Thursday, March 30, 2006

Mahavakyas from Vedanta -- 2

Thanks to the notes in the introduction to Vivekachudamani by Prof. John Grimes (pages 28 and 52), I could get the references for the Mahavakyas from Vedanta.



  1. Prajnanam Brahma: meaning "The Absolute is Consciousness". This Mahavakya is from Aitareya Upanishad, 3.1.3 of Rig Veda.

  2. Ayam Atma Brahma: meaning "The Self is Absolute". This Mahavakya is from Mandukya Upanishad, 2.7, Atharava Veda.

  3. Tat tvam asi: meaning "That thou art". This Mahavakya is from Chandogya Upanisad, 6.8.7, Sama Veda.

  4. Aham Brahmasmi: meaning "I am the Absolute". This Mahavakya is from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10, Yajur Veda.



Also Prof. Grimes refers to the following verses from Vivekachudamani (V): 162, 204, 251-65, 270, 281, 284, 305, 334. Also, in the same book (page 29), Prof. Grimes refers to some other passages from Upanishads as ones that support the above Mahavakyas. They are the following:



  1. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma: meaning "Everything is Brahman". This is from Chandogya Upanishad, 3.14.1, from Sama Veda.

  2. Satyam, Jnanam Anantam Brahma: meaning "Brahman is Existence-absolute , Knowledge-absolute, Infinite-absolute". This is from Taittareiya Upanishad, 2.1 from Yajur Veda.


Also, Prof. Grimes refers to the following verses from Vivekachudamani to support his argument: 154, 227, 395, 413, 466, 475.

I have a previous post on the same subject (some references in the previous post are possibly incorrect).
My previous first post on the book.

No comments: