View source for The Absolute Truth is Known in Three Phases

The realization of the Absolute Truth is the highest goal of human existence, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that this Truth is not understood in a single, monolithic way. Just as the sun is perceived as sunshine, the sun globe, and the sun god, the one non-dual Absolute Truth is known through three progressive phases. By following the authorized process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, a seeker can move beyond partial understandings to reach the ultimate conclusion of spiritual life.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== Progressive Vision of the Non-Dual Truth ===

The Absolute Truth is one substance without any duality, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is known in three different phases according to the distance and angle of the observer's vision. To some, it appears as the impersonal Brahman effulgence; to others, as the localized Paramātmā; and to the most advanced, as Bhagavān. These are not three different gods, but three ways of perceiving the same unified identity. A person who understands this correctly is called a ''tattvavit'', because they have grasped the complete science of the Supreme and their own relationship with Him.

* [[Vaniquotes:The Absolute Truth is known by the self-realized souls as a unified identity known by different names - impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma, and Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead|The Absolute Truth is known by the self-realized souls as a unified identity known by different names - impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma, and Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He is without any duality, but the Absolute Truth is known as in three features: by somebody as Brahman, by somebody as Paramatma and somebody as Bhagavan. - Actually, He is Bhagavan. Paramatma is His universal feature|He is without any duality, but the Absolute Truth is known as in three features: by somebody as Brahman, by somebody as Paramatma and somebody as Bhagavan. - Actually, He is Bhagavan. Paramatma is His universal feature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to Srimad-Bhagavatam, one who knows the Absolute Truth in three different features - namely Brahman, Paramatma, and the SPG - is called tattvavit, for he knows also his own factual position in relationship with the Supreme. BG 1972 purports|According to Srimad-Bhagavatam, one who knows the Absolute Truth in three different features - namely Brahman, Paramatma, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead - is called tattvavit, for he knows also his own factual position in relationship with the Supreme.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.2.11): Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan|As confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.2.11): Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.]]

=== The Limitation of Speculative Approaches ===

Many philosophers attempt to find the Truth using the strength of their own "teeny brains" through a process of physical study or mental speculation known as ''sāṅkhya'' or ''jñāna-śāstra''. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that such speculators often remain attached to the impersonal Brahman, obtaining only a vague and incomplete idea of the Truth. Because their vision is limited, they cannot see the personal activities of the Lord. To truly know the Absolute Truth, one must go beyond these speculative methods and find a ''tattva-darśī'', or a person who has actually seen and understood the Truth in its entirety.

* [[Vaniquotes:Absolute Truth is known in three different phases. - What is that? "Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan." If we really seeking knowledge, then we have to find out a person who is tattva-darsi, who has understood the Absolute Truth|Absolute Truth is known in three different phases. - What is that? "Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan." If we really seeking knowledge, then we have to find out a person who is tattva-darsi, who has understood the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When one wants to know the Absolute Truth by one's tiny brain and thinks, "I shall conduct research to find the Absolute Truth," one will have a vague, impersonal idea|When one wants to know the Absolute Truth by one's tiny brain and thinks, "I shall conduct research to find the Absolute Truth," one will have a vague, impersonal idea.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sankhya means physical study of the cosmic situation through speculative knowledge. This is generally known as jnana-sastra. The Sankhyites are attached to the impersonal Brahman, but the Absolute Truth is known in three ways|Sankhya means physical study of the cosmic situation through speculative knowledge. This is generally known as jnana-sastra. The Sankhyites are attached to the impersonal Brahman, but the Absolute Truth is known in three ways.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Absolute Truth is known sometimes as Brahman, sometimes as Paramatma and sometimes as Bhagavan. Persons who are in knowledge of the truth know that one who tries to approach the Absolute simply by mental speculation will ultimately realize Brahman|The Absolute Truth is known sometimes as Brahman, sometimes as Paramatma and sometimes as Bhagavan. Persons who are in knowledge of the truth know that one who tries to approach the Absolute simply by mental speculation will ultimately realize Brahman.]]

