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Brahman (Samskrit : ब्रह्मन्) signifies the Absolute, Eternal, Changeless, Infinite element without attributes, qualities beyond name and form, yet all encompassing the universe called variously as Parabrahma, Paramatma, Purusha, Paratpara, Satya.  

Brahman (Samskrit : ब्रह्मन्) signifies the Absolute, Eternal, Changeless, Infinite element without attributes, qualities beyond name and form, yet all encompassing the universe called variously as Parabrahma, Paramatma, Purusha, Paratpara, Satya.  

Represented by प्रणवम् ॥ OM and designated as तत् ॥ That, IT stands for Unity, which cannot be perceived by the eyes, but which IS (exists सत्) and is implied in the very existence of universes, systems, worlds, and in effect all entities (animate or inanimate).

IT, that nameless, formless supreme being is the goal of a sadhaka engaged in the practice of Paravidya, (the Brahmavidya) knowing which is the Supreme Wisdom (Jnana) achieved through the paths laid down in the various texts, discussed through ages in the Upanishads and Brahmasutras.<ref name=":0222" />

 

IT is the goal of a sadhaka engaged in the practice of Paravidya, (the Brahmavidya) knowing which is the Supreme Wisdom (Jnana) achieved through the paths laid down in the various texts, discussed through ages in the Upanishads and Brahmasutras.<ref name=":0222" />

While the samskrit word Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) used in this article is a pratipadika (a stem), usually this entity is referred to mostly as Brahma padarth or Parabrahma in the various texts.  The first case ending of Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) is Brahma (ब्रह्मा) which should not be confused with the deity Brahma who is the creator among the trimurthis (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).  

While the samskrit word Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) used in this article is a pratipadika (a stem), usually this entity is referred to mostly as Brahma padarth or Parabrahma in the various texts.  The first case ending of Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) is Brahma (ब्रह्मा) which should not be confused with the deity Brahma who is the creator among the trimurthis (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).  

Discussion of Brahman-Atman and Self-realization develops in the Upanishads as the means to moksha (loosely translated but not equal to liberation, freedom in this life or after-life). Worship which was primarily of the nature and natural elements (like fire, clouds and rains, air) was followed by deities having a form and qualities (Saguna Brahman) which gradually led to worship of "Tat" (That) which is a nameless, formless Supreme Entity without attributes and qualities called as Nirguna Brahman.  

Discussion of Brahman-Atman and Self-realization develops in the Upanishads as the means to moksha (loosely translated but not equal to liberation, freedom in this life or after-life). Worship which was primarily of the nature and natural elements (like fire, clouds and rains, air) was followed by deities having a form and qualities (Saguna Brahman) which gradually led to worship of "Tat" (That) which is a nameless, formless Supreme Entity without attributes and qualities called as Nirguna Brahman.  

===Nirguna Brahma Swarupa===

===Nirguna Brahma Swarupa===

Brahman is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists. It is the pervasive, genderless, infinite, eternal truth and bliss which does not change, yet is the cause of all changes. Brahman is "the infinite source, fabric, core and destiny of all existence, both manifested and unmanifested, the formless infinite substratum and from which the universe has grown". Kathopanishad states 1.2.15 and 16 that<blockquote>सर्वे वेदा यत्पदमामनन्ति तपाँसि सर्वाणि च यद्वदन्ति । यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदँ संग्रहेण ब्रवीम्योमित्येतत् ॥ १५ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं ब्रह्म एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं परम् । एतद्ध्येवाक्षरं ज्ञात्वा यो यदिच्छति तस्य तत् ॥ १६ ॥ (Kath. Upan. 1.2.15)<ref>Kathopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80 Adhyaya 1 Valli 2])</ref></blockquote>That which all the Vedas declare, that which all austerities utter, That desiring which they lead the life of Brahmacharya, That Word I tell thee briefly : it is Aum. That word is even Brahman; that Word is even the Supreme. <ref name=":022">''Sanatana Dharma : An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics''. (1903) Benares : The Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College</ref>

Brahman is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists. It is the pervasive, genderless, infinite, eternal truth and bliss which does not change, yet is the cause of all changes. Brahman is "the infinite source, fabric, core and destiny of all existence, both manifested and unmanifested, the formless infinite substratum and from which the universe has grown".  

 

Formless and nameless be the description of Nirguna Brahma, however, his nature is Infiniteness, Absoluteness, Eternity, Changelessness finally it constitutes All That is (अस्तीति). That which is beyond number and name is denoted by one sound called Pranava.

===प्रणवम् ॥ Pranava===

===प्रणवम् ॥ Pranava===

Formless and nameless be the description of Nirguna Brahma, however, his nature is Infiniteness, Absoluteness, Eternity, Changelessness finally it constitutes All That is (अस्तीति). (Shev. Upan. 4.18) That which is beyond number and name is denoted by one sound called Pranava. Tattriyopanishad,  Shikshavalli contains the stuti of Pranava in the eighth anuvaka as follows

Represented by OM (ॐ) or Pranava (प्रणवम्) and designated as तत् ॥ That, IT (Brahman । ब्रह्मन्) stands for Unity, which cannot be perceived by the eyes, but which IS (exists सत्) and is implied in the very existence of universes, systems, worlds, and in effect all entities (animate or inanimate) is the Brahman. All Upanishads discuss the matter of Pranava giving different perspectives about how it represents Brahman.

