Difference between revisions of "Parabrahma"
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| − | [[Para Brahma]](n)(Sanskrit:परब्रह्म) (IAST: [[para-brahma]]) is the "[[highest]] [[Brahman]]," beyond all conceptualisations. In [[Wikipedia:Advaita Vedanta|Advaita Vedanta]] [[nirguna]] [[Brahman]], [[Brahman]] without qualities, is [[Para Brahman]]. In [[Vaishnavism]] and [[Shaivism]] [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] are para [[Brahman]]. [[Para Brahman]]. | + | [[Para Brahma]](n)(Sanskrit: [[परब्रह्म]]) (IAST: [[para-brahma]]) is the "[[highest]] [[Brahman]]," beyond all conceptualisations. In [[Wikipedia:Advaita Vedanta|Advaita Vedanta]] [[nirguna]] [[Brahman]], [[Brahman]] without qualities, is [[Para Brahman]]. In [[Vaishnavism]] and [[Shaivism]] [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] are para [[Brahman]]. [[Para Brahman]]. |
{{Wiki|Etymology}} | {{Wiki|Etymology}} | ||
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[[Para Brahma]] ([[Sanskrit]]), that which is beyond [[Brahma]]: | [[Para Brahma]] ([[Sanskrit]]), that which is beyond [[Brahma]]: | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | para, "beyond" | + | [[para]], "beyond" |
[[Brahma]] (neuter), [[universal self]] or [[spirit]]) | [[Brahma]] (neuter), [[universal self]] or [[spirit]]) | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
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| − | [[Nirguna Brahman]] ({{Wiki|Devanagari}} निर्गुण ब्रह्म, [[nirguṇa brahman]]), [[Brahman | + | [[Nirguna Brahman]] ({{Wiki|Devanagari}} [[निर्गुण ब्रह्म]], [[nirguṇa brahman]]), [[Brahman without form]] or qualities, is [[Para Brahman]], the [[highest Brahman]]. |
| + | According to [[Adi Shankara]], [[nirguna Brahman]] is [[Para-Brahma]], while all [[deities]] are [[forms]] and expansions of this [[Para-Brahma]]. | ||
| − | According to Eliot Deutsch, [[nirguna]] [[Brahman]] is a "[[state of being]]" in which "all {{Wiki|distinctions}} are obliterated and are overcome." It describes the features of a [[nondualistic]] [[experience]], in which a [[subjective]] [[experience]] also becomes an [[objective]] "[[object]]" of [[knowledge]] and a [[phenomenal]] [[reality]]. The [[Absolute Truth]] is both [[subject]] and [[object]], so there is no qualitative difference: | + | |
| + | According to [[Eliot Deutsch]], [[nirguna]] [[Brahman]] is a "[[state of being]]" in which "all {{Wiki|distinctions}} are obliterated and are overcome." | ||
| + | |||
| + | It describes the features of a [[nondualistic]] [[experience]], in which a [[subjective]] [[experience]] also becomes an [[objective]] "[[object]]" of [[knowledge]] and a [[phenomenal]] [[reality]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Absolute Truth]] is both [[subject]] and [[object]], so there is no qualitative difference: | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | "Learned [[transcendentalists]] who know the [[Absolute Truth]] call this [[nondual | + | "Learned [[transcendentalists]] who know the [[Absolute Truth]] call this [[nondual substance Brahma]], [[Paramatma]] or [[Bhagavan]]." ([[Bhagavata Purana]] 1.2.11) |
"Whoever realizes the [[Supreme Brahma]] attains to supreme [[felicity]]. That [[Supreme Brahma]] is [[Eternal Truth]] ([[satyam]]), [[Omniscient]] ([[jnanam]]), [[Infinite]] ([[anantam]])." ([[Taittiriya Upanishad]] 2.1.1) | "Whoever realizes the [[Supreme Brahma]] attains to supreme [[felicity]]. That [[Supreme Brahma]] is [[Eternal Truth]] ([[satyam]]), [[Omniscient]] ([[jnanam]]), [[Infinite]] ([[anantam]])." ([[Taittiriya Upanishad]] 2.1.1) | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
| − | The [[Wikipedia:Upanishads|Upanishads]] [[state]] that the [[Supreme Brahma]] is Eternal, [[Conscious]], and [[Blissful]] [[sat-chit-ânanda]]. The realisation of this [[truth]] is the same as being this [[truth]]: | + | The [[Wikipedia:Upanishads|Upanishads]] [[state]] that the [[Supreme Brahma]] is Eternal, [[Conscious]], and [[Blissful]] [[sat-chit-ânanda]]. |
| + | |||
| + | The realisation of this [[truth]] is the same as being this [[truth]]: | ||
| + | |||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
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| − | In [[Vaishnavism]] it is [[Narayana]], [[Vishnu]] or [[Krishna]] who is para-Brahman or the [[Supreme personality]] | + | In [[Vaishnavism]] it is [[Narayana]], [[Vishnu]] or [[Krishna]] who is [[para-Brahman]] or the [[Supreme personality of Godhead]]. |
| + | |||
