The Four MahaVakyas
Prajnanam Brahma Ayam Atma Brahma Tat Tvam Asi Aham Brahmasmi
Who am I, Who is God, What is the nature of God, What is the nature of the soul. If you have ever questioned yourself about these kinds of questions. a little deep digging into yourself will unravel all your answers.
Our Ancestors have left us with a great lineage through the Upanishadic teachings, contained in the Vedanta and Jnana Yoga. These are the four great sayings or great statements in the form of MAHAVAKYAS. Maha- Great; Vakya- Sentence
Upanishad means that which destroys Ignorance and gets us closer to God or the teacher. Upanishad is the mystery of the VEDAS.
MAHAVAKYAS
The Mahavakyas contain ageless wisdom and profound truth about Self and Existence.
They are relevant even today as they were 1000 years ago. The biggest example of truth does not change with time can be said through the Mahavakyas.
The Mahavakyas
1. Prajnanam Brahma
Derived from the Aitareya Upanishad of the Rig Veda.
Prajna - 'to know' / Consciousness
Brahma - The Absolute
Consciousness is the Absolute or the Ultimate Reality
Consciousness is Brahma or Consciousness is God
Brahman is that which is Absolute, fills all spaces, all-pervading, eternal and infinite. Brahman is present in each and every individual.
2. Ayam Atma Brahma
Derived from the Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharva Veda
Ayam- This
Atma- Soul
Brahma- The Absolute
The soul is Absolute or the Ultimate Reality.
Here it keeps us connected to the larger reality and it reveals the non-duality between Atma and Brahma.
3. Tat Tvam Asi
Derived from the Chandogya Upanishad of the Sama Veda
Tat-That
Tvam- You
Asi- are
You are that Ultimate Reality
That you are, that is what you are. You are that ultimate reality you are seeking, You are not separate from the timeless and Eternal Truth, You are the oneness, You are the Truth.
4. Aham Brahma Asmi
Derived from the BrihadAranyaka Upanishad of the Yajur Veda
Aham- I
Brahma- The Absolute
Asmi-am
I am the Absolute, I am the Brahma
This is the final destination for all spiritual seekers, to know that I am the Absolute Reality.
Thank you
Dr. Yashaswini B Raj
