Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Para Nada Mean?
In Hinduism and yogic philosophy, para nada is the highest of the four levels of sound in the universe. The term comes from the Sanskrit, para, meaning “highest,” “ultimate” or “supreme”; and nada, meaning “sound” or “tone.”
Para nada is transcendental sound that is beyond hearing or the mind’s understanding and is infinite. Associated with the cosmic vibration of Om, para nada is heard only when the yogi is in a state of higher consciousness, just before experiencing samadhi, the final limb of yoga.
Yogapedia Explains Para Nada
While the Upanishads say that para nada is manifested in Om, it is a silent Om. According to some Hindu texts, para nada has no vibration, movement or frequency but is a sound only enlightened yogis can hear. It is sound at its maximum pitch.
The other three levels of nada are:
- Vaikhari – This is sound that is audible to the human ear.
- Madhyama – This sound is heard in the mind.
- Pashyanti – This is a sound that is perceived visually.
Believing that the whole universe is composed of sound vibrations, Nada yoga focuses on transformation from within through sound. The goal is to hear the ultimate sound, or para nada.
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