View source for Describing Brahman - Understanding the Absolute Truth

The Absolute Truth is perceived in three distinct features: Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that understanding the true nature of Brahman requires a comprehensive study of the Vedic scriptures, which describe it as the Lord's effulgence, the source of creation, and even the total material energy.

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=== The Effulgence of the Lord ===

The impersonal Brahman is often the ultimate goal for speculative philosophers. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the authentic Vedic literatures perfectly describe this Brahman not as an independent void, but as the unlimited, glowing bodily effulgence of the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:It is not that the impersonal Brahman is denied; it is also described, but that Brahman is considered to be the glaring effulgence of the body of Caitanya|It is not that the impersonal Brahman is denied; it is also described, but that Brahman is considered to be the glaring effulgence of the body of Caitanya.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The descriptions of Brahman as the effulgence of Lord Caitanya, the Paramatma as His partial representation, and the SP of Godhead Krsna as identical with Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu must be verified by evidence from authoritative Vedic literatures|The descriptions of Brahman as the effulgence of Lord Caitanya, the Paramatma as His partial representation, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna as identical with Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu must be verified by evidence from authoritative Vedic literatures.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The impersonal Brahman, which is the effulgence of the Lord, is described in this verse - SB 6.16.21|The impersonal Brahman, which is the effulgence of the Lord, is described in this verse - SB 6.16.21.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This spiritual effulgence is the ultimate destination of the impersonalists known as Vedantists. The brahmajyoti is also described as ananta-param, unlimited and unfathomed|This spiritual effulgence is the ultimate destination of the impersonalists known as Vedantists. The brahmajyoti is also described as ananta-param, unlimited and unfathomed.]]

=== The Source of Everything ===

The primary definition of the Absolute Truth is that it is the original cause of all phenomena. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the ''Vedānta-sūtra'' and the ''Brahma-saṁhitā'' explicitly describe Brahman as the supreme source from which all physical and spiritual manifestations emanate.

* [[Vaniquotes:Brahman is that from whom, or from which, whatever you like, everything is emanated. So that Supreme Source, summum bonum, of everything is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam|Brahman is that from whom, or from which, whatever you like, everything is emanated. So that Supreme Source, summum bonum, of everything is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Vedanta-sutra describes that Brahman is the cause of everything. Janmady asya yatah - SB 1.1.1|The Vedanta-sutra describes that Brahman is the cause of everything. Janmady asya yatah - SB 1.1.1.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Brahma-samhita clearly describes Brahman, "It flourishes on the strength of Govinda and after annihilation enters into and is conserved in Govinda"|The Brahma-samhita clearly describes Brahman, "It flourishes on the strength of Govinda and after annihilation enters into and is conserved in Govinda."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The previous verses (previous to SB 6.16.25) described the Brahman and Paramatma features of the Absolute Truth. Now this prayer is offered in bhakti-yoga to the Absolute Supreme Person|The previous verses (previous to SB 6.16.25) described the Brahman and Paramatma features of the Absolute Truth. Now this prayer is offered in bhakti-yoga to the Absolute Supreme Person.]]

=== The Material Brahman ===

Interestingly, the term Brahman is not exclusively reserved for the spiritual sky. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that the total material substance, known as the ''mahat-tattva'', is also categorized as Brahman because it is the massive, unalloyed energy impregnated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

* [[Vaniquotes:The mahat-tattva, is described as Brahman in the Vedic literature: tasmad etad brahma nama-rupam annam ca jayate. Into that Brahman the seeds of the living entities are impregnated by the Supreme Person. BG 1972 purports|The mahat-tattva, is described as Brahman in the Vedic literature: tasmad etad brahma nama-rupam annam ca jayate. Into that Brahman the seeds of the living entities are impregnated by the Supreme Person.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Supreme Personality impregnates that total substance, and thus innumerable universes become possible. This total material substance, the mahat-tattva, is described as Brahman in the Vedic literature. BG 1972 purports|The Supreme Personality impregnates that total substance, and thus innumerable universes become possible. This total material substance, the mahat-tattva, is described as Brahman in the Vedic literature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Brahman is the resort of the mahat-tattva, which includes all material and spiritual entities. It is described in this connection that the Supreme Brahman, the Personality of Godhead, is the master of both pradhana and purusa|Brahman is the resort of the mahat-tattva, which includes all material and spiritual entities. It is described in this connection that the Supreme Brahman, the Personality of Godhead, is the master of both pradhana and purusa.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Where nirguna Brahman is found, simple unalloyed goodness prevails. Saguna Brahman is described by the Sankhya system of philosophy as consisting of twenty-five elements, including the time factor - past, present and future|Where nirguna Brahman is found, simple unalloyed goodness prevails. Saguna Brahman is described by the Sankhya system of philosophy as consisting of twenty-five elements, including the time factor - past, present and future.]]

=== Realizing the Supreme Person ===

The ultimate goal of studying the ''Vedas'' is to penetrate the blinding light of the impersonal Brahman to behold the Supreme Lord. As great devotees demonstrate, one must transcend mere material sound to realize the personal, transcendental features of ''Para-brahman''.

* [[Vaniquotes:The Isopanisad mantra is a simple prayer to the Lord to remove the brahmajyoti so that one can see His real face. This brahmajyoti effulgence is described in detail in several mantras of the Mundaka Upanisad|The Isopanisad mantra is a simple prayer to the Lord to remove the brahmajyoti so that one can see His real face. This brahmajyoti effulgence is described in detail in several mantras of the Mundaka Upanisad.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In his prayers, Lord Siva concentrated upon the personal features of Parabrahman, described in personal terms as snigdha-pravrd-ghana-syamam - SB 4.24.45|In his prayers, Lord Siva concentrated upon the personal features of Parabrahman, described in personal terms as snigdha-pravrd-ghana-syamam - SB 4.24.45.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:King Pariksit continued, "How then can Brahman, the Absolute Truth, be described by your words? I do not see how it is possible to understand transcendence from such expressions of material sound"|King Pariksit continued, "How then can Brahman, the Absolute Truth, be described by your words? I do not see how it is possible to understand transcendence from such expressions of material sound."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Brahma means Vedic literature. Sabda-brahman. The information, the description of God is also Brahman. Brahman is absolute. There is no difference between Brahman and the literature which is describing Brahman|Brahma means Vedic literature. Sabda-brahman. The information, the description of God is also Brahman. Brahman is absolute. There is no difference between Brahman and the literature which is describing Brahman.]]

=== Conclusion ===

In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that a complete understanding of Brahman requires submissive reception of the Vedic descriptions. The impersonal Brahman, highly sought after by empirical philosophers, is factually described as the unlimited, unfathomed ''brahmajyoti'' emanating from the transcendental body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, the ''Vedas'' expand the definition of Brahman to include the total material energy (''mahat-tattva''), which serves as the womb for the conditioned souls when impregnated by the Lord. Ultimately, the scriptures urge the sincere seeker to move beyond the blinding effulgence and material elements to focus on the personal features of ''Para-brahman'', Lord Kṛṣṇa. Because the Absolute Truth is absolute, the transcendental sound vibration of the Vedic literature (''śabda-brahman'') is non-different from the Lord Himself, allowing the devotee to directly associate with the Supreme Person through the act of hearing.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Describing_Brahman|Describing Brahman]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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