A little child may be taught that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, even though in reality it is the earth that is the one revolving around the sun. However, in order to help the child understand, it is easier to first introduce the topic in this manner.

Likewise, according to advaita vedānta, only one exists. Yet, to reach a stage where one is firmly convinced of this Truth of oneness, one must first go through a phase of understanding that there are two – the jivātman and the paramātman. The kaṭhopaṇisad brings us step-by-step through this process whilst leaving it entirely open to one’s own discrimination.