Tattva Bodha

The Tattva Bodha (Knowledge of Reality) is a short introductory text of Advaita Vedānta, attributed to Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, presenting the basic philosophical concepts in a question-and-answer format.

Overview

The text is a glossary-like exposition that defines key Advaita concepts through a series of questions and answers. It covers the nature of the Self, the three states of consciousness, the five sheaths, and the path to liberation. It is one of the most basic introductory texts of Vedānta.

Content and Structure

The Tattva Bodha defines the fundamental categories of Advaita philosophy: the Self (ātman), the five sheaths (pañca-kośa), the three states (waking, dreaming, deep sleep), the three bodies (gross, subtle, causal), and the four stages of spiritual practice. Each concept is defined through a brief question-and-answer format, making it accessible to beginners.

Significance

The text is significant as an introductory manual for Advaita Vedānta, commonly used in traditional Vedānta schools as the first text students encounter. Its clear definitions and systematic presentation have made it a standard reference for understanding basic Advaita concepts.

Verification Notes

• Attributed to Ādi Śaṅkarācārya; the attribution is generally accepted.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).