Universal
Tat Tvam Asi — a mahavakya
तत्त्वमसि
Simple reading
Tat tvam a-si
Tat tvam asi
About this mantra
One of the four mahavakyas, the great declarations of the Upanishads: the teacher Uddalaka's words to his son Shvetaketu.
Meaning
You are That. In the Chandogya, Uddalaka says it nine times to his son, each time after a different demonstration, such as salt vanished in water or rivers lost in the sea. The sentence is recognition rather than information, and recognition needs repeating. Tat is the vast unnamed; tvam is the listener; asi welds them. Nothing in the tradition says more with less.
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.
तत्त्वमसि
Tat tvam asi
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
For contemplation rather than counting; sat with during meditation retreats, Upanishad study, and the quiet after loss, when identity asks its questions.
Word by word
- तत्tat
- That: the absolute
- त्वम्tvam
- you
- असिasi
- are
Source: Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.8.7