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Bliss of the Absolute

CHENNAI: The objective of the Vedas, which are the scriptural authority for the tradition of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), is human welfare in all its dimensions. The Karma kanda prescribes various sacrifices and rituals, some of which are obligatory, to get all that is required for leading a happy life in the world. Even after enjoying all the materialistic pleasures an individual will find that there is an urge to experience lasting happiness as all worldly joys have their limitations.

In his discourse, Sri O.R.Devanathan said the scriptures were known as the Vedas because they made known that which was beyond human perception and inference, through which worldly knowledge was gained. The latter section of the Vedas, the Jnana kanda, is known popularly as Vedanta, and this deals with the quest beyond materialistic pleasures to find the source of that which will bequeath eternal joy — the bliss of the Supreme Being (Brahmananda). This section comprises many Upanishads of which 10 are very important in the Vedanta schools. Among them, the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and the Taittiriya Upanishad elaborate the bliss of realising Brahman.

The term “Brahman” etymologically means “that which is great.” As Brahman is the Absolute there cannot be anything greater than that. Then if one were to ask if there is anything comparable to Brahman, the Vedas state categorically that there is no one equal to Him. Brahman is all-pervasive and immanent in all. How is it then possible to know the Absolute? During spiritual instruction it thus becomes imperative that the characteristics of Brahman be defined. Definitions according to tradition should not have three blemishes: should neither be too general nor too limited, and it should not be indicated by the qualities it does not possess.

Brahman is defined in two ways in the Upanishads: the first is by its essential nature as existence, consciousness and infinite, and bliss. The other method is through highlighting the characteristics familiar to experience. For instance, a definition of Brahman is that from which this entire creation of insentient and sentient beings originate, exist and finally merge into.

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