Compare Shankarachaya and Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation of ‘Tat TvamAsi’

Q. Compare Shankarachaya and Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation of ‘Tat TvamAsi’

Shankaracharya and Sri Aurobindo, two towering figures in the history of Indian philosophy and spirituality, each provide their own profound interpretations of the famous Upanishadic declaration "Tat Tvam Asi" (That Thou Art). While both of these thinkers are deeply rooted in the tradition of Vedanta, their philosophical systems diverge in significant ways, offering distinct interpretations of this central concept. The phrase "Tat Tvam Asi," found in the Chandogya Upanishad, is often translated as "That Thou Art" or "You are That," indicating the essential identity between the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). To explore how Shankaracharya and Sri Aurobindo interpret this phrase, one must examine their respective understandings of reality, consciousness, and liberation.

Shankaracharya's Interpretation: Non-Dualism and Absolute Identity

Shankaracharya (Adi Shankaracharya), the 8th-century philosopher and theologian, is renowned for his system of Advaita Vedanta, or non-dualism. His interpretation of "Tat Tvam Asi" is grounded in the central idea of Advaita, which posits that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is a singular, formless, and infinite consciousness, and that the apparent multiplicity of the world is an illusion (Maya). According to Shankaracharya, the individual self (Atman) is ultimately not different from Brahman. This identity is realized through the direct experience of self-awareness, which transcends the dualistic separation between the individual and the universe.

In his commentary on the Chandogya Upanishad, Shankaracharya explains "Tat Tvam Asi" as a statement of the absolute identity between the individual soul (Atman) and the supreme reality (Brahman). He emphasizes that this identity is not conceptual or intellectual but is realized through the direct experience of the self. For Shankaracharya, the apparent differences between the self and the world are the result of ignorance (Avidya), which causes the soul to perceive the world through the lens of duality. The realization of "Tat Tvam Asi" involves overcoming this ignorance and recognizing that the Atman is not distinct from Brahman.

Shankaracharya's interpretation of this phrase hinges on his central tenet of non-duality. In his view, the distinction between the self (Atman) and Brahman is only apparent, not real. The true nature of the self is pure consciousness (Brahman), and when an individual realizes this identity, they attain liberation (Moksha), which is freedom from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). This liberation is not the result of any external action but is the realization of one’s own true nature as non-dual consciousness. Thus, "Tat Tvam Asi" is the ultimate realization of one's identity with the infinite, formless, and eternal Brahman.

Sri Aurobindo's Interpretation: Integral Unity and Evolutionary Consciousness

In contrast to Shankaracharya, Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950), a philosopher, yogi, and poet, offers a radically different interpretation of "Tat Tvam Asi." While deeply influenced by Vedanta, Aurobindo’s philosophy incorporates elements of modern science, evolution, and a more expansive view of spiritual realization. His system, known as Integral Yoga, suggests that the ultimate reality is not merely an abstract, static consciousness but is an evolving, dynamic force that manifests through the entire cosmos.

Sri Aurobindo views "Tat Tvam Asi" as an expression of the essential unity of the individual soul and the Divine, but with an important twist. Rather than seeing the individual soul as already identical with the Divine, Aurobindo proposes that the individual self (Atman) is in the process of becoming fully divine through an ongoing spiritual evolution. According to him, the phrase "Tat Tvam Asi" implies that the individual is inherently divine, but this divinity is not fully realized in the ordinary, limited human experience. The realization of "Tat Tvam Asi" is therefore an aspirational process of spiritual growth, involving the transformation of the entire being, including the body, mind, and spirit, into a higher state of divine consciousness.

For Aurobindo, the key to understanding "Tat Tvam Asi" lies in his concept of integral consciousness, which involves the integration of all aspects of the self with the Divine. Unlike Shankaracharya, who emphasizes the transcendence of the individual self to realize its unity with Brahman, Aurobindo argues that the Divine is not solely transcendent but is also immanent within the world and within the individual. He posits that the Divine is both the source of the universe and the force guiding its evolutionary progress. In this view, the human being is not simply a separate, individual soul to be merged with the Absolute; instead, the human being is a dynamic and evolving expression of the Divine, with the potential to realize and manifest divine consciousness in all aspects of life.

Aurobindo’s interpretation of "Tat Tvam Asi" also incorporates the idea of cosmic evolution. He suggests that human beings are on a path of spiritual evolution, which is guided by a divine force working within the individual and the collective. This process involves the gradual awakening of higher states of consciousness, culminating in a full realization of the divinity that is present within each individual. Unlike Shankaracharya, who emphasizes the illusory nature of the world (Maya) and the need for the individual to transcend it, Aurobindo sees the material world as an expression of the Divine that is undergoing a process of transformation. This transformation leads to the eventual divinization of the individual and the world as a whole.

For Sri Aurobindo, the realization of "Tat Tvam Asi" is not a sudden or absolute experience but a gradual process of spiritual evolution. The ultimate goal of this process is the realization of the divine in all aspects of existence, including the physical, mental, and spiritual realms. This is not merely a personal liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara), but the realization of a divine life on earth, where the individual and the collective manifest the highest form of divine consciousness. Aurobindo’s vision is, therefore, a far more expansive one than Shankaracharya’s, as it sees the entire cosmos as part of a divine evolutionary process.

Comparative Analysis

While both Shankaracharya and Sri Aurobindo agree on the essential unity of the individual and the Divine, their approaches to this realization diverge significantly. Shankaracharya’s interpretation is rooted in the non-dualist (Advaita) tradition, where the focus is on the ultimate, unchanging identity of Atman and Brahman. For Shankaracharya, the realization of "Tat Tvam Asi" is a direct, experiential realization of one’s true nature as Brahman, transcending the world of duality and illusion. This realization leads to liberation (Moksha), which is the freedom from the cycle of birth and death, and the individual soul merges with the absolute reality.

In contrast, Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation emphasizes the process of spiritual evolution and the immanence of the Divine in the world. He does not see the world as illusory or something to be transcended, but rather as a field in which the Divine is working to manifest itself through the process of evolution. For Aurobindo, "Tat Tvam Asi" points to the potential for the individual to realize their inherent divinity, but this realization is not an instantaneous or absolute merging with the Divine. Instead, it is a gradual unfolding of divine consciousness, where the individual not only realizes their identity with the Divine but also participates in the divine transformation of the world.

Shankaracharya’s path is one of renunciation and detachment from the world, emphasizing the transcendence of the individual self to attain unity with the absolute. In contrast, Aurobindo’s path is one of integral transformation, where the individual is called to manifest the Divine in all aspects of life, including the material world. This difference in approach reflects their broader philosophical systems: Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta stresses the primacy of the transcendent, unchanging reality, while Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga emphasizes the divine potential in both the transcendent and the immanent dimensions of existence.

Conclusion

In summary, Shankaracharya and Sri Aurobindo offer two distinct but complementary interpretations of the Upanishadic phrase "Tat Tvam Asi." Shankaracharya’s interpretation, rooted in Advaita Vedanta, emphasizes the non-dual identity between the individual self and the supreme reality, and the realization of this identity through the transcendence of ignorance and illusion. In contrast, Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation is more expansive, incorporating the idea of divine immanence and spiritual evolution, where the individual not only realizes their unity with the Divine but also participates in the divine transformation of the world. Both thinkers, while sharing a common Vedantic heritage, offer unique perspectives on the nature of the self, the Divine, and the path to spiritual realization, with Shankaracharya emphasizing liberation through transcendence, and Aurobindo focusing on the divine transformation of life itself.

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