| + | A wide range of {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[scriptures]] is quoted by [[Vaishnavas]] as pointing to [[Narayana]] as the [[Supreme Being]]: | ||
| + | |||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
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"All [[incarnations]] are either plenary portions or expansions of plenary portions appearing in various [[universes]] to {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Wikipedia:Theism|theists]]; but Lord [[Krishna]] is the original supreme lord and the source of all." ([[Bhagavata Purana]] 1.3.27-28) | "All [[incarnations]] are either plenary portions or expansions of plenary portions appearing in various [[universes]] to {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Wikipedia:Theism|theists]]; but Lord [[Krishna]] is the original supreme lord and the source of all." ([[Bhagavata Purana]] 1.3.27-28) | ||
| − | "Lord [[Krishna]] is the supreme [[absolute]] controller, whose [[form]] comprises [[immortality]], [[omniscience]], and [[bliss]]. He is without beginning, the origin of all, the [[cause]] of all [[causes]] and the source of the [[Vedas]]." ([[Brahma | + | "Lord [[Krishna]] is the supreme [[absolute]] controller, whose [[form]] comprises [[immortality]], [[omniscience]], and [[bliss]]. He is without beginning, the origin of all, the [[cause]] of all [[causes]] and the source of the [[Vedas]]." ([[Brahma Samhita]] 5.1) |
"There is no [[truth]] {{Wiki|superior}} to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as {{Wiki|pearls}} are strung on a thread." ([[Wikipedia:Bhagavad Gita|Bhagavad Gita]] 7.7) | "There is no [[truth]] {{Wiki|superior}} to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as {{Wiki|pearls}} are strung on a thread." ([[Wikipedia:Bhagavad Gita|Bhagavad Gita]] 7.7) | ||
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[[Krishna]] says in {{Wiki|Bhagavad-Gita}}: "And I am the basis of the {{Wiki|impersonal}} [[Brahman]], which is [[immortal]], imperishable and eternal and is the constitutional position of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[happiness]]." (Bg 14.27) | [[Krishna]] says in {{Wiki|Bhagavad-Gita}}: "And I am the basis of the {{Wiki|impersonal}} [[Brahman]], which is [[immortal]], imperishable and eternal and is the constitutional position of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[happiness]]." (Bg 14.27) | ||
| − | "[[Narayana]] is, | + | |
| + | |||
| + | "[[Narayana]] is, | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[Para Jyoti]], the greatest {{Wiki|light}}, | ||
| + | [[Para Atma]], the super [[soul]] ([[Paramatman]]), | ||
| + | [[Para Tatvam]], the best of [[essences]], | ||
| + | [[Para Dhyata]], the greatest [[meditator]], | ||
| + | [[Para Dhyanam]], the best of [[meditations]]." ([[Narayana]] verse 4) | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
| + | |||
[[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]] [[philosophy]] | [[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]] [[philosophy]] | ||
| − | In [[Shaivism]], [[Shiva]] is para-Brahman, [[Parameshvara]] (para-Ishvara, the [[Transcendent]] | + | In [[Shaivism]], [[Shiva]] is [[para-Brahman]], [[Parameshvara]] ([[para-Ishvara]], the [[Transcendent Lord]]), and [[Satchitananda]]. |
[[Shiva]] itself is changeless, but his [[female consort]] [[Shakti]] is that Power of the [[formless]] and static [[Param Brahma]] that is necessary for creation. | [[Shiva]] itself is changeless, but his [[female consort]] [[Shakti]] is that Power of the [[formless]] and static [[Param Brahma]] that is necessary for creation. | ||
| − | [[Shakti]] is the first [[desire]] ([[Kama]]) of [[Shiva]], the [[Primordial]] Will to | + | [[Shakti]] is the first [[desire]] ([[Kama]]) of [[Shiva]], the [[Primordial]] Will to be that pervades all [[manifestation]]. |
| + | |||
| + | The [[cosmos]] enables the [[Supreme Self]] to know, see, and live the Supreme [[Consciousness]] through its [[own]] [[self-willed]] limitation. | ||
| − | + | The penultimate {{Wiki|purpose}} of the [[cosmos]] is mergence of the created drop with the ocean that is its Mother. | |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Revision as of 17:45, 9 December 2015
Para Brahma(n)(Sanskrit: परब्रह्म) (IAST: para-brahma) is the "highest Brahman," beyond all conceptualisations. In Advaita Vedanta nirguna Brahman, Brahman without qualities, is Para Brahman. In Vaishnavism and Shaivism Vishnu and Shiva are para Brahman. Para Brahman.
