 Mahāvākyas like “I am Brahman” (BṛU 1.4.10: ahaṃ brahmāsmi) or “You are that” (ChU 6.8.7: tat tvam asi) are identity statements that form an equation consisting of two or more co-referential terms in grammatical apposition. The equation’s lack of logical congruence—identifying the limited individual (aham) with nondual brahman, or you (tvam) with that (tat) universe for example—contradict syntactical expectancy. This prods the reader to use the anvaya and vyatireka method to resolve the equation. In the case of “You are that”, tvam negates the mediacy of tat as existence external to one’s Self. And tat negates any subjective limitations to the consciousness referred to in tvam. The apposition thus restricts what does not persist between the two terms to reveal what is continuous and numerically identical—namely pure consciousness and undifferentiated existence. The identity statement reveals that you (tvam), the pure consciousness which is the underlying existence of the individual, is that (tat) pure existence which is the metaphysical ground of all objects. Existence and consciousness are one, not two. There is no distinction between the am-ness of one’s self and the is-ness of objects. (See ChUBh ch.6 and US ch.18 for Śaṅkara’s interpretation of “You are that”).