If he meditates upon its one letter (a) only, he is quickly
born on the earth; is carried by the verses of the Rig Veda to the
world of man; and, if he is devoted there to austerity, the duties of a
religious student and faith, he enjoys greatness. But if he meditates
in his mind on its two letters (a and u), he is elevated by the verses
of the Yajur Veda to the intermediate region; comes to the world of the
moon and, having enjoyed there power, returns again (to the world of
man). If, however, he meditates on the supreme spirit by means of its
three letters (a, u, and m) he is produced in light in the sun; as the
snake is liberated from its skin, so is he liberated from sin."
According to the Mandukya-Upanishad the nature of the soul is
summarized in the three letters a, u, and m in their isolated and
combined form--a being Vaiswanara, or that form of Brahman which
represents the soul in its waking condition; a, Taijasa, or that form
of Brahman which represents it in its dreaming state; and m, Piajna, or
that form of Brahman which represents it in its state of profound sleep
(or that state in which it is temporarily united with the supreme
spirit); while a, u, m combined (i.
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