#IndianPhilosophy Concept of self Part 10

Hi Fellow Philosophers!

In previous post we discussed some basics of Atmavada and difference between Dvaita and Advaita Vedanta and also little bit about Brahman.

Now today we are going to discuss 'The nature of Brahman'.

The nature of Brahman ( Atman ) :-

    

         Atman is beyond description. It can be best expressed as ' नेति......नेति ' ( Neti....Neti) i.e. not this, not this. It can not be known through senses or an intellect. It is beyond qualities ( nirguna ).

         This single principle, called Atman or Brahman is nameless, formless, imperceptible and inexpressible. It is the unchanging silent witness ( sakshi ) of the world of change.

         The concept of atman is explained by Shankaracharya with the help of its ' Lakshana ' ( definition ). Lakshana means a unique characteristic possessed by a particular object and which is not possessed by any other objects. Lakshana is of two types -

1) Tatastha-lakshana : A characteristic that distinguishes ghe object from othe objects, but which is not the essential, permanent attribute of it is ' Tatastha-lakshana '.

2) Swaroopa-lakshana : This is an essential feature of the object.

Tatastha-lakshana of the atman :-

    ' ब्रह्मनः जगजन्मास्थित - लयकारणत्वम्। '

         Atman is the cause of creation, protection ( preservation ) and destruction of the world.   Brahman is that omniscient and omnipotent cause of the world, which undergoes three stages of creation maintenance and destruction.

Swaroopa-lakshana of Atman :-

         Staya, Jnyana and Anantatva are the three characteristics of Atman. Here ' Satya ' stands for absolute existence. ' Jnyana ' stands for self-luminous consciousness and ' Ananta ' stand for infinity.

Atman is sat-chit-ananda-swaroop :-

         Atman is ' Sat '. It is an eternal existence. ' Chit ' or consciousness is an essential characteristics of Atman. Without consciousness we cannot become aware of the movement, light and knowledge of the world. Mental activities like thinking, desiring etc. would be impossible without consciousness. ' Ananda ' or infinite bliss is an essential characteristics of Atman. Bliss is not dependent upon any external factor. It is not earthly ( laukik ) but it is natural ( swabhavik ) bliss. It is not produced out of the sense - object .

In post we will talk about other characteristics of Atman.

Thank you!