Aitareya Upanishad

Aitareya Upanishad

The Aitareya Upaniṣad, belonging to the Rigveda, is a concise but profound text that explores the mystery of creation, consciousness, and the Self (Ātman). It teaches that in the beginning, only the Self existed, which desired to manifest the worlds, deities, and living beings, finally entering the human form as consciousness—the defining essence of humanity. Its central message is that Ātman alone is the source, sustainer, and end of all existence, captured in the declaration “Prajnānam Brahma” (Consciousness is Brahman), one of the great mahāvākyas of Vedānta. Emphasizing that realization of the Self leads to liberation, it presents human birth as the highest privilege, for only as humans can beings attain knowledge of their true nature and unity with Brahman.