Vasudeva is the fourth state of consciousness known as Turiya. From Vasudeva is born Samkarshana, the Jiva (individual consciousness); from the Jiva, Pradyumna, the mind; from the mind, Aniruddha, the ego. These are the quadruple forms (vyuhas) of Consciousness, according to Pancaratra system.
The fourfold form of consciousness is experienced as states – awake, sleep, and deep dreamless sleep (sushupti). The fourth state (caturtha) or Turiya, occurs when the consciousness – in a more subtle state of matter (Pradhana) – enters the Sushumna channel and merges into the Atman.

In the state of sushupti, the soul gets partial Turiya (unconsciously) meaning the sleeper is not aware of what is taking place. The person wakes up happy. However, this “I” or Self must be experienced in a continuous and conscious way during the succession of the three states (waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep). For this reason it has been recommended that you practice Kriya (mentally) in bed before falling asleep, and always meditate in the Vedic aphorisms.

The purpose of the Second and Third Kriya is to break the heart granthi in order to get the fourth state , Turiya, or Samadhi. The heart knot is the Vishnu-Granthi. Therefore, the supreme Vishnu mantra (mahamantra) – om namo bhagavate vasudevaya – is used for this purpose. In the light of Kriya Yoga, the fourth state of Turiya, or Vasudeva, is a synonym for Kevala Kumbhaka.

On the Macrocosmic level, Vasudeva is the only and infinite Brahman – formless and without any attribute. Just as the ocean is the basis of all its diverse waves, Vasudeva is the unified field immaterial and transcendental of Being Pure at the basis of all the diversity of the physical universe.
“Who can describe that which cannot be perceived by the senses, that which is the best of all things; the supreme soul, self-existent; devoid of all distinguishing features such as color or caste; and is free from birth, vicissitude, death, and decay, is always, is everywhere, and in whom all things exist here; and this is why He is called Vasudeva?”    (Vishnu Purana I, Chapter 2)

The Vasudeva-mantra of 12 syllables – Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya – is known as a Mukti Mantra because it grants release from Samsara for the one who recites it with devotion and faith. “Vasudeva” derives from Vas “live” for Vishnu lives in all things, and everything in Him. The Mahabharata explains Vasu the same way, and Deva (God) to mean “radiant, bright”, “He whom all things reside in Him, and He resides in all; so He is called Vasu, and shines like the sun, He is called Deva, and therefore it is why these two are called Vasudeva. ‘(See Vishnu Purana Book 6. Ch. 5.)

“The essence of supreme is defined by the term Bhagavad. The word Bhagavat is the name of that primal and eternal God; and one who fully understands the significance of vasudeva-mantra, becomes endowed with divine wisdom, and understands the sum and substance of the three Vedas.

“The word Bhagavate is a way to worship that Supreme Being, however, no word can describe the supreme spirit that is individual, all-powerful, and the cause of all things.

“The letter Bha means one who nourishes and sustains the universe. Ga is understood as “the leader, impeller, or creator.” The two syllables Bhaga indicate the six properties, domain, power, glory, splendor, wisdom, and impartiality. The sense of Va letter is that Primordial Spirit in which all beings exist and which exists in all beings. Bhagavan is also a name of Vasudeva (Vishnu) who is one with the supreme Brahman, and no one else. This word, however, is the general name of a lovely object, it is not used with reference to supreme in a general sense, but in a special way.

“The name Vasudeva means “That Supreme Being in whom all beings live,” and “He who dwells in all beings”, as explained previously by Kesidhwaja to Khandikya, called Janaka, when he asked him for an explanation of Vasudeva name. He said, “He who lives internally in all beings and all things living in it, and therefore the Lord Vasudeva is the creator and preserver of the world.

“He, though one with all beings, is beyond and separate from the material nature (Prakriti), of its products, properties, imperfections; He is beyond all enveloping substance; He is the universal soul. All the interstices of the universe are filled by him. He is one with all good qualities; and all created beings are endowed with only a small portion of his individuality. Assuming at will various forms, He gives benefits to the whole world, which was his work.

Glory, power, dominion, wisdom, energy, and other attributes, are meeting Him. The Supreme Being, in whom imperfections, are non-existent. Lord over infinite and finite, God in individual and universal, visible and invisible, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, all-powerful. Wisdom, perfect, pure, supreme, immaculate, and only, for which he is designed, contemplated and known, that is wisdom; everything else is ignorance. ” (Vishnu Purana)
Much Blessings!

Yogi Professor V. Raman (Prabhu Ji) is a mystic, artist and university professor (linguistics/literature). After being initiated into Kriya Yoga by his father, he undertook his long spiritual journey under the guidance and direction of Maheshwari Prasad Dubey (Dubeyji) and other Wise and Gurus of Sri Panchanan Lineage. From a very young age, he became deeply engaged to experience the different aspects of Sanatan Dharma’s spirituality, in sat-sangha with Maha Jñanis such as Annamalai Swami (direct disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi), Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Maha Svamigal (68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham), Maha Vaishnavas such as Shri Radha Baba of Gorakhpur and 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Math.

With the purpose of promoting reflections and meditations on the path of Kriya Yoga and the Sanatan Dharma, Prof V. Raman (Prabhu Ji) collaborates with articles in the web space http://lahirimahasayakriyayoga.org/ managed by Dr. Vikram Aditya Tomar