Saguna brahman: Difference between revisions
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==VisishtAdvaita & Dvaita== |
==VisishtAdvaita & Dvaita== |
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Saguna Brahman of [[VisishtAdvaita]] & [[Dvaita]] systems mean [[Brahman]] with infinite attributes, including form. Saguna Brahman is immortal, imperishable, eternal, and thus the basis of the impersonal Nirguna Brahman. The personal form indicated is generally [[Narayana]], or [[Krishna]], or [[Vishnu]]. Practically all schools of [[Vaishnavism]] and [[Krishnaism]] adhere to this viewpoint. Goddess [[Shakti]] (or Durga, Kali, etc.) is seen as the Saguna Brahman in [[Shaktism]]. [[Shiva]] is the Saguna Brahman of [[Shaivism]]. |
Saguna Brahman of [[VisishtAdvaita]] & [[Dvaita]] systems mean [[Brahman]] with infinite attributes, including form. Saguna Brahman is immortal, imperishable, eternal, and thus the basis of the impersonal Nirguna Brahman. The personal form indicated is generally [[Narayana]], or [[Krishna]], or [[Vishnu]]. Practically all schools of [[Vaishnavism]] and [[Krishnaism]] adhere to this viewpoint. Goddess [[Shakti]] (or [[Durga]], [[Kali]], [[Gayatri]] etc.) is seen as the Saguna Brahman in [[Shaktism]]. [[Shiva]] is the Saguna Brahman of [[Shaivism]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 08:17, 19 September 2008
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Saguna Brahman (lit. "qualified absolute"[1]) came from the Sanskrit saguṇa (सगुण) "with qualities" and brahman (ब्रह्मन्) "the Absolute."
Advaita
According to Advaitic philosophy it is just the mind of the devotee that gives form and attributes to the otherwise pure and unqualifiable Absolute. While Nirguna Brahman ("the Absolute without qualities") refers to the holistic potency that animates the universe Saguna Brahman commonly refers to any of Its deitical manifestations such as Vishnu, Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Ganesh, Durga, Lakshmi, any other personal god or goddess, i.e., God with personal form, versus the attributeless Nirguna Brahman, and even one's spiritual preceptor or Satguru.[2]
The Hindu saint, Ramakrishna analogized God with form and without form as being like ice and liquid water, as being both the same but in different states.[3]
VisishtAdvaita & Dvaita
Saguna Brahman of VisishtAdvaita & Dvaita systems mean Brahman with infinite attributes, including form. Saguna Brahman is immortal, imperishable, eternal, and thus the basis of the impersonal Nirguna Brahman. The personal form indicated is generally Narayana, or Krishna, or Vishnu. Practically all schools of Vaishnavism and Krishnaism adhere to this viewpoint. Goddess Shakti (or Durga, Kali, Gayatri etc.) is seen as the Saguna Brahman in Shaktism. Shiva is the Saguna Brahman of Shaivism.
References
- ^ The Shambala Encyclopedia of Yoga (p. 247), by Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., ISBN 1-57062-137-3
- ^ Meditation and Mantras, by Swami Vishnu-Devananda (p. 61-75), ISBN 81-208-1615-3
- ^ Words of Sri Ramakrishna
See also
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