Thread by @Vasudev00411816

1/Out of the six systems of philosophy of #Hinduism, the #Vedanta system is the most popular one & its canonical works are #Upanishads, #Brahmasutras, & #BhagavadGita, considered as SRUTIS by #Hindus (Primary Scriptures revealed by GOD & passed on to generations by vsrious sages.

2/The Smritis are secondary scriptures recorded through memory by human origin ).
The four great #Vedas have two portions, Karma-Kanda(sacrificial/ ritual portion) & Gnana-Kanda(Wisdom portion, known as Vedanta that prepares for Higher Spiritual Vision/ attainment)

3/The Upanishads are known as Vedanta( which means Final Goal of wisdom. Veda is wisdom & Anta means end)
The ONENESS of Soul and GOD lies at the very root of all Vedic thought. It is the IDEAL OF UNITY OF ALL LIFE & ONENESS OF TRUTH, makes UPANISHADS appealing to modern minds.

4/Though the total number of #Upanishads in print exceeds 250, only 10 are accepted authoritative, since #AdiSankara had chosen to write commentaries on them.
#MandukyaUpanishad is the smallest of 10 Upanishads & belongs to AthervaVeda.

5/This is considered as the basic to the principles of Advaita Vedanta & analyses the four states of Human  CONSCIOUSNESS viz; Wakefulness,  Dream, Deep-Sleep & Transcedental( Super Consciousness) where all objective relations and perceptions of Duality are completely negated

6/#AdiSankara had pointed out that these four states are like four parts of a coin, each resolving into the one next to it. When the first three human states resolve into the fourth TRANSCENDENTAL STATE - to realise the object of enquiry- ABSOLUTE).

7/This REALITY.CONSCIOUSNESS, BLISS ABSOLUTE manifests when Unity of the individual Self & Supreme Self is found.
This Upanishad is the epitome of all 108 Upanishads and asserts the ABSOLUTE REALITY is non-dual, attributeless (Nirguna BRAHMAN)

8/According to Vedic philosophy, the Universe begins with the vibration of the Primal Energy, which has a sound symbol called OM. No object can be thought of without the help of its sound symbol as sound & object are considered inseparable.

9/The sound OM is considered ABSOLUTE in  MADUKYA UPANISAD, considered as basic to the principles of Advaita Vedanta.
OM exists in all times - past, present & future and transcedental. OM is BRAHMAN-ATMAN-ALL PERVADING SPIRIT-with attributes & also attributeless.

10/Meditating on OM, the subject realises REALITY in Waking, Dream, Deep-sleep states.The state of Waking is represented by syllable "A" of OM or AUM, the  Dream state by syllable "U", Deep-sleep state by syllable "M". The SUPER CONSCIOUSNESS state(Turiya) indicates UNITY of

11/individual Self &SUPREME SELF. 
These four aspects of Consciousness are considered ATMAN or BRAHMAN.
The first quarter, the syllable "A" of Atman with the Waking State for its field, outwardly cognitive. From individual standpoint it is individual physicsl condition of ego

12/which is also the Cosmic Manifestation from Macrocosmic view.
The Dream State, represented by syllable "U" of OM, denotes individual dream consciousness which cognises subtle objects & impressions of waking life In memory. From Macrocosmic standpoint, this is UNIVERSAL MIND.

13/The Deep-sleep state, represented by "M"of OM, is the intellect from individual standpoint. From Macrocosmic standpoint, it is ISWARA, the first cause( COSMIC SOUL)of all individual souls that experience unified cognition, full of Bliss.

14/The fourth or Transcedental state runs through all states & forms, the VERY BASIS to self-identity felt with regard to changing states. This is REALLY THE WHOLE, BRAHMAN-ATMAN, the SOUNLESS ASPECT OF OM.
Sat-Chit-Ananda or EXISTENCE-KNOWLEDGE-BLISS.
This is TURIYA.

15/Reason & Self-analysis are thus shown to lead to BRAHMAN, the self-existent, unchanging, PURE SUBSTRATUM of changing world, which is nothing but BRAHMAN-ATMAN.

This #Upanisad provides a rational support, destroys the objections of agnostics nihilists & atheists.

16/For a detailed commentary one can read the greatest Vedantic teacher, Gaudapada's KARIKA which is an integral part of this short #MandukyaUpanishad.

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