The Sandilya Vidya Mantra originates from the teachings of the sage Shandilya, as recorded in the Shandilya Upanishad (a minor Upanishad associated with the Atharvaveda) and the Sandilya Bhakti Sutras. This body of knowledge expounds the nature of Brahman as the ultimate reality and the path of bhakti (devotion) as the means to realize that reality. The core mantra, often chanted as 'Om Sandilya Vidya Maha Mantra' or simply 'Om Sandilya', is not a single fixed phrase but a set of contemplative formulas that guide the aspirant through the stages of devotion. According to the Shandilya Upanishad (verse 1.1), the mantra is revealed as a meditation on Brahman as the inner self, with the beej-akshara 'Om' representing the primordial sound and the essence of the Vedas.
The phoneme analysis of 'Om' (A-U-M) symbolizes the three states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—leading to the fourth state, turiya, which is Brahman. The Sandilya Bhakti Sutras (Sutra 1.1.2) define bhakti as 'para-anurakti' or supreme attachment to the Lord, and the mantra is chanted to cultivate this attachment. The traditional purpose of this vidya is to attain divine love (prema) and the realization of the supreme Brahman, as described in the Upanishad. It is recommended to chant the mantra 108 times daily, preferably during brahma muhurta (the early morning hours), in a clean and quiet space, with a focus on the heart center.
The practitioner should maintain a sattvic diet and a devotional attitude. There are no specific cautions, but the mantra is considered powerful and should be approached with reverence and a pure mind. The Sandilya Vidya is also associated with the study of the Bhakti Sutras, which provide a philosophical framework for the practice. This mantra is chanted pan-India, especially during bhakti study sessions and by followers of the bhakti tradition.
The great mantra of the knowledge of Shandilya.
The mantra is centered on the beej-akshara 'Om' (A-U-M), representing the three states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, deep sleep) and the fourth state turiya, which is Brahman.