Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi - Understanding "I Am Brahman"
The Vedic aphorism ahaṁ brahmāsmi is the foundational realization of spiritual life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it means "I am spirit," or "I am Brahman." This understanding liberates the living entity from the misconception of identifying with the material body and establishes one on the platform of reality. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda also teaches that this is merely the first step; true perfection lies in engaging this realized self in the service of the Supreme Brahman.
I Am Not This Body
The primary function of the mantra ahaṁ brahmāsmi is to negate the bodily conception of life. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that as long as one identifies with their nationality, race, or physical form, they are in ignorance. Real education begins when one understands that they are a spirit soul, distinct from the temporary material covering.
- Aham brahmasmi: "I am not this, American, Indian, or this and that. I am brahma-vastu. I am part and parcel of God. God is Para-brahman, and I am also part and parcel. Therefore I am also Brahman." The part and parcel of gold is gold.
- When one is self-realized, aham brahmasmi... "I am not this body. I am not Christian, I am not Hindu, I am not black, I am not white, I am not fat, I am not thin. I am Brahman." Brahmasmi. That is called Brahman.
- It is not very difficult to understand what is enlightenment. Enlightened means aham brahmasmi. I do not belong to this material world. I belong to the Supreme Spirit. That conviction makes you enlightened.
The Brahma-bhūta Stage
Realizing ahaṁ brahmāsmi brings one to the brahma-bhūta platform, the stage of liberation from material anxiety. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the symptoms of such a person: they are joyful, free from hankering and lamentation, and see all living beings with equal vision. This state is the prerequisite for pure devotional service.
- As soon as we are perfectly situated in that spiritual knowledge, aham brahmasmi, then brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati (BG 18.54). There is no lamentation.
- When one is a siddha, one understands himself - that is, one understands, aham brahmasmi: "I am not this body." This is Brahman realization, the brahma-bhuta (SB 4.30.20) platform. When one attains this stage, he becomes very happy.
- Veda says that aham brahmasmi: "I am brahma. I am not this body. I am spirit soul." And when one understands that he is spirit soul, at once he becomes joyful. That is the sign of brahma-jnana.
Beyond Impersonalism
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that ahaṁ brahmāsmi does not mean "I am God." He criticizes the Māyāvādī interpretation that claims identity with the Supreme Lord. Instead, he explains that just as a drop of ocean water is qualitatively the same as the ocean but quantitatively different, the living entity is Brahman (spirit) but not Para-brahman (the Supreme Spirit).
- Here the statement of self-realization aham brahmasmi, which is interpreted by the Mayavada philosophy to mean "I am the Supreme Lord," is explained. The Supreme Lord is the original seed of everything.
- There is a class of men akin to Mayavadi philosophers who misinterpret the aham brahmasmi and so'ham Vedic mantras to mean, "I am the Supreme Brahman" and "I am identical with the Lord."
- We are part and parcel of the Supreme Brahma, aham brahmasmi. This is the philosophy that, "I am not this matter; I am Brahman." This knowledge required. This knowledge, this brahma-jnana knowledge, is being imparted in the beginning of the Bhagavad-gita.
The Necessity of Engagement
Mere realization of one's spiritual identity is not enough. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that without positive spiritual activity, the soul will fall back into material engagement. He emphasizes that the Brahman must have duties; otherwise, the active nature of the soul will force it to seek satisfaction in the material world again.
- We are not only satisfied that "I am spirit," aham brahmasmi. No. There must be duties of the Brahman. The Brahman must be engaged. Otherwise... Because we want some work, because we are active... We are not just like stones.
- Simply to understand that one is not matter but spirit soul (aham brahmasmi: "I am by nature Brahman") is not sufficient knowledge for understanding the self and his activities.
- So-called sannyasis, they rise to the brahma-pada, aham brahmasmi, but because they cannot stay there, they come down again to this material world and they are busy for opening hospitals, schools, and philanthropism.
Conclusion
The realization of ahaṁ brahmāsmi is the gateway to spiritual life, but it is not the destination. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that after understanding "I am spirit," one must ask, "What is the duty of the spirit?" By engaging in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, the liberated soul finds full satisfaction and safety from the dangers of material existence.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.