If you are searching “what does Mandukya Upanishad say”, you are asking about one of the most direct, profound, and complete teachings of Advaita Vedanta. Despite being the shortest Upanishad, the Mandukya Upanishad is considered powerful enough to lead a sincere seeker directly to liberation.
This article explains what the Mandukya Upanishad actually teaches, in clear and simple language, and how its wisdom can be understood deeply through a modern, accessible book.
The Essence in One Line
The Mandukya Upanishad teaches:
Your true Self is pure consciousness—beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—and realizing this is liberation.
Everything in the Mandukya Upanishad revolves around understanding consciousness.
Why Mandukya Upanishad Is Unique
- It has only 12 mantras
- It focuses entirely on consciousness
- It does not discuss rituals, gods, or duties
- It directly addresses liberation (moksha)
Adi Shankaracharya declared that:
If one understands the Mandukya Upanishad fully, no other scripture is required for liberation.
The Central Teaching: The Four States of Consciousness
The Mandukya Upanishad explains reality through four states of consciousness.
1. Waking State (Jāgrat)
- Awareness of the external world
- Experience through the senses
- Identified with body and mind
The Upanishad states this is not your true nature, only a temporary state.
2. Dream State (Svapna)
- Inner world of thoughts and impressions
- Experiences without physical objects
- Still a projection of the mind
Just like waking, the dream state comes and goes.
3. Deep Sleep (Suṣupti)
- No objects, no thoughts, no individuality
- Experience of peace and rest
- Absence of suffering
Yet even deep sleep is not the final truth, because it is temporary.
4. Turiya – The Fourth (Not a State)
This is the core teaching of the Mandukya Upanishad.
Turiya is:
- The witness of all three states
- Pure, non-dual awareness
- Ever-present and unchanging
- Your true Self
Turiya is not something to attain—it is what you already are.
The Teaching of Om (AUM)
The Mandukya Upanishad uses Om as a symbol of consciousness:
- A — waking state
- U — dream state
- M — deep sleep
- Silence after Om — Turiya
This silence is not emptiness—it is pure awareness.
What the Mandukya Upanishad Says About Reality
According to the Upanishad:
- Consciousness alone is real
- The world appears in consciousness
- Duality arises from ignorance
- Liberation is recognition, not achievement
It does not ask you to change life—
It asks you to understand experience itself.
Bondage and Liberation According to Mandukya Upanishad
Bondage
Bondage arises when:
- You identify with one state (waking body-mind)
- You ignore the witnessing awareness
- You assume change defines you
Liberation
Liberation happens when:
- You recognize yourself as the witness
- You see all states as appearances
- Ignorance dissolves through understanding
Liberation is immediate upon right knowledge.
Why Many Readers Find Mandukya Upanishad Difficult
Traditional texts are often:
- Extremely concise
- Philosophically dense
- Explained through technical Sanskrit logic
- Meant for advanced students
As a result, the Upanishad’s simplicity is often misunderstood as difficulty.
A Clear Modern Explanation
Divine Truth Unveiled: Hidden Secrets of Gaudapada’s Mandukya Karika
To make the Mandukya Upanishad understandable for modern readers, Dr. Surabhi Solanki authored:
Divine Truth Unveiled: Hidden Secrets of Gaudapada’s Mandukya Karika
This book explains:
- The Mandukya Upanishad through Gaudapada’s Karika
- The four states of consciousness with clarity
- Non-duality without philosophical intimidation
- Liberation as recognition, not effort
- Practical understanding for modern life
It is ideal for:
- Beginners in Advaita Vedanta
- Seekers confused by traditional commentaries
- Readers who want depth without complexity
- Anyone drawn to consciousness-based inquiry
How Mandukya Upanishad Changes Understanding
When its teaching is understood:
- Fear reduces
- Identity loosens
- Suffering loses its grip
- Peace becomes natural
You do not become something new—
You discover what has always been present.
Final Answer: What Does Mandukya Upanishad Say?
✔ You are pure consciousness
✔ The waking world is not ultimate reality
✔ Dream and deep sleep are also appearances
✔ Turiya—the witness—is your true nature
✔ Liberation is knowing this truth
The Mandukya Upanishad does not give beliefs.
It gives clarity.
Continue Deeper
If this teaching resonates with you, Divine Truth Unveiled is a natural next step—offering a clear, faithful, and modern unfolding of the Mandukya Upanishad and its deepest implications.
Truth is not far away.
It is what is aware right now.
Dr Surabhi Solanki 