para Brahman

''Para Brahman'' ( sa, परब्रह्म, translit=parabrahma, translit-std=IAST) in Hindu philosophy is the "Supreme Brahman" that which is beyond all descriptions and conceptualisations. It is described as the formless (in the sense that it is devoid of Maya) that eternally pervades everything, everywhere in the universe and whatever is beyond.

Param Brahma is conceptualised in diverse ways. In the Advaita Vedanta tradition, the Param Brahma is a synonym of ''nirguna brahman'', i.e., the attribute-less Absolute. Conversely, in Dvaita Vedanta and Vishistadvaita Vedanta traditions, the Param Brahma is defined as '' saguna brahman'', i.e., the Absolute with attributes. In Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism, Vishnu, Shiva and Adi Shakti respectively are Param Brahma. Mahaganapati is considered as Param Brahma by the Ganapatya sect. Kartikeya is considered as Param Brahma by the Kartikeya sect.

Etymology

''Para'' is a Sanskrit word that means "higher" in some contexts, and "highest or supreme" in others.

''Brahman'' in Hinduism connotes the Absolute, the Ultimate Reality in the universe.James Lochtefeld, ''Brahman'', The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing. , page 122PT Raju (2006), Idealistic Thought of India, Routledge, , page 426 and Conclusion chapter part XII In major schools of Hindu philosophy it is the immaterial, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists.For dualism school of Hinduism, see: Francis X. Clooney (2010), Hindu God, Christian God: How Reason Helps Break Down the Boundaries between Religions, Oxford University Press, , pages 51-58, 111-115;
For monist school of Hinduism, see: B Martinez-Bedard (2006), Types of Causes in Aristotle and Sankara, Thesis - Department of Religious Studies (Advisors: Kathryn McClymond and Sandra Dwyer), Georgia State University, pages 18-35 Brahman is a key concept found in the Vedas and is extensively discussed in the early UpanishadsStephen Philips (1998), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Brahman to Derrida (Editor; Edward Craig), Routledge, , pages 1-4 and in Advaita Vedanta literature.

Advaita Vedanta

In Advaita Vedanta, the Para Brahman is defined as ''nirguna brahman'', or Brahman without form or qualities. It is a state of complete knowledge of self as being identical with the transcendental Brahman, a state of mental-spiritual enlightenment (Jnana yoga). It contrasts with Saguna Brahman which is a state of loving awareness (Bhakti yoga). Advaita Vedanta non-dualistically holds that Brahman is divine, the Divine is Brahman, and this is identical to that which is Atman (one's soul, innermost self) and nirguna (attribute-less), infinite, love, truth, knowledge, "being-consciousness-bliss".

According to Eliot Deutsch, ''Nirguna Brahman'' is a "state of being" in which all dualistic distinctions between one's own soul and Brahman are obliterated and are overcome. In contrast, ''Saguna Brahman'' is where the distinctions are harmonized after duality between one's own soul and Brahman has been accepted.

Advaita describes the features of a nondualistic experience, in which a subjective experience also becomes an "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 Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān." (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)

Vaishnavism

In Vaishnavism, Vishnu (Narayana) is considered as Para Brahman ( Adinarayana). Vishnu in his Vishvarupa is considered to be the supreme. His abode is called Vaikuntha and the name there is Para Vasudeva . He is depicted as the only Adipurusha According to the Narayana sukta in the Yajurveda . Narayana, in Hinduism, is considered as the Supreme Truth (Brahman), the thousand-headed, thousand-eyed, and thousand-limbed creator and this hymn is sung to worship Narayana, the universal Self (Paramatman).

Shaivism

In Shaivism, Shiva is Para Brahman. Parashiva, the supreme form of Lord Shiva, is considered as Para Brahman. According to mythology, Parashiva is the single incarnation of all souls and deities. He is also depicted as the only Adipurusha or Mahadeva.

Kashmir Shaivism

In Kashmir Shaivism, Svachhanda Bhairava is considered as the supreme form of Shiva. Kashmir Shaivism consider Svachhanda Bhairava as Para Brahman. Kashmir Shaivism holds ''turiya'', or the fourth state of consciousness, as the state of Brahman. It is neither wakefulness, dreaming, nor deep sleep. It exists in the junction between any of these three states, i.e. between waking and dreaming, between dreaming and deep sleep, and between deep sleep and waking. In Kashmir Shaivism there exists a fifth state of consciousness called Turiyatita - ''the state beyond Turiya'' which represents Parabrahman. Turiyatita, also called the void or shunya is the state where one attains liberation otherwise known as jivanmukti or moksha.

Shaktism

In Shaktism, Adi Parashakti is considered to be the Para Brahman both with and without qualities, and also Brahman in its energetic state, the ultimate reality. According to Devi Suktam and Sri Suktam in Rigveda she is the womb of all creation. Thus Mahakali is epithets is Brahmamayi, meaning "She Whose Essence is Brahman". Tridevi is the supreme form of Adi Parashakti. Her eternal abode is called Manidvipa.

Sant Mat

In Sant Mat and Kabir panth, Akshar Purush is called Parabrahman.
Parabrahman is other than Brahman so in the language of saints, it is called Parabrahman (''Para = next''). He is perishable. Akshar Purush (''Parabrahman'') was originated by Achint (''a son of Satpurush''). Achint was assigned some work. For the help in his work, he created Akshar Purush (''Parabrahman''), but Akshar Purush had done some negligence in his work due to which he was expelled from Satlok along with the seven sankh Brahmands.

See also

* Achintya Bheda Abheda
* Adi Parashakti
* Ātman (Hinduism)
* Bhakti
* Brahma
* Jiva
* Jnana
* Parbrahm Ashram
* Mahaganapati
* Oachira Temple
* Mahavishnu
* Narayana
* Om
* Padanilam Parabrahma Temple
* Paramatma
* Parashiva
* Svayam Bhagavan
* Vedanta
* Yoga

Notes

References

Sources

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External links

*{{Cite web
, url=http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/vedicsystem.htm
, title=VEDA - Vedas and Vedic Knowledge Online - Vedic Encyclopedia
, publisher=www.veda.harekrsna.cz

Hindu philosophical concepts
Hindu gods