RS Qra. Mahavakyas

​tweet version

The “tweet” version of the Vedas is the set of statements known as mahā-vākyas - “the Great Sayings” found in the final books of the Vedas - the Upaṇiṣads.

These statements form the basis for all philosophical discourse among the various schools of Hinduism and have been debated and argued for 2000 years - giving rise to the different sects.

• sarvam khalv idam brahma — All this is Brahman (Muṇḍaka 2.2.11 & Chand. 3.14.1)
• ātmaivedam sarvam iti — all this is ātman (Chāṇḍogya 7.25.2)
• ayam ātma brahma — this ātman is the Brahman (Māṇḍukya 1:2)
• neha nānāsti kiñcana — There is nothing (other than Brahman) anywhere. (Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.4.19)
• ātmā vā idam eka evāgra āsīt | — at first, there was ātman alone (Aitareya Up. 1.1 & Bṛhad Up. 1.4.1)
• brahma vā idam agra āsīt — Brahman indeed was this in the beginning. (Brhad. 1.4.10)
• sad eva saumya idam agra āsīd ekam advitīyam.— Then, being (Sat) alone was there at the beginning and it was one without a second. (Chand. 6.2.1.)
• ātmani khalv are vijñāte idam sarvam viditam — once the ātman is known everything is known (Bṛhad Up. 4.5.6)
• aham brahmāsmi — I am Brahman (Brhad. 1.4.10)
• tat-tvam asi — You are THAT (Chānḍ. 6.11.3)
• prajñānam brahma — Brahman is consciousness (Aitareya 3.1.3)