The Nadabindu Upanishad is one of the minor Upanishads of Hinduism and one of the twenty Yoga Upanishads in the four Vedas. It is also known as Amrita Nada Bindu Upanishad, meaning the Upanishad of the immortal sound point. It is a text that explores the nature and significance of the inner sound (nada) that can be heard in deep meditation and how it leads to the ultimate liberation (moksha) of the soul.

What is Nada?

Nada is a Sanskrit word that means sound, vibration, or resonance. It refers to the subtle sound that can be perceived by the yogi who practices meditation and mantra. Nada is not an ordinary sound that is produced by external objects or instruments, but an unstruck sound (anahata nada) that arises from within the heart of the meditator. Nada is also called shabda-brahman, meaning the sound manifestation of the supreme reality.

According to the Nadabindu Upanishad, nada is the source of creation and dissolution of the universe. It is also the means and the goal of yoga, as it connects the individual soul (jiva) with the supreme soul (paramatma). By listening to and concentrating on nada, the yogi can transcend the limitations of the body and mind and attain a state of blissful union with Brahman.

How to Practice Nada Yoga?

Nada yoga is the yoga of sacred sound. It involves various techniques of listening to, chanting, and meditating on nada. The Nadabindu Upanishad describes one such technique in detail. It consists of four steps:

  1. Sit in a comfortable posture with a straight spine and close your eyes. Breathe deeply and calmly.
  2. Plug your ears with your thumbs and focus your attention on the space between your eyebrows (ajna chakra). You may hear various sounds such as buzzing, humming, ringing, or roaring.
  3. Ignore these sounds and try to listen to a more subtle sound that is like a flute, a bell, a conch, or a bee. This is nada.
  4. Concentrate on this sound and let it fill your entire being. Gradually, you will experience a state of peace, joy, and bliss.

What are the Benefits of Nada Yoga?

Nada yoga has many benefits for the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of the practitioner. Some of them are:

  • It calms and purifies the mind by removing distractions and negative thoughts.
  • It enhances concentration, memory, and creativity by stimulating the brain and nervous system.
  • It balances and harmonizes the energy centers (chakras) and channels (nadis) in the body by creating resonance and vibration.
  • It awakens and activates the latent potentialities of the soul by opening up higher levels of consciousness.
  • It leads to self-realization and liberation by dissolving the ego and merging with Brahman.

Conclusion

The Nadabindu Upanishad is an ancient text that teaches us how to use sound as a tool for spiritual transformation. By practicing nada yoga, we can tune into our inner sound and discover our true nature as Brahman. Nada yoga is a simple yet profound way of connecting with ourselves and with the divine.

Works Cited:
(1) Nadabindu Upanishad – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadabindu_Upanishad
(2) Nadabindu Upanishad – Wikiwand. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Nadabindu_Upanishad
(3) Nada Bindu Upanishad | Classic Yoga. https://www.classicyoga.co.in/2018/03/nada-bindu-upanishad/
(4) Nadabindu Upanishad – Vyasa Mahabharata. https://www.vyasaonline.com/nadabindu-upanishad/