|
Brahman the Supreme Spirit is undivided
whole and is beyond time, space and causation. Brahman is Consciousness
and Bliss. This universe or Brahmand is the body of Brahman. There are
four aspects of manifestation of Brahman-
1. Brahman
Brahman is Truth, Consciousness and
Infinity. The universe comes out of Brahman, rests in It and merges in
It. Just as the spider throws out the web from within itself and draws
it in so also does Brahman with the universe. Just as trees and plants
shoot up from the earth, so does the universe come out of it. But the
universe (Brahmanda) does not manifest everything. The transcendent
aspect of Brahman is without any relation to the world. This higher
aspect of God is called Nirguna Brahman (or Brahman). Here Supreme
Spirit is beyond time, space and causation. This transcendental aspect
of God known as Brahman can be compared with the soul (Atman) in the
body. It is without any characteristic.
2. Ishwar
The immanent aspect of Supreme Spirit is
called Saguna Brahman or Ishwar. Here God is regarded as the Creator,
the Sustainer, the Destroyer of the world and therefore, also an
Omnipotent and Omniscient Being. He is the object of worship.
3. Hiranyagarbha
Hiranyagarbha is God in dreaming state and
manifestation of the universe in subtle form.
4. Virat
Vaishvanar or Virat is God fully awake. This
aspect of God is the totality of all gross objects, the entire
manifested world, including all individuals (jivas)
In other theistic religions of the world
only immanent aspect of God is discussed and nothing is said about
Nirguna Bramha. Thus this is another distinct feature of Hinduism.
|
