A relates to the jagrata avastha where the individual is awake and relates outwardly to the material world. The sound A or akara relates to the anahata chakra. The consciousness in this state is known as the Vaishvanara. This is represented by the lower curve in the 3 shaped part of Aum. You will notice that the lower curve is larger and outwardly drawn too, to symbolise this state of consciousness and that most of the being dwell in this state.

Anahata Chakra

U relates to the swapna awastha to the dream state in sleep, where the consciousness of the individual is inward driven and there is relative state of greater awareness of the larger reality. The of U or Ukara relates to the vishuddha chakra. The consciousness in this state is known as the Taijasa. This is represented by the middle line in the 3 shaped part of Aum. You will notice that this is inwardly drawn.

Vishuddha Chakra

M relates to the susupta awastha or the state of deep sleep where it is almost akin to being in deep meditation. The Makara relates to the ajna chakra that has the Aum actually in the chakra diagrammatic representation. The consciousness in this state is known as the Prajna, where higher consciousness dissolves the baser impressions of earthly life. This is represented by the upper curve in the 3 shaped part of Aum.

Beyond all this there is a fourth state that INDESCRIBABLE one known as the Turiya. In a bid to understand, the concept is often described as the silence that follows the sound or reverberation of Aum and also that which envelopes Aum. It is important that the sound can stand out only and only  if there is silence (we understand things in relation there has to be dukha to understand sukha, there has to be bitter in order to understand sweet , there is always a dark against which we understand the importance of light!). However, the silence that envelops this primordial sound has its own formidable energy and bearing. It is in this state that complete bliss, the oneness of everything prevails.

sahasrara Chakra

However, contemplating the Aum, there is a great significance attached to the bindu (the dot) that sits in a crescent. It is this Bindu that is believed to be a gateway in the Sahasrara Chakra, where everything else dissolves, all karmas are done away with. The path to enlightenment or that which may be called Turiya is right here.

The crescent represents the play of Maya, which separates the pure consciousness from the manifestation on the earthly level. It keeps the being in a differentiated, illusory place. The Bindu however sits atop Maya (which sits over the levels of consciousness) denoting that the realm of the Bindu is unaffected by the play of Maya.

Mandukya Upanishad is the sacred text that has explained Aum and the concept in relation to human being or self in detail. One can go on and on with expositions and treatises but it should suffice to say that from here and now the experience of it should take over.

Om is the bow, the self is the arrow, Brahman is called its aim. It is to be hit by a man who is not thoughtless; and then as the arrow becomes one with the target he will become one with Brahman.

In him the heaven the earth, and the sky are woven, the mind also with all the senses. Know him alone as the self, and leave off other worlds! He is the bridge of the Immortal.

He moves about becoming manifold within the heart where the arteries meet, like spokes fastened to the nave. Meditate on the Self as Aum! Hail to you that you may cross beyond the sea of darkness.  (Upanishads, The Holy Spirit of the Vedas– F Max Muller)

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Abhijita Kulshrestha, Director and Senior consultant, PGA Gemstoneuniverse

Abhijita Kulshrestha is the Director and astrologer at Gemstoneuniverse. She is a PGA and GIA certified astro-gemologist. She is also a certified NLP practitioner (NFNLP). Abhijita is essentially a communication professional and holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. Prior to her soul-level engagement with the world of Vedic astrology, gemstones and association with Gemstoneuniverse, she had a long stint in ‘word smithy’ ! She had professional stints at Mudra institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA); RK Swamy BBDO, Bangalore and Times of India.

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