[Advaita-l] 'Aham Brahmasmi' in Agni Purana

V Subrahmanian v.subrahmanian at gmail.com
Mon Jun 17 02:52:12 EDT 2024


'Aham Brahmasmi' in Agni Purana
अग्निपुराणम्/अध्यायः १४
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This chapter contains a brief overview of the Mahabharata. Arjuna complains
about the unpleasant idea of killing Bhishma, etc. in the battle, Krishna
gives him a spiritual teaching. Then he says: Though the body perishes, the
Atman is eternal. He teaches one to know that Atman as 'Ayamatma Brahma,
Ahambrahmasmi'.
Both are Mahavakyas of Vedanta:
'Aham Brahmasmi' (Brihadaranyaka. Upanishad. 1 . 4 . 10) (I am Brahman, the
Atman separated from the body) 'Ayamatma Brahma' (Br. U. 2 . 5 .
19/Mandukya Upanishad) (This Atman is Brahman).
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्‌ग्रामवर्णनम् ।
अग्निरुवाच
यौधिष्ठिरी दौर्योधनी कुरुक्षेत्रं ययौ चमूः।
भीष्मद्रोणादिकान् हृष्ट्वा नायुध्यत गुरुनिति ।। १ ।।
पार्थं ह्युवाच भगवान्नशोच्या भीष्ममुख्यकाः।
शरीराणि विनाशीनि न शरीरी विनश्यति ।। २ ।।
*अयमात्मा परं ब्रह्म अहंब्रह्मास्मि विद्धि तम् ।*
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो योगी राजधर्म्मं प्रपालय ।। ३ ।।
In this way, Lord Krishna tells the true nature of Jivatma through the
Mahavakya.
In the Bhagavad Gita also this message is stated.
अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ।
विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति ॥ १७ ॥ 2.17
This Atman is indestructible, this whole creation is pervaded by this Atman.
अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च ।
नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातनः ॥ २४ ॥ 2.24
This Atman cannot be destroyed by the five elements. Know that it is
eternal, all-pervading, firm, immovable.
Atman is said to be omnipresent in the context of Vedanta Mahavakya. It is
well known that Brahman is omnipresent. But here Krishna teaches Jeevatma
as omnipresent.
Om


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