Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 2.5 · Janaka speaks
As cloth when analysed is found to be nothing but thread, even so this universe, duly considered, is nothing but the Self.
Word by word
तन्तुमात्रः
tantumātraḥ
nothing but thread
compound noun, masculine, nominative singular
भवेत्
bhavet
would be, is found to be
verb, optative, 3rd person singular
एव
eva
indeed
indeclinable particle
पटः
paṭaḥ
cloth
noun, masculine, nominative singular
यद्वत्
yadvat
just as
indeclinable
विचारितः
vicāritaḥ
analysed, inquired into
past passive participle, masculine, nominative singular
Vicāra = discriminative inquiry; the Advaita method of analysis by which the world is reduced to the Self.
आत्मतन्मात्रम्
ātmatanmātram
nothing but the Self
compound, neuter, nominative singular
The universe has no independent existence; its only reality is the Ātman on which name and form are superimposed.
एव
eva
indeed
indeclinable particle
इदम्
idam
this
pronoun, neuter, nominative singular
तद्वत्
tadvat
in that same way
indeclinable
विश्वम्
viśvam
the universe
noun, neuter, nominative singular
विचारितम्
vicāritam
when analysed
past passive participle, neuter, nominative singular