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