MahaVakyas - The Great Contemplations

Discussion in 'Hinduism' started by Amit, Dec 28, 2015.

  1. Amit

    Amit New Member

    MahaVakyas - The Great Contemplations
    There are 7 Mahavkyas in Vedanta. This thread is to discuss these Mahavakyas.

    Four of the Mahavakyas are most traditional to Vedanta. Some 1200 years ago Adi Shankaracharya assigned one Mahavakya to one of four monastic teaching centers or mutts in India.


    Prajnanam brahman
    Brahman is supreme knowledge
    Aitareya Upanishad 3.3, of Rig Veda
    Puri/Govardhana East

    Tat tvam asi
    That is what you are
    Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7, of Sama Veda,
    Kaivalya Upanishad
    Dwaraka/Sarada/Gujrat West

    Ayam atma brahma
    Atman and brahman are the same
    Mandukya Upanishad 1.2, of Atharva Veda
    Jyoti/Badrinath North

    Aham brahmasmi
    I am brahman
    Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10, of Yajur Veda,
    Mahanarayana Upanishad
    Sringeri/Mysore South

    These are the 7 MahaVakya. They give us the essence of the Advaita Vedanta.

    1. Brahma satyam jagan mithya
    Brahman is real; the world is unreal

    2. Ekam evadvitiyam brahma
    Brahman is one, without a second

    3. Prajnanam brahman
    Brahman is the supreme knowledge

    4. Tat tvam asi
    That is what you are

    5. Ayam atma brahma
    Atman and brahman are the same

    6. Aham brahmasmi
    I am brahman

    7. Sarvam khalvidam brahma
    All of this is brahman
     

Share This Page