This article deals with the concept of ‘Tatwamasi’ in the Chandogyopanishad of the Sama Veda. This principle is stated in the sixth chapter.
Tat = that or it
Twam = you
Asi = state of being
Tatwamasi means ‘that is you’.
Maharishi Aruni had a son namely Swethaketu. When his son had become old enough to undergo the upanayana ceremony, Aruni called him and said, “Swethaketu! You are growing older than the age at which the upanayana ceremony has to be performed. Join in a gurukula, get the upanayana done, serve the guru as a disciple, follow brahmacharya, and learn the Vedas. All the males in our lineage have learnt the Vedas, in this manner.”
Swethaketu followed the instructions of his father, joined a gurukula and learned the Vedas and the Vedangas thoroughly. Afterwards, he returned home as a Veda-scholar. He had developed pride, on account of his knowledge of the Vedas. He thought that he was a great person and that he was competent to give discourses to the people. He behaved disrespectfully towards his family members.
Aruni asked him, whether he had completed his education, acquired the real knowledge, which alone was responsible for the creation and the sciences, in their entirety.
Swethakethu replied that it was impossible to learn the true knowledge, as there was no such thing. This prompted Aruni to quote some examples to his son. He addressed him and said, “If you know the fundamental structure of mud, you will understand how to prepare pots and other decorative things with mud. If you know about the properties of gold, you can create ornaments of gold. If you understand the structure of iron, you will know about the properties of things made of iron. Similarly, there is one fundamental science which is the basis for creation and the other sciences. Have you learnt it?”
Swethaketu realised his folly, and his arrogance slowly dissipated. He politely replied to his father that “Father! My teacher did not teach me about this. I do not know anything about it. As such, I request you to teach me about it.”Swethakethu was apprehensive of being sent back to the gurukula. He was also sceptical about the knowledge of his teachers, in this context. Aruni understood his son and insisted that he should acquire that knowledge. Swethaketu made a firm resolve to learn about it and his father taught him the true science. Aruni proved to Swethakethu that the brahmatatwa was ubiquitous and that had it created the entire universe.
This brahmatatwa is indicated by the term‘Tat’. ‘Twam’denotes you and it indicates the emergence of creatures on earth. ‘Tat’ indicates the existence of everything. ‘Sat’ means Lord Parabrahma. Twam means that ‘you are Parabrahma’. This is the truth, and this sentence is known as the Mahavakyam. It teaches the brahmatatwa. No other scripture or literature contains such a great declaration.