Akshar Brahman vs Bhagavān: Understanding the Absolute Reality
Akshar Brahman vs Bhagavān: Understanding the Absolute Reality
Understanding the concepts of Akshar Brahman and Bhagavān can provide a deeper insight into the complex and profound nature of the Absolute Reality. These two terms, while sharing similarities, represent different aspects of the spiritual realm. Let's explore the distinctions and their significance in understanding the essence of the Supreme Being.
Defining Akshar Brahman
Akshar Brahman, often translated as the Unmanifested or Formless, is the all-pervading power that underlies and illuminates the vast universe. It is described as eternal sweetness, eternal light, and the universal upholder of all existence. This formless power, also known as Kshara-Virat or Apara Prakriti, is an ever-living force in action, characterized by its purity, eternity, and the maintenance of the cosmic web. It is Nirguna and Nirakara, signifying its attribute-less and formless nature. The Infinite Power in action is referred to as Nirguna Nirakara Ishwara, which holds the universal web of life (Maya).
Characteristics of Akshar Brahman
It is ever-pervading and impersonal. It is attribute-less and formless (Nirguna and Nirakara). It is immortal, imperishable, and eternal. It is the basis of the impersonal Brahman, as mentioned in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 14, Verse 27. It is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness.Introducing Bhagavān
Bhagavān, on the other hand, refers to the Supreme Lord in a personal form. Bhagavān is the manifestation of Akshar Brahman, possessing all six divine glories (Shad Bhagas): Dharma, Shri, Vijaya, Jnana, Vijnana, and Vairagya Aastikya. These attributes denote righteousness, beauty, victory, knowledge, wisdom, and non-attachment, respectively. Bhagavān is depicted with two arms, like all human beings, emphasizing the personal and relatable nature of the Supreme Being.
The Relationship between Akshar Brahman and Bhagavān
The relationship between Akshar Brahman and Bhagavān can be best understood by comparing the sun and its rays. The sun rays (representing Akshar Brahman) are a partial manifestation of the sun (representing Bhagavān). Just as one must experience the full glory of the sun to understand its true essence, one must understand the personal form of Bhagavān to grasp the totality of Akshar Brahman. Bhagavān is the complete, personal form of the Supreme Lord, while Akshar Brahman is the underlying, impersonal aspect.
Further Reading and Sources
The Bhagavad Gita, particularly Chapter 14, Verse 27, highlights the aspect of Akshar Brahman as the basis of the impersonal Brahman that is immortal, imperishable, and eternal. Similarly, Srimad Bhagvat Puran 1.2.11 offers a profound commentary:
“Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma, or Bhagavan.”
According to Srila Prabhupada, an acharya in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Brahma Sampraday, the Absolute Truth is both subject and object and is one and the same. The Absolute Truth is realized as impersonal Brahman by students of the Upanishads, as Paramatma (Supreme Soul) by Hiranyagarbhas (cosmic manifestation), and as Bhagavan (Supreme Lord) by devotees.
In the first sloka of the First Chapter of the Bhagavatam, it is explained that the Supreme Truth is self-sufficient, cognizant, and free from the illusion of relativity. In the relative world, the knower is different from the known, but in the Absolute Truth, both the knower and the known are one and the same. The Absolute Truth is the source of both inferior and superior energies, but in the relative world, there is a sense of difference, leading to illusion. In the Absolute realm, this sense of difference is non-existent, making everything absolute.
Conclusion
The distinction between Akshar Brahman and Bhagavān enriches our understanding of the Absolute Reality. While Akshar Brahman represents the impersonal, formless aspect, Bhagavān denotes the personal, manifest form. Both aspects are integral to the understanding of the Supreme Being and offer a comprehensive perspective on the nature of existence and knowledge.