Miscellaneous - Religion   

The Absolute Reality

CHENNAI : The Supreme Reality defies categorisation as it is not possible to dismiss it as `non-being' just because it is imperceptible, or call it `being' because it is beyond description. Lord Krishna, while discussing the Supreme, states in the Gita, "I shall speak to you at length about that which ought to be known, and knowing which one attains supreme bliss. That Supreme Brahman, who is the Lord of eternal entities is said to be neither Sat (being) nor Asat (non-being)."

In his discourse, Sri Goda Venketeswara Sastri said the Absolute was all-pervasive and everything that was perceived. He is in all beings and though formless assumes the diversity of forms. Then the doubt will arise whether the forms that are perceived are real. Though the Almighty assumes any form that man conceives — He has incarnated as a fish (Matsya), tortoise (Kurma), and a man-lion (Narasimha) — He is beyond all these forms as His will is absolute. These forms are self-limitations (Upadhi) due to Maya. Unlike the rest He is unattached and sustains all. Though the Reality is without attributes (Nirguna) it is the enjoyer of qualities (the three modes of Prakriti namely, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). The Vishnu Sahasranama notes that the divine names are derived from His infinite qualities. Seers have intuited each name and a thousand names have been strung together in this hymn for easy recitation. The scriptures reiterate that the Reality is one though it is spoken of as many. Thus the Supreme Being can be worshipped in any form. But it should be always remembered that He is not limited by any form for He can assume any form at will.

The example of the Almighty appearing in the form Dhruva meditated on Him gives insight into this. Dhruva was a small child when he set off to the forest to realise God. Narada tried to dissuade him but he was so determined that finally the sage described the divine form of the Lord and initiated him. Dhruva then visualised Him and meditated on Him, and God assumed that form when He appeared before him.

How can one know that the Almighty is the enjoyer? It is because of the Self (Atman) that man's faculties function. As all perceptions and knowledge are gained through the sense organs, the Self becomes the enjoyer of all.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword No. 8692
Solution to Puzzle No. 8691
The Absolute Reality
dated August 26, 1956: UK troop movement
dated August 26, 1956: Over-crowding in trains
dated August 26, 1956: Memorial for music trinity
Weather

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu