This profound statement asserts the ultimate unity between the individual soul (Atman) and the universal spirit (Brahman). It teaches that your true self is not separate from the divine, encouraging a deep realization of interconnectedness and spiritual oneness within yourself.
Quote by Chandogya Upanishad: “That art thou.”
That art thou.
Insight
Historical Context
This is a Mahavakya (Great Saying) from the Upanishads, central to Vedanta philosophy, imparted by the sage Uddalaka Aruni to his son Svetaketu, during a period of intense philosophical inquiry in ancient India.
About the Author
One of the principal Upanishads of ancient Indian philosophy, believed to have been composed between 800 and 600 BCE during the Vedic period. It contains some of the most important early formulations of Vedantic philosophy, including the mahavakya (great sayings) that became central to Advaita thought. The text is embedded in the Sama Veda tradition.
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