Para Brahman

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Para Brahman (Sanskrit:परब्रह्मन्) (IAST: Para Brahman) is the "Highest Brahman" that which is beyond all descriptions and conceptualisations. It is described in Hindu texts as the formless (in the sense that it is devoid of Maya) spirit (soul) that eternally pervades everything, everywhere in the universe and whatever is beyond.[1]

Hindus conceptualize the Para Brahman in diverse ways. In the Advaita Vedanta tradition, Nirguna Brahman (Brahman without attributes) is Para Brahman. In Dvaita and Vishistadvaita Vedanta traditions, Saguna Brahman (Brahman with qualities) is Para Brahman. In Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism, Adi Narayana, Parama Shiva and Adi Shakti respectively are Para Brahman.[2]



Brahman connotes the Highest Universal Principle in Hinduism, the Ultimate Reality in the universe.[4][5] In major schools of Hindu philosophy it is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists.[5][6][7] Brahman is a key concept found in Vedas, and extensively discussed in the early Upanishads.[8]

Para Brahman means the "Highest Brahman". It is found in early Advaita Vedanta literature.[9]

Advaita Vedanta - Nirguna Brahman[edit]

Nirguna Brahman (Devanagari निर्गुण ब्रह्मन्, Nirguṇa Brahman), Brahman without form or qualities,[10] is Para Brahman, the highest Brahman. According to Adi Shankara, Nirguna Brahman is Para Brahman,[11][12] and is a state of complete knowledge of self as being identical with the transcendental Brahman, a state of mental-spiritual enlightenment (Jnana yoga).[13] It contrasts with Saguna Brahman which is a state of loving awareness (Bhakti yoga).[13] Advaita Vedanta non-dualistically holds that Brahman is divine, the Divine is Brahman, and this is identical to that which is Atman (one's soul, innermost self) and nirguna (attribute-less), infinite, love, truth, knowledge, "being-consciousness-bliss".[14]

According to Eliot Deutsch, Nirguna Brahman is a "state of being"[15] in which all dualistic distinctions between one's own soul and Brahman are obliterated and are overcome.[13] In contrast, Saguna Brahman is where the distinctions are harmonized after duality between one's own soul and Brahman has been accepted.[13]

Advaita describes the features of a nondualistic experience,[13] in which a subjective experience also becomes an "object" of knowledge and a phenomenal reality. The Absolute Truth is both subject and object, so there is no qualitative difference:

  • "Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān." (Bhagavata Purana 1.2.11)[16][note 1]



In Vaishnavism, Vishnu or Krishna (among other incarnations of Vishnu) is considered as Para Brahman.Vishnu in his Mahavishnu form is considered to be the supreme. According to Bhagavat Purana,when Arjuna asked the true reality about Krishna,he revealed his Mahavishnu form showing that he is the supreme form of souls, demons, deities and qualities, namely, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.


In Shaivism, Shiva is Para Brahman. Parashiva, the supreme form of Lord Shiva, is considered to be the Para Brahman. According to mythology, Parashiva is the single incarnation of all souls and deities. He is also depicted as the only Adipurusha or Mahadeva.


In Shaktism, Devi Mahakali, Devi Tripura Sundari is the supreme form of Devi Adi parashakti, is considered to be the Para Brahman or energy of the Brahman, ultimate reality, inseparably. According to Devi Suktam and Sri Suktam in Rigveda she is the womb of all creation. Thus Mahalakshmi is epithets is Brahmamayi, meaning "She Whose Essence is Brahman". Parvati As Lalita Tripura Sundari Her eternal abode is called Manidvipa.


Parbrahm is regarded as the supreme reality in Sikhism. It is also known as "Akaal purakh" (immortal being) and is also known by mantra "Waheguru" .

Sikh scripture and the last sikh guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib refers to Parbrahm with a variety of adjectives and nouns , such as Nirankar, Niranjan, Bhagat Vachhal , Kirpal , Dayal, Deen Dayal , Madho, Raam, Hari, Allah, Rahim, Karim, Rehman, Parvardigar, Sahib, Malik , etc.....

See also[edit]


  3. ^ raso vai sa, rasam hy evayam labdhvanandi bhavati


  2. ^ White 1970, p. 156.
  10. ^ Sullivan 2001, p. 148.
  11. ^ Fisher 2012, p. 116.
  12. ^ Malkovsky 1997, p. 541.
  13. ^ a b c d e Deutsch 1973, p. 13.
  14. ^ Deutsch 1973, pp. 9-14.
  15. ^ Deutsch 1973, p. 12.
  16. ^ A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. "Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.2.11".



External links[edit]