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What is the meaning of the Vedic Maha Vaakya- Tat Tvam Asi?

6/22/2023

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"Tat Tvam Asi", a phrase from the ancient Chandogya Upanishad, is one of Hindu philosophy's four Maha-Vaakyas or "great sayings".

Translated from Sanskrit, it means "Thou Art That," or in more contemporary terms, "You are That."

​Understanding this simple yet profound statement requires a journey into the philosophical depths of Advaita Vedanta.

"Tat Tvam Asi" - The Maha Vaakya

​At its core, "Tat Tvam Asi" signifies the unity of the individual self (Jiva or Atman)  with the universal Self (Brahman).  The phrase is presented in the Upanishad as a teaching from the sage Uddalaka to his son Shvetaketu.

​The sage employs various analogies to illuminate this truth, one of the most memorable being that of salt dissolved in water, signifying the indistinguishability of the individual self from the universal Self.
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"Tat," or "That," refers to Brahman, the ultimate reality or absolute truth in Hindu philosophy. Brahman is formless, limitless, unchanging, and transcendent, yet it is the essence of everything in the cosmos.

"Tvam," or "You," signifies the individual self or Atman. In our everyday experience, we tend to identify with our body, mind, and ego, perceiving ourselves as separate entities. However, Vedantic philosophy posits that beneath these layers of identity lies the Atman, our true Self, which is divine and identical to Brahman.

"Asi," or "Are," is the connecting word, asserting the fundamental identity of Atman and Brahman. This is not a relationship of similarity, but of oneness. It proclaims that the individual self, when stripped of its false identities, is not different from the universal Self.

Understanding "Tat Tvam Asi" is more than an intellectual exercise; it is an experiential realization. It requires self-inquiry and meditation to peel away layers of ignorance and illusion. It demands the courage to look beyond superficial identities tied to our body, mind, and social roles. As we delve deeper into our consciousness, we begin to experience our true nature as pure existence, consciousness, and bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda).
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The realization of "Tat Tvam Asi" has profound implications. It dissolves the illusion of separateness, fostering a sense of unity with all existence. This transformative understanding can lead to a life marked by compassion, love, and peace, as we no longer see others as separate from ourselves.

​In conclusion...

​"Tat Tvam Asi" is a profound declaration of non-duality, encapsulating the essence of Advaita Vedanta.

It is a guiding light for spiritual seekers aiming to experience their true nature and realize the interconnectedness of all life. It serves as a reminder that beneath our perceived differences, we are one with the universal truth.
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    Vedic Culture, which   is the culture of the original Himalayan Masters,    is one of the most advanced ancient civilizations.  It is a tradition which has given mankind several treasures such Yoga, Meditation, Conscious-Living and Vedic Sciences such as Ayurveda, Vedic Physics & Vedic Mathematics.

    It was always a scientific culture that understood the very mechanics and workings of this Universe. Their deities, their gods and goddesses were all a way of expressing and explaining these energies and their inter-working. Modern Quantum Mechanics is just starting to understand string theory, dark matter etc. which have all been fundamental to the Vedic understanding. Because of this, they developed ways and methods which allowed one to best tap into life-energy itself.

    Vedic Culture, as it was practiced by the Himalayan Masters, was always a "way of life" and not a religion.

    Their basic view was that, there is only ONE Supreme God-head (God as our creator) and each one of us can find our path to it- experience union with that divinity (Yoga) in their own way.

    Because of this, anyone with any religious affiliations and beliefs can still benefit from their knowledgeable ways of Vedic Wisdom.

    Our attempt here is to present this ancient wisdom in a modern light, so our readers can interpret the true, essential meaning more easily and then extrapolate it to their own specific scenarios and enhance the quality of their life and being-ness.
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