Sunday, February 17, 2008

Brahman

Brahman, in the scriptures of India, is the infinite, eternal Self underlying all things. It is all that exists and does not exist. The idea of Brahman is at the core of Hinduism, though it is often a hidden core. It is the hidden monism or monotheism underlying Hindu polytheism; however, it would be imprecise to equate the term Brahman with 'God'. In the Taittariya Upanishad Brahman is described as "the nature of truth, knowledge and infinity". Since it is eternal and infinite, it comprises the only truth. The goal of Hinduism, through yoga, is to realize that the soul (Atman) is actually nothing but Brahman.

Brahman cannot be conceptualised, but it is referred to in various great sayings
that form the true basis of Hinduism:

"Brahman is knowledge"
"The Self (or the Soul) is Brahman "
"I am Brahman"
"Thou art that"
"All this that we see in the world is Brahman",
"Brahman is existence, consciousness, and bliss".

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