Agama Prakarana
The Chapter based on Vedic Testimony
AUM, the word, is all this, the whole universe. All that is past, present and future is, indeed, AUM.
Chapter I Agama Prakarana
Harih Aum! AUM, the word, is all this, the whole universe. A clear explanation of it is as follows: All that is past, present and future is, indeed, AUM. And whatever else there is, beyond the threefold division of time—that also is truly AUM.
All this is, indeed, Brahman. This Atman is Brahman. This same Atman has four quarters.
Turiya is not that which is conscious of the inner (subjective) world, nor that which is conscious of the outer (objective) world, nor that which is conscious of both, nor that which is a mass of consciousness. It is not simple consciousness nor is It unconsciousness. It is unperceived, unrelated, incomprehensible, uninferable, unthinkable and indescribable. The essence of the Consciousness manifesting as the self in the three states, It is the cessation of all phenomena; It is all peace, all bliss and non-dual. This is what is known as the Fourth (Turiya). This is Atman and this has to be realized.
Gaudapada Karikas
Visva is all-pervading, the experiencer of external objects. Taijasa is the cognizer of internal objects. Prajna is a mass of consciousness. It is one alone that is thus known in the three states.
AUM is verily the lower Brahman. It is also stated to be the Higher Brahman. AUM is beginningless and unique. There is nothing outside it. It is unrelated to any effect and is immutable.
Chapter II Vaitathya Prakarana
The Chapter on Illusion
The wise declare the unreality of all entities seen in dreams, because they are located within the body and the space therein is confined.
Chapter III Advaita Prakarana
The Chapter on Non-duality
The jiva, betaking himself to devotional worship, abides in the manifest Brahman. He thinks that before the creation all was of the same nature as the birthless Reality. Therefore he is said to possess a narrow intellect.
Chapter IV Alatasanti Prakarana
The Chapter on the Quenching of the Fire-brand
I bow to the best among men, who, by means of knowledge, which is like akasa and which is non-different from the goal of knowledge, realized the nature of the jivas (dharmas), which, too, are like akasa.
Final Salutation
by Sri Sankaracharya
I salute Brahman, the destroyer of the fear of those who take refuge in It—which, though unborn, appears to be associated with birth through Its own majestic powers; which, though motionless, appears to be moving; and which, though non- dual, appears to have assumed many forms to those whose vision is deluded by the perception of diverse objects and their attributes.
I prostrate myself at the feet of the teacher of my teacher, the most adored among the adorable, who—out of sheer compassion for the beings drowned in the deep ocean of the world, infested by the terrible sharks of incessant births and deaths—rescued, for the benefit of all, this nectar, hardly attainable even by the immortals...
Aum Tat Sat
Peace! Peace! Peace!