The three basic texts in VedaAnta studies are the Brahma-sootras, Upanishads and

Bhagavadgeetaa, called Prasthaana Trayi.

Tattva Bodha by Adisankaraachaarya is a basic text called Praakarana Grantha whi
ch gives definitions to various Vedic terms which are essential to know before s
tudying various scriptures like Upanishads, Vedas and Bhagavadgeetaa. Tattva Bod
ha is written in a simple question and answer style
**other Praakarana Granthas are atma bodha..vivekachudamani
Mahavakya tatvamasi -- realize their essential identity between jhiva and isvara
ishwara is Truth with conditioning (vidya) maya
Jhiva is truth when weilding with individual conditioning
In tatvabodha we study the following
9: sadana chatustaya
10: Sarira Trayam
11: Avastha Trayam (3 stages of avasthas and pancha kosas)
12: Atma
13: creation
14: Jiva Ishavar ikya
15; Law of karma
16: overview of tatvabodha
Chapter 12: ATMA
Fundamental Law 1
I am different from whatever I experience.
Fundamental Law 2
I the experiencer am free from the attributes of the experienced objects.
Therefore I am the following
- Chaitanya Svarpaha Consciousness itself
- Svatantraha Independent
- Nirgunaha Non-material
- Nityaha Ever-existent
- Sarvagataha Boundless
- Ekaha One
tm Asmi I am Atma
Chapter 13: Creation
Sharra Trayam or Avasth Trayam are all associated with the individual or microcosm
. In Sanskrit we use the word Vyashti.
we are entering Samashti or macrocosm. The topic is Srishtihi or creation or cos
mology.
pancha bhoota * trigunas =
organ of knowledge (gyana shakti) eyes, nose, ears, tongue and skin (satva guna
of pancha bhootas) + mind
organ of action (kriya shakti) vak, pani, pada, payuhu, upastha (rajo guna of pa
ncha bhootas) + pranam
Organ of korika (iccha shakti) earth, water, fire, air and akasham (tamo guna) s
toola sariram

Chapter 14: Jiva Isvara Aikya

Thus one gets knowledge through Shravanam,
Mananam and Nididhysanam.