The Transcendental Qualities of God
God is often misunderstood as being formless or without attributes. However, the Vedic conclusion is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is full of unlimited, transcendental qualities. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while God is transcendental to the modes of material nature, He is the reservoir of all spiritual attributes. Understanding the nature of God's qualities—and how the living entities share in them—is essential for self-realization.
Saguna and Nirguna: With and Without Qualities
The scriptures use two apparently contradictory terms to describe God: saguṇa (with qualities) and nirguṇa (without qualities). Śrīla Prabhupāda reconciles this by explaining that God has no material qualities (nirguṇa) but is full of spiritual qualities (saguṇa). He is never under the control of material energy; rather, material nature works under His direction.
- The material energy works according to His (God's) direction; therefore He can use that energy for His purposes without ever being influenced by any of the qualities of that energy. In this sense He is nirguna, "without qualities."
- Two words the revealed scriptures often apply to the Lord - saguna ("with qualities") and nirguna ("without qualities") - are very important.
- This is confirmed in the Padma Purana that whenever the Supreme Lord is described as having no qualities, this should be understood to indicate that He is devoid of material qualities.
- Guna means quality, and nir means negation.This does not indicate, however, that He (Lord Visnu) has no qualities; He has transcendental qualities by which He appears and manifests His pastimes.
- The word saguna does not imply that when the Lord appears with perceivable qualities He must take on a material form and be subject to the laws of material nature.
Qualitative Oneness, Quantitative Difference
A fundamental principle of the philosophy of acintya-bhedābheda-tattva is that the soul and God are qualitatively one but quantitatively different. Śrīla Prabhupāda often uses the analogy of a drop of seawater and the vast ocean. The chemical composition is the same, but the magnitude is vastly different. We possess qualities like independence and creativity, but only in minute degrees compared to the Lord.
- A drop of seawater is as good as the seawater in quality - the whole seawater is also salty, the drop of seawater is also salty - similarly, we have got all the chemical composition, or qualities, of God.
- The living entities have the same qualities as the Lord, just as a drop of sea water is composed of the same chemicals as the great sea itself. Thus there is oneness in quality but a difference in quantity.
- Because we are part and parcel of God, we have got all the qualities of God. But because we are minute part and particle of God, therefore all the qualities of God are there in minute particle.
- God, Krsna, is all-powerful, all-beautiful, all-knowledgeable, and complete in everything, and although I may not be complete, I am part and parcel of God, and therefore I have all the qualities of God to a partial extent.
- We should always remember that although we are equal to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in quality, we are never equal to Him in quantity.
The Absolute Nature of God
In the material world, there is a difference between a person and their name or qualities. However, in the absolute platform, God is identical with His name, form, qualities, and pastimes. Chanting the name of the Lord or hearing about His qualities is non-different from associating with Him directly.
- God being absolute, His name, His form, His quality, His entourage, they are all the same, as good as God.
- By our material calculation we see a difference between the name and the substance, but in the spiritual world the Absolute is always absolute.
- In the absolute world, the name Krsna is the transcendental sound representation of the Lord. There is no potential difference between His quality, name, form, etc.
- The Lord's names are considered in exactly the same way; since the Lord is absolute, His name, His form, His pastimes, His paraphernalia and His quality all have the same potency.
- The Personality of Godhead and His holy name, qualities, etc., are all identical.
Beyond Material Perception
The qualities of God are not perceivable by the blunt material senses. One cannot see God or understand His nature through mental speculation or mechanical means. However, when the senses are purified through the process of devotional service (sevonmukhe hi jihvādau), the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee.
- Actually it is a fact that the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be perceived by material senses as far as His form, name, quality, pastimes or paraphernalia are concerned.
- Because the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His name, His form, His quality, His paraphernalia, etc., being transcendental, are beyond material nature, it is not possible to understand any one of them with the materialistic senses.
- God's name, God's form, God's quality, God's pastimes, activities, are not understandable by our blunt material senses. We cannot see God with these eyes. God is present everywhere. God is present within your heart, God is present within this universe.
- One cannot understand God's holy name, pastimes, form, qualities or entourage with one's blunt material senses. However, when the senses are purified by the constant rendering of service, the spiritual truth of the pastimes of Radha and Krsna is revealed.
- With one’s materially contaminated senses one cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His name, form, qualities or paraphernalia, but if one renders service unto Him, the Lord reveals Himself - Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.234.
The Source of All Qualities
Just as a son inherits the qualities of his father, the living entity inherits qualities from the Supreme Father. Whatever attributes we see in the living beings—intelligence, creativity, independence—exist originally and unlimitedly in God. We are the reflection; He is the source.
- Father is the cause of the sons, but the sons may be different. Not exactly all the sons are on the equal pattern. Similarly, we are originally all part and parcel or sons of God. Therefore God's qualities are there in us, very minute quantities.
- Because you are son of God - God has got full independence, almighty - therefore you have acquired the quality of your father. You have got little independence. So God does not interfere with your little independence.
- Living entities, as parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, have inherited different proportions of His original qualities, and in terms of their inheritance of these qualities, they appear as different species of life.
- Because we are sample God, therefore we have got God's qualities in minute quantity. Very minute quantity. We have got creative power also.
- The part and parcel of the Supreme, they fall down - some of them - not all. So therefore the living entities, they are different from the Supreme. They are one in quality with the Supreme, but not in quantity .
Purification Through Hearing and Chanting
Hearing about the qualities of God is a powerful method of spiritual purification. Because the Lord is non-different from His qualities, hearing about them acts as direct association. This association cleanses the heart of material contamination and awakens one's dormant love for God.
- Hearing and chanting of the qualities or form or name of the Supreme, of the Absolute, means our association with God. Association. Direct association, in transcendental quality.
- If there is an arrangement for the constant chanting of the holy names, qualities, etc., of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no chance at all for the personality of Kali to enter.
- A pure devotee who has been trained in the practice of chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord and His fame, qualities, form... is never interested in elevation to the heavenly planets.
- The process of devotional service entails hearing, chanting and remembering the holy name, form, pastimes, qualities and entourage of the Lord, offering service according to the time, place and performer, worshiping the Deity, offering prayers.
- When the chanting of the holy name, form, qualities and paraphernalia is heard from the mouth of a pure devotee, his hearing and chanting are very pleasing. Sanatana Gosvami has forbidden us to hear the chanting of an artificial devotee or nondevotee.
Conclusion
God is the possessor of all unlimited, transcendental qualities. While He is free from material contamination (nirguṇa), He is full of spiritual attributes (saguṇa). As parts and parcels of God, we share in His nature but are quantitatively small. The path of self-realization involves purifying our consciousness by hearing and chanting about His divine qualities, thereby reviving our original spiritual nature and eternal relationship with Him.
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 God's Qualities. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.