Krishjan

Chapter 5 — Fifth Question

Prashna

7 Shloka • Translation Only

Then Satyakāma Śaibya approached and asked: “Revered Sir, if a person meditates upon Om (Oṁkāra) until the end of life, which world does he attain through that meditation?”

To him, the sage replied: “O Satyakāma, Om (Oṁkāra) is indeed both the lower (apara) and the higher (para) Brahman. Therefore, one who knows this attains either of these through this very support, namely Om.”

If one meditates upon Om as consisting of only one measure (the syllable A), then, enlightened by that alone, he quickly attains the human world. The Ṛg Vedic hymns lead him to the world of human beings. There, endowed with austerity (tapas), brahmacarya, and faith (śraddhā), he experiences greatness and excellence.

But if one meditates upon Om as consisting of two measures (A and U), he attains the realm of the mind. By the Yajur Vedic hymns, he is led to the intermediate region (Antarikṣa) and to the world of Soma (the lunar realm). Having enjoyed glory and exalted experiences in the Soma-world, he returns again to earthly existence.

But he who meditates upon Om in its three measures (A-U-M), contemplating through this very syllable the Supreme Person (Paraṁ Puruṣa)— becomes united with the radiance of the Sun. Just as a snake sheds its old skin, so indeed is he freed from sin and impurity. He is led by the Sāma Vedic hymns to Brahma-loka. There, transcending this aggregate of embodied life, he beholds the Supreme Person, who dwells beyond all and within the city of the heart. Concerning this, the following two verses are declared:

The three measures of Om, when used separately, are connected with the realm of mortality. But when they are properly united and not separated from one another, and are rightly applied in the outer, inner, and intermediate modes of contemplation, the knower remains unshaken and steadfast.

Through the Ṛg Veda one attains the human realm; through the Yajur Veda, the intermediate region; and through the Sāma Veda, that which the wise seers (kavayaḥ) realize. The knower, using Om alone as the means of approach, attains That which is peaceful, ageless, immortal, fearless, and supreme.