologie und Religionswissenschaft an der Universität Heidelberg. Seit 2004 befinde ich mich auf meinem persönlichen Yogaweg... more ›