Universal
Aham Brahmasmi — a mahavakya
अहं ब्रह्मास्मि
Simple reading
A-ham brah-maas-mi
Ahaṁ brahmāsmi
About this mantra
The mahavakya of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: the inward recognition that the self is not separate from the absolute.
Meaning
I am Brahman. The Brihadaranyaka places the sentence at the beginning of things. It is what reality said upon knowing itself, and the seeker's repetition is an echo, not a boast. The claim is carefully aimed at the I beneath this mind, this name and this story: awareness itself. Said rightly, it is the most humbling sentence there is. Whatever is personal is exactly what it is not about.
Learn it by heart
Say the first line until it comes without reading, then add the next line and say both, until the whole mantra comes on its own.
Whole mantra
This mantra is a single line. Learn it whole, then add it to your review deck so it comes back for a check.
अहं ब्रह्मास्मि
Ahaṁ brahmāsmi
0not said yet
Aim for eleven. Stop reading as soon as the whole mantra comes on its own.
Progress stays on this device.
When to recite it
Contemplated in mature practice, traditionally after study with a teacher; sat with at dawn, on retreat, and in the ripeness of a long sadhana.
Word by word
- अहंahaṁ
- I
- ब्रह्मbrahma
- the absolute
- अस्मिasmi
- am
Source: Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.4.10