In Hindu philosophy, the concept of Brahman represents the ultimate, infinite, and eternal reality that forms the foundation of everything in the universe. It is the essence of existence, consciousness, and bliss, often referred to as Sat-Chit-Ananda (Pure Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss). We will explore the topic of Brahman in simple terms in the blog below.
Brahman: The Universal Reality
In Physical terms, Brahman is not an object that can be seen, touched, or described by the senses. It is beyond the reach of the physical world and is considered Adrisya, meaning invisible or imperceptible. The ancient texts of Hinduism, the Upanishads, often describe Brahman using the phrase “Neti, Neti,” which means “Not this, not this.” This indicates that Brahman cannot be defined by anything we know; it transcends all forms, attributes, and limitations. Our we can that our human brain intelligent enough to understand the ultimate reality. Its like inconceivable.
Despite being beyond comprehension, Brahman is not a void or a negative concept. It is all-encompassing, infinite, changeless, self-existent, and blissful. It is the Svarupa (essence) of all that exists and the very core of the one seeking to understand it. Brahman is everywhere — within us, around us, and beyond.
The Nature of Brahman
According to the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, Brahman is:
- Nirguna (without attributes): Brahman has no qualities, forms, or distinctions.
- Nirakara (formless): It is not bound by shape or size.
- Nirvisesha (without special characteristics): It cannot be categorized or distinguished.
- Eternal and Immutable: Brahman does not change and is timeless.
- Non-Dual: Brahman is one without a second. There is nothing outside or other than Brahman.
Brahman is described as the Seer (Drashta) and the Silent Witness (Sakshi) — the ever-present observer of all that occurs in the universe. It is the ultimate source of all knowledge and existence, yet it remains beyond the grasp of the senses and mind.
Two Aspects of Brahman
Hindu philosophy explains Brahman through two perspectives:
- Nirguna Brahman (Transcendental Brahman): This is the formless, impersonal aspect of Brahman, beyond all attributes and qualities. It represents the ultimate reality in its purest form.
- Saguna Brahman (Personal Brahman): This is the same Brahman viewed with attributes and qualities, often worshipped as a personal God. Saguna Brahman emerges through the influence of Maya (illusion) for the sake of human understanding and devotion.
Both Nirguna and Saguna Brahman are not two different entities but two ways of perceiving the same ultimate truth. Nirguna Brahman is the higher, transcendental reality, while Saguna Brahman is the relative reality that allows us to connect with divinity on a personal level.
The Role of Maya and Avidya
The world we experience is a result of Maya, a mysterious power that causes the ultimate reality (Brahman) to appear as the changing world. According to Shankaracharya, Maya is neither fully real nor fully unreal. It exists until we attain self-realization but vanishes when true knowledge dawns. To understand the Maya you can relate it from the movie Matrix. Where the ultimate relality is beyond normal perception.
Avidya (ignorance) is the reason we perceive ourselves as separate from Brahman. It superimposes the world onto Brahman, much like seeing a rope and mistaking it for a snake in dim light. The aim of life is to overcome this ignorance, recognize our true nature, and realize that we are not different from Brahman.
Brahman and the Self (Atman)
The concept of Atman, or the individual self, is central to understanding Brahman. Hindu philosophy teaches that the Atman is self-evident and cannot be denied, as it is the very essence of the one who seeks to understand it. The Atman is the same as Brahman — infinite, eternal, and blissful.
The Upanishads describe the Atman as:
- The basis of all knowledge and awareness.
- Present everywhere — within and without, above and below, in every direction.
- The eternal witness of all experiences.
The ultimate goal of life is to realize that the Atman (our true self) is identical to Brahman. This realization leads to liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
The Reality of the World
Hindu philosophy does not dismiss the world as entirely unreal. Instead, it considers the world relatively real (Vyavaharika Satta) compared to Brahman’s absolute reality (Paramarthika Satta). The world is like a dream — it feels real while we are in it but disappears when we awaken. Similarly, the world exists as long as we are under the influence of Maya but fades away when we attain knowledge of Brahman.
