Question

The Chāndogya Upaniṣad gives the mahāvākya – Tat tvam asi (Ch. Upa. 6:8:7), ‘That you are.’ In this ‘great statement’ what does “tat” (“that”) stand for?

• A. Ᾱtman (The Absolute Self)
• B. Īśvara (God)
• C. Jīva (Individual self)
• D. Īśvara (God) and Jīva (Individual self)

Hint:

In Vedanta, “tat” in “Tat tvam asi” refers to Brahman or the Absolute Self (Ᾱtman). The phrase expresses the non-duality of self and ultimate reality.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understand the context of the Mahāvākya. 
The phrase “Tat tvam asi” is a central Upanishadic teaching that conveys the identity of the individual self with the absolute. 
Step 2: Interpret “tat”. 
In this phrase:
“tat” refers to the ultimate reality, Brahman or Ᾱtman (the universal Self),
“tvam” refers to the individual self.
So, the statement implies: the individual (tvam) is identical to the universal Self (tat).