Upadeśasāhasrī

According to Mayeda, "Manuscripts indicate that the two parts were regarded as independent works, as it were, and studied or commented upon separately.

They also suggest the possibility that any single chapter could be selected, copied, and studied apart from the rest.

The metrical part "discusses and repeatedly explains many basic problems of Advaita or "non-dualism" from different points of view" in a non-systematical way.

[8] Chapter I.1 starts with the exclamation Salutation to the all-knowing Pure Consciousness [chaitanya] which pervades all, is all, abides in the hearts of all beings, and is beyond all objects [of knowledge].

Since action is related to ignorance, "associated with a misconception of Atman as "I am agent; this is mine," only knowledge of Brahman will lead to liberation.

"[25] The prose part intends to explain "how to teach the means of final release" to seekers.

[27]Knowledge of Brahman is to obtained by a worthy pupil from an accomplished teacher,[quote 1] who should train the students in archiving the virtues necessary for proper understanding.

[28][quote 2] The teacher teaches the srutis concerned with the oneness of Atman with Brahman, referring to a large number of sruti-statements.

[29] The teacher then continues by reinforcing disidentification from societal status and the body,[30] The teacher then shows how the sruti and smriti describe the "marks of Atman,"[31] explaining how the Atman is different from body, caste, family, and purifying ceremonies.

One, who is eager to realize this right knowledge spoken of in the Sruti, should rise above the desire for a son, for wealth, for this world and the next, which are described in a five-fold[note 2] manner, and are the outcome of a false reference to the Self of Varna (castes, colors, classes) and orders of life.