Selected verses from Atma Bodha

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Atmabodha by Adi Shankara

Verses on the Self

Translated by Swami Nikhilananda

 

The body and so on, created by avidya (ignorance) and of the nature of

an object, are perishable, like bubbles. Realize through discrimination

that you are the stainless Brahman, completely from them. - 30

 

I am verily the Supreme Brahman, which is eternal, stainless, and free;

which is One, indivisible and non-dual; and which is of the nature of

Bliss, Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity. - 36

 

Brahman appears to be a Jiva through ignorance, as the stump of a tree

appears to be a man. This Jiva- hood is destroyed when the real nature

of the Jiva is realized. - 45

 

The tangible universe is verily Atman; nothing whatsoever exists that is

other than Atman. As pots and jars are verily clay and cannot be

anything but clay, so to the enlightened, all that is perceived is the

Self. - 48