Avadhuta - Chapter 1 verse 25

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(translator - Swami Chetanananda)

 

The Atman, the true nature of being, has been established by the great Vedic

dictums, such as " Thou art That " and " I am Brahman. " The body, consisting of

five elements, is unreal - this has been declared by the Upanishads, saying,

" Not this, not this. "

 

(comments)

 

Vedic dictums - they are four in number:

 

1. " Consciousness (manifest in an individual) is Brahman, " as stated in the

Aitareya Upanishad (3.1.3) of the Rig Veda

 

2. " I am Brahman, " as stated in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.10) of the

Yajur Veda.

 

3. " Thou art That " , as stated in the Chhandogya Upanishad (6.8.7) of the

Sama Veda.

 

4. " This Atman is Brahman, " as stated in the Mandukya Upanishad (2) of the

Atharva Veda.

 

Not this, not this - It is a process of elimination, or negation, since the

atman cannot be described in a positive way. " This Self is that which has

been described as 'not this, not this.' It is imperceptible, for It is never

perceived; undecaying, for It never decays; unattached, for It is never

attached; unfettered - It never feels pain and never suffers injury, "

(Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, (4.5.15)

 

Five elements - see verse 3