Markandeyapurana 42.6

42.6

pipīlikāgatisparśā prayuktā mūrdhni lakṣyate /
yathā prayukta oṅgāraḥ pratiniryāti mūrdhani //

A and U and M are its three letters; these are its three instants; they are characterized by goodness, passion and ignorance. And another, a half instant,[1] which has its seat on the top of the syllable, is without quality and can be understood by yogis only. It is called gāndhārī,[2] as it is to be uttered in the gāndhāra note.[3] Being pronounced it reaches the head, and it conveys the feeling of ants moving over the body.

As the syllable Om being pronounced reaches the head, the yogi who is lost in meditation of Om should become united with Brahma, the Supreme Soul. Life is his bow, the soul is his arrow, Brahma is the target sublime. It is to be pierced by the heedful man; he should be united with Brahma, as the arrow becomes embedded in the target.