Question and answer 22

Disciple: The jīva is separate from Brahman. Will not the knowledge 'I am Brahman' that arises in it also be false?

Guru: The immutable one that shines in the word 'aham' is always one with Brahman, as pot-space is one with the great space; so between it and Brahman there is co-reference in the primary sense. For the jīva that shines in the word 'aham', oneness is established by cancelling jīva-hood, as when the 'man' is cancelled and the oneness 'the man is a post' is established; so between the jīva and Brahman there is co-reference by cancellation.

Disciple: The knowledge 'I am Brahman' arising in the jīva, separate from Brahman, will it not also be false?

Guru: For the immutable one shining in the word 'aham', since there is always oneness, as for pot-space and great space, there is primary co-reference with Brahman. For the jīva shining in the word 'aham', as by cancelling the man oneness is established as 'the man is the post', since by cancelling jīva-hood oneness with Brahman is established, there is co-reference by cancellation.