Atmabodha

Atmabodha is a short Sanskrit text attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, a renowned philosopher and theologian. The title Atmabodha translates to "Self-Knowledge." It is considered one of the foundational prakaranagranthas, or introductory texts, in Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The text is structured as a series of verses that systematically explain the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and the path to liberation (moksha). It aims to dispel ignorance (avidya) by distinguishing between the eternal, unchanging self and the transient, material world.

Atmabodha begins by asserting that the ultimate reality is Brahman, which is identical to Atman. It then describes the body, senses, and mind as mere instruments or coverings that are not the true self. Through a process of negation and affirmation, the text guides the reader to recognize the non-dual nature of existence. It emphasizes that the apparent multiplicity of the universe arises from ignorance and that realizing the oneness of Atman and Brahman leads to freedom from the cycle of birth and death. The language used is relatively simple and direct, making it accessible to seekers of spiritual knowledge. Its teachings are crucial for understanding the core tenets of Advaita Vedanta.