 

Shvetasvatara Upanishad<blockquote>यदाऽतमस्तन्न दिवा न रात्रिर्न सन्नचासच्छिव एव केवलः । तदक्षरं तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं प्रज्ञा च तस्मात्प्रसृता पुराणी ॥ १८ ॥(Shev. Upan. 4.18)<ref>Shvetasvatara Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4% Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote>Taittriya Upanishad

 

Tattriyopanishad,  Shikshavalli contains the stuti of Pranava in the eighth anuvaka as follows<blockquote>ओमिति ब्रह्म । ओमितीदँसर्वम् । (Tait. Upan. 1.8)<ref>Taittriyopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4% Shikshavalli, Anuvaka 8])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म (Maha. Nara. Upan. 33)</blockquote>Kathopanishad

 

 

 

ओमिति ब्रह्म । ओमितीदँसर्वम् । (Tait. Upan. 1.8)<ref>Taittriyopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4% Shikshavalli, Anuvaka 8])</ref>

Brhdaranyaka Upanishad also lays emphasis of the Unity of Jiva and Brahman (2.4.6-9). In the [[Yajnavalkya Maitreyi samvada (याज्ञवल्क्यमैत्रेय्योः संवादः)|Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi Samvada]], the very nature of Atman is defined. All the brahmanas, kshatriyas, the whole world, the countless devatas and all beings are the form of Atman only.<ref name=":1" />

ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म (Maha. Nara. Upan. 33)

Mandukya Upanishad's Mahavakya reinstates the concept of unity of Atma and Paramatma.

Kathopanishad says <ref name=":1">Sharma, Ram Murthy. (1987 2nd edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/VaidikSahityaKaItihasRamMurthySharma/page/n143 Vaidik Sahitya ka Itihas]'' Delhi : Eastern Book Linkers</ref><blockquote>यदेवेह तदमुत्र यदमुत्र तदन्विह । मृत्योः स मृत्युमाप्नोति य इह नानेव पश्यति ॥ १० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>मनसैवेदमाप्तव्यं नेह नानाऽस्ति किंचन । मृत्योः स मृत्युं गच्छति य इह नानेव पश्यति ॥ ११ ॥ (Kath. Upan. 2.1.11)<ref>Kathopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80 Adhyaya 2, Valli 1])</ref></blockquote>Summary : The entity that exists in all beings from Brahma down to immovable and appears as non- Brahman owing to limiting factors (Jiva) is different from Supreme Brahman is subject to birth and death. What indeed is here, is there and what is there is here. He who sees as though there is difference between the two, goes from death to death. This is to be attained through the Manas only. There is no diversity between the Self and Supreme Brahman.<ref>Swami Gambhirananda (1989 Second Edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/EightUpanishadsWithSankarabhashyamSwamiGambhiranandaVol11989/page/n198 Eight Upanishads, Volume 2 (Isa, Kena, Katha,and Taittriya)]'' Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama</ref>

सर्वं ह्येतद् ब्रह्मा अयमात्मा ब्रह्म। This Atma is Brahman (Mand. Upan. 2)

Brhdaranyaka Upanishad also lays emphasis of the Unity of Jiva and Brahman (2.4.6-9). In [[Yajnavalkya Maitreyi samvada (याज्ञवल्क्यमैत्रेय्योः संवादः)|Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi Samvada]], the very nature of Atman is defined. All the brahmanas, kshatriyas, the whole world, the countless devatas and all beings are the form of Atman only.<ref name=":1" />

That the Brahman is the basis of the whole universe (Adhishtata) is emphasized in the Taittriya Upanishad.  

That Brahman is the basis of the whole universe (Adhishtata) is emphasized in the Taittriya Upanishad. In the Mandukya Upanishad is mentioned, the first time in the history of thought, the distinction between the Brahman and  Isvara. Isvara is like a supreme devata in relation to the universe and viewed through human perspective, whereas Brahman is Supreme or Absolute, as He is in Himself, viewed independently. In later Vedantic literature the two are often spoken of as Saguna Brahman and Nirguna Brahman. That is, the same Brahman is viewed from two different standpoints--the relative standpoint and the independent standpoint.

In the Mandukya Upanishad is mentioned, the first time in the history of thought, the distinction between the Brahman and  Isvara. Isvara is like a supreme devata in relation to the universe and viewed through human perspective, whereas Brahman is Supreme or Absolute, as He is in Himself, viewed independently. In later Vedantic literature the two are often spoken of as Saguna Brahman and Nirguna Brahman. That is, the same Brahman is viewed from two different standpoints--the relative standpoint and the independent standpoint.

Mundakopanishad, says Brahman is "That which cannot be seen or grasped, which has neither origin nor properties, which has neither eyes nor ears, neither hands nor feet, which is eternal, all-pervading, omnipresent 'and extremely subtle, Imperishable which the rshis regard as the origin of all beings."

Mundakopanishad, says Brahman is "That which cannot be seen or grasped, which has neither origin nor properties, which has neither eyes nor ears, neither hands nor feet, which is eternal, all-pervading, omnipresent 'and extremely subtle, Imperishable which the rshis regard as the origin of all beings."