Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Ch.2.5.1-10 Lecture 74 on 04 October 2026 Q&A
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Discussion on Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma and the Real Nature of Realisation
Question: Is Aham Brahmasmi the First Realisation, or Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma?
Participant: Maharaj, in this Madhu Brahmana, Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma is being mentioned as a methodology to realise Brahman. But we have seen in the previous Upanishads that the first realisation that an aspirant gets is Aham Brahmasmi. That's the first one. And then only comes Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma.
The Mahavakya Is a Teaching, Not Yet a Realisation
Response (Maharaj): Okay, the first doesn't come – no, no, no. Just listen. First sentence: Sarvam – Aham Brahmasmi is only the Guruvakya, Shastravakya – it is the teaching of the scripture. It is not our realisation. Through faith, we accept it: Aham Brahmasmi. But I have to understand it for the sake of understanding.
The Shikshavalli Prescription: Matrudevo Bhava
Response: What does the Shikshavalli prescribe for us? First, start with one person. Matrudevo Bhava. Deva means Brahman. Pitrudevo Bhava. Let your father be Brahman. That means you consider your mother, your father, your teacher, and thereafterwards whatever you encounter – that is called atithi. Atithi means not guest only. Atithi means anybody, anything that we see – that is Brahman.
So gradually, until the realisation comes by hearing it from the teacher, usually that realisation will not come. That is why first shravana, then manana, then nididhyasana.
Aham Brahmasmi Is Not a Feeling
Response: So don't mistake by saying Aham Brahmasmi – do you feel that you are Brahman? No. That means you are mistaken. That means you are saying, "I am not Brahman." "I am Bhraman." Yes, absolutely. "I am Bhraman." Yes. That's what is important. Okay.
Participant: Yeah, sure.
Response: That is how Yajnavalkya starts: Atmava arey drashtavyah. He did not stop there. He said first hear about this – Srotavyah. Think deeply to resolve the contradictory experiences. My teacher says everything is Brahman. What I see, experience, is nothing but Brahman. What is the reconciliation? So Mantavyah – the teacher must be right. Do you know why he is right?
Participant: Because he always talks truth.
Response: No, it is another matter. We don't care who talks about the truth about Brahman. We want to see whether this person is happy.
Participant: Sure.
Attraction to Happiness, Not to Words
Response: What is the first thing you are attracted to? If this fellow goes on repeating Aham Brahmasmi, how boring it will be? He would be the greatest bore in the world. What if he is so happy, he cannot contain his joy – and you say, "I don't care whether he says you are Brahman or Bhrama, whatever – he is a happy person." And therefore, what do I want?
Participant: Happiness.
Response: We will see about Brahman and other things later on. First, I want to be happy.
You see now, that is how in the presence of Sri Ramakrishna, could anybody put on a castor oil face?
Participant: No.
Response: In the presence of Holy Mother, in the presence of Swamiji – no. That is the truth.
The Inquiry Into How a Saint Is Always Happy
Response: So that immeasurable experience of happiness is what we want. Then we inquire: how is this person always happy? What did he do? What experiments did he do? Then only comes: "I have to do this. I did this, I did that." And every saint tells what they did. And that is how we get inspiration.
After all, we want happiness. I'm telling you a great truth. Nobody cares for realisation. Tell me how I can be happy all the time – all the time. I don't care whether I die or not.
Participant: Yeah.
What Is Death for One Who Is Extremely Happy?
Response: What is death for a person who is extremely happy? He is happy to live. He is more happy even to die. So don't bring all these things: "He is immortal, and after that he travels from place to place." We don't care.
All that we want is bliss, bliss, and bliss. This is the truth. Okay.
The Final Truth: Uninterrupted Happiness Without Payment
Response: And you have to know one final truth. In this world, we want happiness, and we have to pay through our nose for any happiness, isn't it?
Participant: Yes.
Response: What we are looking for is complete, uninterrupted happiness without any payment.
Participant: Yes.
Response: That is called realisation of Brahman.
Participant: Yes, Thank you Maharaj.