Neither inward consciousness nor outward consciousness, nor both together, nor a mass of consciousness, nor conscious nor unconscious. Invisible, beyond transaction, ungraspable, without marks, unthinkable, indescribable, whose essence is the certainty of the one Self, in whom multiplicity ceases, peaceful, auspicious, non-dual — that they consider the Fourth. That is the Ātman. That is to be known.

The culminating verse of the Māṇḍūkya, describing Turīya — the fourth state, beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.

The description is apophatic (by negation):

• Na antaḥprajñam — not inner consciousness (not as in dreams)
• Na bahiṣprajñam — not outer consciousness (not as in waking)
• Na ubhayataḥprajñam — not both
• Na prajñānaghana — not a mass of consciousness (not as in deep sleep)

It is adṛṣṭa (invisible), avyavahārya (beyond transactions), agrāhya (ungraspable), alakṣaṇa (without characteristics), acintya (unthinkable), avyapadeśya (indescribable).

Positively: ekātmapratyayasāra — its essence is the certainty of the one Self. Prapañcopaśama — cessation of multiplicity. Śānta — peace. Śiva — auspicious. Advaita — non-dual.

Sa ātmā, sa vijñeyaḥ — That is the Ātman, that is to be known.