Prashna Upanishad: Unity in Sleep and Salvation through Om
In deep sleep, the individual merges in blissful unity with the Self, losing awareness of the outer and inner worlds, just like a lover in deep embrace. All functions—speech, mind, and prana—gradually dissolve into the Self, and ultimately into Brahman. In Chapter 5, the sage Satyakama asks about the results of meditating on the sacred syllable ‘Om’. Depending on the depth of understanding, Om leads to worldly rebirth, heavenly enjoyment, or eternal liberation. Meditating on only one or two parts of Om results in temporary rewards. But full meditation on Om with knowledge leads to union with Brahman. For More Information Click Here
Prashna Upanishad Chapter 4
Verse 10
“Just as a person in the embrace of a beloved does not know anything outside or inside, so also the individual soul, embraced by the Self, is unaware of anything in deep sleep.”
Explanation:
This verse uses the metaphor of deep love or intimacy to explain deep sleep. Just as one forgets everything in complete union with a beloved, the individual soul merges in the Self and experiences no duality. This state reflects peaceful unity with the Self, though not consciously known.
Verse 11
“In this state, the pranas remain active. Fire (speech) becomes merged in the mind; the mind in the prana; prana in the Self; and the Self in the supreme Brahman.”
Explanation:
During deep sleep, the functions of speech and mind dissolve progressively, going inward until everything merges into the Self, and finally into Brahman. This reveals the path of subtle inward dissolution, where the individual returns to the source of all existence. For More Information Click Here
Prashna Upanishad Chapter 5
Verse 1
Question (by Satyakama):
“If a person meditates on the syllable ‘Om’ until death, what does he attain?”
Explanation:
Satyakama asks about the spiritual power of ‘Om’ and its role in leading to liberation or heavenly realms based on the depth of meditation.
Verse 2
Answer (by Pippalada):
“If he meditates on one letter (A) alone, he is led by the sun to the world of man. There, he enjoys and then returns to earth again.”
Explanation:
Meditating on the first part of Om (‘A’) with limited understanding leads to earthly or human realms. There is temporary enjoyment, but no liberation—rebirth follows.
Verse 3
“If he meditates on the two letters (A + U) together, he is taken to the lunar realm by the same energy. He experiences divinity and returns after enjoying heavenly pleasures.”
Explanation:
A deeper meditation on two parts of Om yields greater heavenly reward—a stay in celestial regions like heaven (moon-world), but still with return to birth. For More Information Click Here
Verse 4
“But if one meditates on the full ‘Om’ (A + U + M) with the knowledge of its meaning, he becomes united with Brahman. He becomes freed from birth and attains immortality.”
Explanation:
Meditation on the complete Om with true knowledge leads to liberation (moksha). The meditator transcends all realms and becomes one with Brahman, free from rebirth.
Verse 5
“That ‘Om’ is both the lower and higher Brahman. Therefore, the wise person reaches Brahman by meditating on Om with understanding.”
Explanation:
**‘Om’ is the symbol of both the manifest (saguna) and unmanifest (nirguna) Brahman. When meditated upon properly, it leads the seeker directly to the highest realization.
Verse 6
“This is the truth: the meditative recitation of Om leads to immortality. Through Om, one reaches the Self, and by knowing the Self, one becomes fearless and immortal.”
Explanation:
This verse declares with certainty that Om is the doorway to immortality. Knowing the Self through Om brings fearlessness and final liberation.
Verse 7
“Pippalada thus instructed Satyakama, who understood and rejoiced in the knowledge. Indeed, he knew the truth and became free.”
Explanation:
Satyakama, having received this wisdom on Om and the Self, rejoices. His joy signifies absorption in truth, showing that true knowledge leads to inner fulfillment and freedom. For More Information Click Here
Adi Shankaracharya on the Inner Self and Omkara Meditation
Shankaracharya emphasizes that the Self (Atman) is ever-present, untouched by the states of waking, dream, or deep sleep. In deep sleep, the individual neither acts nor desires, indicating the natural state of non-duality, where the ego dissolves and the Self alone remains. The metaphor of a lover’s embrace shows that the Self is the source of supreme bliss, though not consciously grasped in that state.
In Chapter 5, Shankaracharya points out that meditation on Om reflects one’s level of understanding of Brahman. A limited grasp leads to transitory results, like rebirth or heaven. But full meditation on all three parts of Om (A-U-M), with right knowledge, leads to moksha (liberation). Om is not merely a sound—it is a symbol of Brahman, both saguna (with attributes) and nirguna (without attributes). Only through jnana (self-knowledge) and inner absorption, not mere ritual, can one realize the truth.
Thus, Shankara teaches that deep introspection, renunciation of ego, and meditation on Om with full understanding reveal the immortal, fearless Self. This is the highest teaching of the Upanishads—You are That (Tat Tvam Asi). For More Information Click Here
Conclusion
These verses emphasize the progressive path inward, from external experience to the Self and then to Brahman. Deep sleep illustrates how the individual naturally returns to the Self, hinting at our deeper identity. The syllable Om acts as a powerful spiritual tool that can lead to various results, based on the seeker’s intent and insight. Shallow meditation yields finite joy; true understanding brings immortality. Ultimately, realization of the Self as Brahman alone grants fearlessness and freedom from rebirth. The Upanishad teaches that both knowledge and depth of meditation are essential for liberation.
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