Episode 237, The Eternal Teaching of “Tat Tvam Asi” – Awakening the Soul through Supreme Peace (Paramshanti)

New Year Greetings and the Spirit of Vikram Samvat

The calendar year we currently follow (2020) was introduced during colonial times, but Vikram Samvat is far older, established by King Vikramaditya. Thus, heartfelt New Year greetings are extended to all noble souls, with wishes that this year be beautiful, powerful, elevated, and filled with soul-consciousness.

Diwali is the festival of joy and illumination. When Diwali approaches, the entire atmosphere transforms—happiness flows everywhere. Yet often, once Diwali passes, life returns to the same old patterns. But true Diwali is not external. Firecrackers give light for a few seconds. Inner light, once awakened, makes every moment Diwali. Diwali is not merely a festival of lamps; it is a festival of awakening the soul’s inner light. When the inner flame is experienced repeatedly, life itself becomes a celebration.

The Story of Shvetकेतु and Sage Uddalaka (Chandogya Upanishad)

To understand this inner truth, let us reflect on a profound story from the Chandogya Upanishad. Shvetketu, the son of Sage Uddalaka Aruni, returned home after completing his education at the Gurukul. One day, his father asked whether he wished to continue studies or marry. Shvetketu replied arrogantly, “First let me conquer King Janaka’s court.” Hearing this, Sage Uddalaka realized that his son had learned scriptures only verbally, not experientially. True knowledge is not for defeating others. It is for self-realization.

Knowledge Without Experience Is a Burden

Sage Uddalaka explained that memorizing words without inner realization is merely carrying the burden of learning. Across religions and traditions, this mistake is common—teaching others without personal realization. True wisdom arises when knowledge is experienced, not merely repeated.

The Teaching of the One Essence

Sage Uddalaka took Shvetketu outside and lifted some soil. “If you know clay,” he said, “you know all clay pots. If you know gold, you know all gold ornaments.” Then he asked: “What is that one truth, knowing which everything becomes known?” Shvetketu admitted he did not know. The sage replied: Existence. Consciousness. Reality. From this pure consciousness, the entire universe arises.

Tat Tvam Asi – You Are That

This supreme teaching is expressed in the Mahavakya:

Tat Tvam Asi – You are That.

It declares that:

• The seeker and the sought are one

• The soul and the supreme reality are not separate

• What you search for is what you already are

This teaching dissolves the illusion of separation.

The Honey and the River Analogy

Sage Uddalaka showed Shvetketu bees collecting nectar from many flowers. Once the honey is formed, it cannot say, “I came from this flower or that one.”

Similarly:

• When rivers merge into the ocean, their individual names disappear.

• When a soul merges into pure consciousness, individuality dissolves.

The body has many names, many lives. The soul has no name, yet mistakenly identifies with the body.

The Banyan Seed: Infinite Power in the Invisible

The sage asked Shvetketu to bring a banyan fruit. Inside were tiny seeds. Breaking one open, nothing was visible. Yet from this invisible essence grows a massive banyan tree.

Likewise:

• From invisible pure consciousness arises the vast universe.

• From a subtle soul-seed emerges infinite potential.

The seed is already the tree, just not yet manifested.

The Power of Thought and Collective Transformation

Every soul is a seed. Every thought is a seed. When souls believe: “What difference can my thought make?” Transformation does not happen. Just like villagers who poured water instead of milk into a shared pond—thinking others would contribute—collective responsibility was lost. But when awakened souls generate Paramshanti (supreme peace) thoughts, they plant seeds of global transformation.

A few awakened souls can shift the destiny of the world.

Salt in Water: Consciousness Everywhere

Sage Uddalaka dissolved salt in water and asked Shvetketu to taste it from different places. Everywhere, the taste was the same.

Likewise:

• Consciousness is invisible, yet present everywhere

• The same divine power exists in all beings

The universe, galaxies, and multiverses arise from the same source from which we are made.

You Are Not Ordinary

This teaching does not say: “You are an animal” “You are trapped in endless lower births” Instead, it declares: You are a supreme creation, a powerful soul. You are not weak. You are not helpless. You are a being of light, consciousness, and transformation.

Meditation: Returning to the Original Self

The discourse concludes with a deep meditation, guiding souls to:

• Silence the mind

• Stabilize the intellect

• Release karmic burdens

• Enter the state of Paramshanti

Souls visualize themselves as pure white light, connected to the supreme source, receiving infinite divine energy, dissolving negativity, and radiating peace into the world. Thoughts created the world. Thoughts will transform the world.