Ayam Atma Brahma (This Self is Brahman) — Word-by-Word Meaning
अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सर्वम्
sarvam
All, everything (the entire universe)
हि
hi
Indeed, verily, for
एतत्
etat
This
ब्रह्म
brahma
Brahman, the supreme Reality
अयम्
ayam
This (the very Self within)
आत्मा
ātmā
The Self, the inner Atman
अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म
ayam ātmā brahma
'This Self is Brahman' — the great saying (mahavakya) identifying the inmost Self with the Absolute
सः अयम् आत्मा
saḥ ayam ātmā
This same Self
चतुष्पात्
catuṣpāt
Has four quarters/states (waking, dream, deep sleep, and Turiya the fourth)
ओमित्येतदक्षरम्
om ityetad akṣaram
Om, this syllable, is all this (the opening of the Upanishad, equating Om with Brahman and the Self)
Complete Translation
All this is verily Brahman. This Self is Brahman. This same Self has four quarters — the waking state, the dream state, deep sleep, and the fourth (Turiya), which is pure consciousness, the Self to be realized.
Origin & History
Source: Mandukya Upanishad, Verse 2
Author: Traditional (Upanishadic)
Period: Vedic / Upanishadic
The Mandukya Upanishad opens by declaring that the syllable Om is all this, the whole of past, present and future, and whatever lies beyond time. Its second verse affirms, 'All this is verily Brahman; this Self is Brahman,' and announces that this Self has four quarters. The Upanishad then describes the waking, dream and deep-sleep states and finally Turiya, the fourth — the silent, non-dual Self. So concentrated is its teaching that the tradition holds the study of the Mandukya alone, with the Karika of Gaudapada, sufficient to grant liberation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ayam Atma Brahma mean?▼
Ayam Atma Brahma means 'This Self is Brahman'. It teaches that the Atman, the very Self within you, is none other than Brahman, the supreme infinite Reality.
Where does Ayam Atma Brahma come from?▼
It is from the Mandukya Upanishad (verse 2), which belongs to the Atharva Veda. The Mandukya is the shortest Upanishad, with only twelve verses, yet it is considered a complete teaching on the Self and the syllable Om.
What are the four states mentioned in the Mandukya Upanishad?▼
The Self has four quarters: the waking state (experiencing the outer world), the dream state (the inner world of mind), deep sleep (undifferentiated bliss without objects), and Turiya, the fourth — pure non-dual consciousness, which is the real Self and Brahman.
How is Ayam Atma Brahma practised with Om?▼
The Mandukya correlates the sounds A, U, M of Om with the waking, dream and deep-sleep states, and the silence after Om with Turiya. Meditating on Om while contemplating 'This Self is Brahman' leads the seeker from the three states to the fourth, the liberating realization of the Self.
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