Let us consider the topic of Pranava, which has been mentioned. Krishna said that the Pranava is the very life of the Vedas, is it not? The Vedas are reputedly "An-aadi" or "beginning-less." Pranava is spoken of as the very life-breath of the Vedas, which are themselves beyond all beginning. Take it that the Pranava is the subtle essence, the underlying form of every particle and substance in the universe.

There are two parts in every single substance in the universe: name and form, Nama and Rupa. Take away these two and there is no Prapancha or universe any more. The form is no Prapancha or universe any more. The form is conceived and controlled by the name. The Rupa is dependent on the name; so if you reason out which is more lasting, you will find that the name is Nithyam and the Rupam is A-nithyam. Consider the case of persons who have done various good works, achieved meritorious deeds, constructed hospitals or schools or temples or places of worship; now, even their form is absent from the world for men to see, their names with all the associated fame are ever present in human memory, is it not? The Rupam lasts but for a brief time; but the Namam continues.

Names are countless, and so are Rupams. But there is one matter which you have to take into consideration here, a matter which is within the daily experience of all, from the Pundit down to the ignoramus: Aksharas or letters. In Telugu, there are 52 letters; in English, there are just 26. Even if you pile up the entire literary output in Telugu or in English and the piles rise mountain high, it is all composed of either the 52 Telugu letters or the 26 English ones, not a single letter more.

Similarly, in the human body there are six nerve centres, all in the form of the lotus-flower. All the six lotus-forms have one letter or sound attached to each petal. Like the reeds in the harmonium, when the petals are moved, each one emits a distinct sound. Those who follow this statement intelligently may get a doubt; if the petals are said to move, who or what is moving them? Yes, the force that moves them is the Anaahathadhwani, the primeval sound, the undistinguished indistinguishable sound, emanating without effort, irrespective of conscious will. That is the Pranava. As beads in the string, all letters and the sounds they represent are strung on the Pranava. That is the meaning of the statement that He is the "Pranava of the Vedas." Krishna's teaching is that you should merge your mind in the Pranava, which is the universal basis.

The mind has an innate tendency to merge in whatever it contacts; it craves for this. So, it is ever agitated and restless. But by constant practice and training, it can be directed towards the Pranava and taught to merge with it. It is also naturally drawn towards sound. That is the reason why it is compared to a serpent. The serpent has two crude qualities; one, its crooked gait and two, its tendency to bite all that comes in its way. These two are also the characteristics of man. He too seeks to hold and possess all that he sets his eyes on. He too moves crookedly.