In the philosophical school of Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is the ultimate, unchanging reality that is the single, binding unity behind the diversity of all that exists in the universe. It is the central concept upon which the entire philosophy is built. Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, posits that Brahman is the only reality, and the perceived world of multiplicity is ultimately an illusion.
The Nature of Brahman
Brahman is described as Sat-chit-ananda, meaning its nature is pure existence (Sat), pure consciousness (Chit), and pure bliss (Ananda). It is eternal, infinite, and indivisible. According to Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is beyond all attributes and distinctions that are perceived in the empirical world.
Two Aspects of Brahman: Nirguna and Saguna
To facilitate understanding, Advaita Vedanta speaks of Brahman in two aspects:
Nirguna Brahman: This is Brahman in its true, unmanifested state. It is formless, without qualities, and beyond all conceptualization. Nirguna Brahman is the absolute, transcendental reality. It can only be realized through the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) and cannot be an object of worship as it is beyond the grasp of the senses and the mind.
Saguna Brahman: This is the manifested aspect of Brahman with attributes. It is the personal God, often referred to as Ishvara, who is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. Saguna Brahman is the object of devotion and worship in various forms, such as Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi. However, from the ultimate perspective of Advaita, Saguna Brahman is also considered a part of the illusory world (Maya) that helps the individual soul (Jiva) on its spiritual journey towards realizing the formless Nirguna Brahman.
Brahman, Atman, and the World
A cornerstone of Advaita Vedanta is the identity of the individual soul, or Atman, with Brahman. The famous Upanishadic dictum, Tat Tvam Asi ("That Thou Art"), encapsulates this truth. This means that the inmost essence of every individual is nothing other than Brahman. The perceived separation between the individual self and the ultimate reality is due to ignorance (Avidya) and the veiling power of illusion (Maya).
The phenomenal world, with all its objects and experiences, is considered to be Mithya, which is often translated as "unreal" or "illusory." This does not mean the world is non-existent, but rather that its reality is dependent and provisional. Just as a rope may be mistaken for a snake in the dark, the world is a superimposition on the ultimate reality of Brahman. Upon the dawning of true knowledge, the illusion of the world as a separate entity from Brahman vanishes, just as the illusion of the snake disappears when the light reveals the rope.
The Path to Realizing Brahman
The ultimate goal of human life, according to Advaita Vedanta, is to realize one's true nature as Brahman and thereby attain liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). This realization is achieved through the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga), which involves a three-fold process:
Shravana (Hearing): Listening to the teachings of the scriptures (like the Upanishads) from a qualified teacher (Guru) to understand the non-dual nature of reality.
Manana (Reflection): Intellectually contemplating the teachings to remove all doubts and gain a firm conviction in their truth.
Nididhyasana (Meditation): Deep and constant meditation on the identity of Atman and Brahman, leading to the direct, experiential realization of this truth.
The Mahavakyas, or "Great Sayings" from the Upanishads, such as Aham Brahmasmi ("I am Brahman") and Prajnanam Brahma ("Consciousness is Brahman"), are powerful tools for contemplation and meditation on this path.
In essence, Advaita Vedanta presents a profound vision of reality where the individual is not a separate, limited being, but is identical with the infinite, eternal, and blissful Brahman. The journey is one of removing the veil of ignorance to realize this inherent oneness.
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