=== Kṛṣṇa: The Ultimate Source of All Phases ===

While the Absolute Truth can be known in various aspects, Kṛṣṇa proclaims that the most complete understanding is realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the impersonal Brahman is merely Kṛṣṇa's bodily effulgence, and Paramātmā is His localized universal feature. Therefore, by concentrating one's mind specifically on Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth becomes known in full. All questions asked by the sages in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' are considered perfect because they pertain to Kṛṣṇa, who is the last word in the understanding of the Absolute.

* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna proclaims that the Absolute Truth is known in three aspects - Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan - impersonal Brahman effulgence, localized Supersoul, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead|Krsna proclaims that the Absolute Truth is known in three aspects - Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan - impersonal Brahman effulgence, localized Supersoul, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:By concentrating one's mind upon Krsna, one is able to know the Absolute Truth completely, but not otherwise. BG 1972 purports|By concentrating one's mind upon Krsna, one is able to know the Absolute Truth completely, but not otherwise.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since it has been stated hereinbefore that in the Bhagavatam the Absolute Truth is to be known, the questions of the sages of Naimisaranya are proper and just, because they pertain to Krsna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth|Since it has been stated hereinbefore that in the Bhagavatam the Absolute Truth is to be known, the questions of the sages of Naimisaranya are proper and just, because they pertain to Krsna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Absolute Truth is known sometimes as Brahman, sometimes as Paramatma and sometimes as Bhagavan. One who has complete knowledge and spiritual understanding realizes the spiritual form of Bhagavan, the Personality of Godhead|The Absolute Truth is known sometimes as Brahman, sometimes as Paramatma and sometimes as Bhagavan. One who has complete knowledge and spiritual understanding realizes the spiritual form of Bhagavan, the Personality of Godhead.]]

=== The Importance of Scriptural Authority ===

To know the Absolute Truth in its three phases, one must refer to the authorized Vedic literature. Śrīla Prabhupāda directs seekers to the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' as the right books for this inquiry. These scriptures explain the non-dual substance that is known by self-realized souls as Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. Without these references, leaders and individuals remain on a material footing, unable to establish themselves on the transcendental personal feature of the Truth, known as Viṣṇu.

* [[Vaniquotes:So Bhagavad-gita is the right book to understand about that brahma, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or the Absolute Truth, whatever you call. The Absolute Truth is known in three phases: Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan|So Bhagavad-gita is the right book to understand about that brahma, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or the Absolute Truth, whatever you call. The Absolute Truth is known in three phases: Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Srimad-Bhagavatam explains that the Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan. In addition, the living entity, individual soul, is also called Brahman. BG 1972 purports|The Srimad-Bhagavatam explains that the Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan. In addition, the living entity, individual soul, is also called Brahman.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Those who are in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, they say: "Absolute Truth, that thing which is nondual." Nondual. "And that Absolute Truth is known in three phases." What is that? Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan|Those who are in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, they say: "Absolute Truth, that thing which is nondual." Nondual. "And that Absolute Truth is known in three phases." What is that? Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is necessary that leaders like Gandhi establish themselves on the transcendental footing of the personal feature of the Absolute Truth, known as Visnu or the all-pervading Godhead|It is necessary that leaders like Gandhi establish themselves on the transcendental footing of the personal feature of the Absolute Truth, known as Visnu or the all-pervading Godhead.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The ultimate purpose of seeking knowledge is to dispel ignorance and understand the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that if we know the Absolute Truth in its three phases, all other things automatically become known. Without this realization, the living entity remains in darkness. Therefore, we must move beyond vague, impersonal ideas and follow the proclamations of Kṛṣṇa and the ''Vedas''. By understanding Brahman, Paramātmā, and especially Bhagavān, we gain a perfect perspective of the Supreme and our eternal position as His servants.

=== 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:Absolute Truth Is Known|Absolute Truth Is Known]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Understanding What Is Knowledge]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - The Science of Knowing God]]

<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>