Tat Tvam Asi:

You Are That ...

Happy Sunday! I’m posting this from the Vande Bharat train using my mobile—sharing has never been easier.

Today’s reflection: Tat Tvam Asi – You Are That.

You are that sharing, you are that inspiration, you are that presence in the world.

Introduction

Among the great Mahavakyas of the Upanishads, "Tat Tvam Asi" (तत्त्वमसि), found in the Chandogya Upanishad, is one of the most profound. It is often translated as "You are That," pointing to the essential unity of the individual soul (Jiva) with the ultimate reality (Brahman).

While Advaita Vedanta takes this phrase to mean complete non-difference between Jiva and Brahman, Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, as propounded by Ramanujacharya, offers a nuanced interpretation: The Jiva is not absolutely identical to Brahman but is inseparable from Him, existing as His attribute or part (amsha). This perspective maintains both the divinity and individuality of the soul while affirming its eternal dependence on the Supreme.

Bhagavad Gita and Tat Tvam Asi

The Bhagavad Gita echoes this relationship in Chapter 15, Verse 7:

"ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः। मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति।।"

"Mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah, manah-shashthanindriyani prakriti-sthani karshati."

Listen (recorded on the moving train)

("The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they struggle very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.")

Here, Krishna declares that every Jiva is an eternal part (amsha) of Him, reinforcing the idea that while the Jiva is divine in essence, it is not independent but always connected to and dependent on the Supreme Being.

Hanuman’s Realization: A Beautiful Illustration

An episode in the Ramayana captures this concept beautifully. When asked about his identity, Hanuman gives a threefold response:

1. Deha-buddhya tava dāsoham – ("From the perspective of the body, I am Your servant.")

2. Jiva-buddhya tvad amshakah – ("From the perspective of the soul, I am a part of You.")

3. Atma-buddhya tvam eva’ham – ("From the highest realization, I am one with You.")

This perfectly aligns with the Vishishtadvaita understanding of Tat Tvam Asi. Hanuman acknowledges his individual self while also affirming his eternal inseparability from the Divine.

Living Tat Tvam Asi in Daily Life

Rather than seeing this Mahavakya as a theoretical statement, we can internalize it through Bhakti and Seva:

• Recognizing our divine connection: Every being is a part of Brahman, and our purpose is to serve with love and devotion.

• Surrendering to the Supreme: True realization comes not from intellectual understanding but from living a life of devotion, much like Hanuman.

• Balancing identity and surrender: We retain our individuality while being deeply connected to the whole, just as a wave is part of the ocean.

Conclusion

The essence of Tat Tvam Asi in Vishishtadvaita is not absolute identity, but inseparable connection. The Jiva is divine yet distinct, always part of the infinite Brahman, just as a spark belongs to the fire but is not the entire fire. Through Bhakti, Seva, and surrender, we live this truth, realizing our eternal bond with the Supreme Being.

Like Hanuman, may we recognize our body as a servant, our soul as a part, and our ultimate reality as deeply intertwined with the Divine.