“One Self — Many Masks"-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
“One Self — Many Masks: The Mirror Teaching of Advaita” This teaching explains how the one pure Ātman (Self) appears as many through illusion, and how to realize the truth by removing mental and perceptual errors. 1️⃣ The Three Mistaken Identities When Consciousness reflects in different conditions, it looks like three selves: Name of the “Self” What it identifies with Problem Mithyātma Body Fear, disease, aging, death Gaunātma World, possessions, relations Desire, attachment Mukhya / Pratyagātma Pure Consciousness ✅ Real identity When thoughts arise → mithyātma appears When objects appear separate → gaunātma arises When both disappear → Only Mukhya Ātma remains — formless, changeless. 2️⃣ Like a Mirror and Reflection Śaṅkara uses the mirror analogy: The face = real Self The mirror reflection = world, body, mind The mirror = Śakti / Māyā / Knowledge Reflection looks separate only due to misunderstanding. There are not two selves — only one Self seen twice. Just like: Shadow cannot exis...