Acharya Prashant addresses a question regarding verses 12 and 13 of the 8th chapter of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, which discuss attaining the supreme state by uttering 'Om'. He clarifies that one cannot attain the supreme state by merely uttering the word. He explains that the context of the Gita involves a relationship of profound honesty between the speaker, Shri Krishna, and the listener, Arjun. The author of the Gita could not have imagined a time when people would repeat its verses without understanding their meaning. It was assumed that one would only speak what one understands. Therefore, when the Gita instructs to utter 'Om', it presupposes a deep understanding of what 'Om' signifies. The speaker reinforces this by mentioning that in the 18th chapter, Shri Krishna warns against giving this knowledge to those who are not devoted or truthful, emphasizing that sincerity and comprehension are prerequisites. To explain the true meaning of 'Om', Acharya Prashant refers to the Upanishads, particularly the Mandukya Upanishad, as the Gita is considered the essence of the Upanishads. He breaks down 'Om' into its components: the three sounds 'A', 'U', 'M', and the fourth, silent state. 'A' (A-kaar) represents the waking state of consciousness (Jagrat), encompassing the external world and our thoughts. 'U' (U-kaar) represents the dream state (Swapna), which reveals our subconscious tendencies. 'M' (M-kaar) represents the deep sleep state (Sushupti), which is the root of the ego-tendency. The fourth state, Turiya, is the silence that follows 'M', which is the witness to the other three states—the Atman, the Truth. Thus, to contemplate 'Om' is to understand the entirety of the mind and that which is beyond it. 'Om' is a symbol that encapsulates the whole universe, the different states of consciousness, and the path to liberation. It is a challenge and a powerful method, but its true benefit is realized only through deep understanding, not through mechanical chanting. The ancient spiritual science of India was sound-based, and 'Om' represents the entirety of existence. Those who chant 'Om' without understanding its profound meaning will only receive superficial benefits.
