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Mahavakya

Mahavakya, literally “great sayings,” are a class of key statements found in the Upanishads that articulate a nondual understanding of reality. They express the identity of the individual self (atman) with the ultimate reality (brahman) and serve as focal points in Vedantic inquiry and spiritual practice. While associated with Advaita Vedanta, the idea of mahavakyas appears across various Vedantic traditions, each interpreting the statements within its philosophical framework.

The four most commonly cited mahavakyas are: Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman) from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad;

In interpretation, mahavakyas are not mere slogans but didactic pointers intended to disclose the ultimate nature

Originating in the ancient Upanishads, mahavakyas have influenced Indian philosophy and spirituality for centuries. They continue

Tat
Tvam
Asi
(That
Thou
Art)
from
the
Chandogya
Upanishad;
Prajnanam
Brahma
(Consciousness
is
Brahman)
from
the
Aitareya
Upanishad;
and
Ayam
Atma
Brahma
(This
Self
is
Brahman)
from
the
Mandukya
Upanishad.
Each
is
understood
as
a
concise
declaration
of
the
unity
of
the
individual
self
with
the
universal
self,
expressed
in
different
symbolic
contexts
and
levels
of
discourse.
of
reality.
They
are
typically
read
with
complementary
teachings,
such
as
analysis
of
ego,
the
nature
of
perception,
and
the
techniques
of
discernment
(viveka)
and
detachment.
Advaita
Vedanta
treats
them
as
demonstrations
of
nonduality,
while
other
schools
may
offer
nuanced
readings
that
preserve
complementary
perspectives
about
the
relationship
between
the
self
and
the
cosmos.
to
be
studied
as
canonical
expressions
of
the
core
Vedantic
insight:
the
unity
of
consciousness
and
the
totality
of
being.