DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPREME REALITY IN VEDAS

Sher Agrawal

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Description of the Supreme Reality in Vedas

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Prem Sabhlok Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 5:18 PM
To: smanian@sancharnet.in, haranbr@gmail.com, agrasen@gmail.com, bgajjar@comcast.net, kalyan97@gmail.com, ravishankar_@yahoo.com, prgsatish@yahoo.com
The Supreme Reality as described in Vedas

In the Vedas the Universal God (Brahman) is formless, ineffable (nirguna) and Unmoved Mover. As Sankracharya says “ To describe Brahman even the words recoil.”
However, based on the Vedic metaphysics whatever description of God is given, it can at best be a glimpse of His omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence. He makes Himself felt whether as Adrsta - unseen cosmic power or the Supreme Reality as impersonal God. It is mainly because human senses and reason cannot analyze Him.



Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is “One”; wise men call Brahman by different names. The souls in all human beings are the subtle particles (ansh) of the same God.


Since the entire cosmos and universe both visible and invisible continues to expand and is described as Brahamand so the Vedic metaphysicists (rsis and munnies) found an appropriate epithet for the nameless God as Brahman. In the Rig Veda He is also mentioned as Vishnu- one who spread in Viswa. In Yajur and Atharva Vedas epithets for God are mentioned as Shiva, Shankar Brahma and Shambhu..

Upanishads describe Nirguna Brahma- the ineffable God as, “Whole is that, whole too is this and from the whole, whole cometh and take whole, yet whole remains."
A few Vedic hymns can be mentioned for proper understanding of Nirguna Brahma who is the Universal God. Rig Veda 6-15-13, 14 mentions that He is a pure illuminator, unifier, remover of all miseries, commands all to observe non-violence and other rules of righteousness, which are a-priori principles beyond any sense experiences. Rig-Veda 6-47-18 says that for each form, He is the Model. It is His Forms that are to be seen everywhere, in spiritual and material things.His spirit exists in all animate and inanimate life/things but is manifest in the human beings where God dwells in their hearts (Sama Veda 860). A similar description that He dwells in the human hearts is also there in Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bahgavatam. Rig Veda 1-9-5 and 6 mentions that God is the Lord of knowledge, infinite wisdom and material wealth. He pervades the matter and the whole space (A.V.19-20-2). All the four Vedas describe that He and His laws (Rta) are the same. Those who follow His laws and commandments can realise Him in one birth. He is unborn (ajo) and incarnation of God as a human being is not visualised (Y.V.34-53, 40-8 and A.V. 10-23-4). He lives within you and you live within Him as one of His tiny living cells.

Nevertheless, the highest concept of divine mercy is reached that HE permits His children all things to be said about Him even if you do not believe in Him. Thus, toleration is an important teaching of Vedic metaphysics. Vedic hymns clearly mention that He is at your disposal but on His terms and not your terms. He expects you not to disturb violently His Design of the earth and the universe.

Every thing belongs to Him, we use it only temporarily, whether it is food, air, water and He expects all of us not to over use these (Sama Veda 274). We should keep wealth and all material possessions only for our preservation lest we become exploiters by taking away some one else’s share. Sama Veda 274 clearly advises need-based living.
According to Rig Veda 10-90-13 to 17, the entire universe is His body. Sun and Moon are His eyes, Earth is His feet and Heaven is His head. Our eyes can see 1/4th of Brahamand (entire cosmos within and beyond visual range). He acts by the necessity of His nature. His decrees are eternal truths and with dedicated and transcendental research, all these truths can be found out for the welfare of self, society and mankind

Yajur Veda 40-5 tells us that He is within the entire universe and surrounds it externally. For those who want to realise Him, they have to follow the path of moderation, righteousness and cosmic laws of necessity (Rta), which are permanent truths and His Commandments. Kena Upanishad 2-5 mentions that God can be realised in one life. If you do not realise in one life, you are a great loser.

The most beautiful description of Brahma is given in the Vedantic School of Indian philosophy, based on Upanishads. There was neither being nor not being, neither vayu (air) nor akash (ether) which is beyond...neither death nor immortality existed, no distinction was yet between day and night, darkness was first concealed in darkness and all this was indiscriminate chaos. In that stage of shuniya (cosmic void), apart from that nothing was whatsoever. It was when desire as the perennial germ of the mind arose for the first time and the entire cosmos was born out of cosmic Golden Egg (Hiranya garbha). The One, which was covered by cosmic Void (shuniya), was manifested through the light of Tapas (spiritual fire) (R.V X-129-1 to 3).

Thus the One Lord of all that moves and that is fixed, of what walks, what flies became the Lord of all this multiform creation (R.V. III-54-8).

The cosmic Word OM becomes the raft of knowledge. According to Yajur Veda XL-17, this word OM is Brahma Itself. "OM Khamma Brahma"- OM Thy name is Brahma. Through this Word, He not only created Prakrti and Universe but also protects the same with the divine energy coming out of Shabad Brahma. This cosmic word OM is from the root Ava (to protect).

His all Forms are supreme in design and beauty. As He pervades every where and all material objects are His manifestations, so in this phenomenal world, we can see Him through many forms like the Sun, Moon, mountains, sea and even human beings etc., but He remains Formless. Thus His forms are His creative art Maya (R.V. VI-45-16, VI-47-18. S.V. 1710 and A.V. VI- 36-3). As God’s attributes are infinite being ineffable, the hymns at best only give glimpses of His attributes.

Those who believe in one formless and ineffable God, invariably follow the philosophy of Vedic Iddm Nan Mmam- nothing for self all for society.

The believers of One God are invariably transparent and follow the path of truth and non-violence in thought and action.

It is thus quite apparent for the entire mankind that movement is generally towards pluralism, animism, fanaticism, fundamentalism, gurudom, kingdom of priests and extreme materialism. It is for the mankind to decide to live without His divine guidance owing to the vehement effect of Maya- a huge cosmic saw with sharp teeth OR to pass through the gap between these teeth and seek the only One Supreme Realty and remain under His divine guidance by following His commandments and laws. All the main scriptures of major religions have confirmed based on transcendental research that He is pure love, merciful, benevolent and perfect knowledge. Knowing Him is bliss and not knowing Him is ignorance and misery.
For more details about Vedic God kindly read chapter 8 of “Glimpses of Vedic Metaphysics” for on line reading/taking print at no cost on Website
http://www.sabhlokcity.com/metaphysics. The book can also be accessed through google.com, yahoo.com and lulu.com. Kindly render divine social service and forward this e-mail to the seekers of Vedic knowledge.
With kind regard,
Prem Sabhlok


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