There are four ‘mahaavakyas’ or ‘profound statements’ in the Vedaas, each occurring in a

different Upanishad, each connected to one of the four Vedaas. They are:

Sanskrit Transliteration Occurrence

Pragnyaanam brahman contained in the aitreya
upanishad of Rig Veda

Tat tvam asi from thechandogya upanishad of

saama veda

Aham Brahmaasmi occurs in brihadaaraNyaka

upanishad of yajur veda

Ayam aatma Brahman from the maanDukya upanishad

of atharva veda

The reason that these are termed ‘profound’ is because even though each is only two or three
words, one would need many more words to explain what they are conveying.

Pragnyaanam Brahman
Meaning: Consciousness is Brahman
This ‘vaakya’ is called the ‘statement of definition’ or ‘svaroopa bodha vaakya’, because it
provides a definition of Brahman, based upon which the seeker can start.
It defines Brahman as that which is perceived by any aspect of consciousness. Considering that
Brahman is that which is Absolute, fills all space, is complete in itself, and which is continuously
present in everything, from the creator down to the smallest particles of matter, the definition is
very apt. Anything that one can be conscious of is nothing but a manifestation of Brahman.

Tat tvam asi

Meaning: THAT thou art (you are THAT)
This ‘vaakya’ is the ‘statement of instruction’ or ‘upadesha vaakya’, uttered by the guru to the
disciple. The guru is asserting: “THAT which you are seeking (Brahman), you are THAT’.
Aham Brahmaasmi
Meaning: I am Brahman
This ‘vaakya’ is the statement of contemplation’, the ‘anusandhaana vaakya’. The seeker fixes
her/his mind on this thought and enters into contemplative meditation. As the mind wanders, it is
to be brought back to the contemplation of Aham Brahmaasmi.
Ayam aatma Brahman
Meaning: This Self is Brahman
This ‘vaakya’ is the ‘statement of experience’ or the ‘anubhava bodha vaakya’. The seeker, thru
introspection and contemplation, has experienced one-ness with Brahman. She/he asserts through
personal experience: ‘This Self is Brahman’

Partha
Collected from various documents, and re-interpreted