Para Brahma (Sanskrit), that which is beyond Brahma:
para, "beyond"
Brahma (neuter), universal self or spirit)
Synonymous terms are Paramatma, Purushottama, Parameshvara, Bhagavan, Brahma are held to be synonymous with ParaBrahma. The syllable OM is also a name for Param Brahma (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 1:7).
Advaita Vedanta - Nirguna Brahman
Nirguna Brahman (Devanagari निर्गुण ब्रह्म, nirguṇa brahman), Brahman without form or qualities, is Para Brahman, the highest Brahman.
According to Adi Shankara, nirguna Brahman is Para-Brahma, while all deities are forms and expansions of this Para-Brahma.
According to Eliot Deutsch, nirguna Brahman is a "state of being" in which "all distinctions are obliterated and are overcome."
It describes the features of a nondualistic experience, in which a subjective experience also becomes an objective "object" of knowledge and a phenomenal reality.
The Absolute Truth is both subject and object, so there is no qualitative difference:
"Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahma, Paramatma or Bhagavan." (Bhagavata Purana 1.2.11)
"Whoever realizes the Supreme Brahma attains to supreme felicity. That Supreme Brahma is Eternal Truth (satyam), Omniscient (jnanam), Infinite (anantam)." (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1)
The Upanishads state that the Supreme Brahma is Eternal, Conscious, and Blissful sat-chit-ânanda.
The realisation of this truth is the same as being this truth:
"The One is Bliss. Whoever perceives the Blissful One, the reservoir of pleasure, becomes blissful forever." (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.7.1-2)
"Verily know the Supreme One to be Bliss." (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.9.28)
In Vaishnavism it is Narayana, Vishnu or Krishna who is para-Brahman or the Supreme personality of Godhead.
A wide range of Vedic scriptures is quoted by Vaishnavas as pointing to Narayana as the Supreme Being:
"He is the prime eternal among all eternals. He is the supreme living entity of all living entities, and He alone is maintaining all life." (Katha Upanishad 2.2.13)
"All incarnations are either plenary portions or expansions of plenary portions appearing in various universes to protect the theists; but Lord Krishna is the original supreme lord and the source of all." (Bhagavata Purana 1.3.27-28)
"Lord Krishna is the supreme absolute controller, whose form comprises immortality, omniscience, and bliss. He is without beginning, the origin of all, the cause of all causes and the source of the Vedas." (Brahma Samhita 5.1)
"There is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread." (Bhagavad Gita 7.7)
"Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Brahma, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original Person, the unborn, the greatest." (Bhagavad Gita 10.12)
Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita: "And I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman, which is immortal, imperishable and eternal and is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness." (Bg 14.27)
"Narayana is,
Para Jyoti, the greatest light,
Para Atma, the super soul (Paramatman),
Para Tatvam, the best of essences,
Para Dhyata, the greatest meditator,
Para Dhyanam, the best of meditations." (Narayana verse 4)
Shiva and Shakti philosophy
In Shaivism, Shiva is para-Brahman, Parameshvara (para-Ishvara, the Transcendent Lord), and Satchitananda.
Shiva itself is changeless, but his female consort Shakti is that Power of the formless and static Param Brahma that is necessary for creation.
Shakti is the first desire (Kama) of Shiva, the Primordial Will to be that pervades all manifestation.
The cosmos enables the Supreme Self to know, see, and live the Supreme Consciousness through its own self-willed limitation.
The penultimate purpose of the cosmos is mergence of the created drop with the ocean that is its Mother.
