Trying to understand the almighty?
Jaydeep Parmar
Linkedin Top Voice | Chief Manager- Strategic Initiatives at MCPI Private Limited | Angel Investor | Train The Trainer certified | 3.5 lacs+ content impressions | Ex-Exide | Ex-HPCL | Ex-IOCL | IIM Calcutta | ICT Mumbai
Who is God?
Who can be called God? Is there any difference between God and an ordinary living being? What is the authenticity of an argument?
The Concept of God in Bharat
If you visit the nook and corner of the great country Bharat, you will hear the word Bhagvan when people talk about their god. Especially in Hinduism, you will find the mention of this word extensively. But if you ask people who is God, some will say nature, some will say creator of this world, some will say the one who helps when we plead to him. Some will consider Lord Vishnu as Bhagvan. Some will consider Lord Shiva as Bhagvan. Some will consider Lord Hanuman as Bhagvan. But the debate is never-ending. As we live in the 21st century, most people, with the advent of computers and technology, have realized the importance of data. Though people talk about data-backed proof or history, they rarely check for the authenticity of the data.
Authenticity and Scope of Vedic Data
For human history and spirituality, it is quite difficult to look for authentic data and certify it as a common reference. However, Sanatan (meaning Eternal) Dharma has a peculiarity in terms of its depth and breadth of data, ranging from Medicine (Ayurveda), the Study of the Universe and planets (Astronomy), the Effect of planets on individuals or countries (Astrology), Law and Order (Nyayashastra), to Philosophy and spirituality (with different beliefs and desires). All the words used in scriptures have meaning, unlike these days when people keep names of children or pets randomly. In the Vedic system, people were given names based on their qualities. Great warriors and personalities even used to have multiple names like Lord Krishna, who has thousands of names (e.g. Jagannath, Gopal, Mukund, Hari, Murari, Jagdish, Nandkumar, Yashodanandan, Shyam, and many more). Hinduism (in reality Sanatan Dharma since the Hindu word is originally not present in Vedic scripture to refer to Bharat) is like an infinite ocean of knowledge and wisdom.
Understanding the Concept of Bhagvan
To understand the concept of God, firstly we need to look for authentic data on what is the meaning of Bhagvan (as per Vedic study). The great sage Parashar Muni (who was part of Mahabharata around 5000 years ago) explains the meaning of the word Bhagvan. He mentions that Bhagvan is one who possesses six different opulences in full and with infinite capability. In this world, people get attracted to a person who is quite beautiful. Maybe to a person who is quite powerful (like the winner of a wrestling tournament). Maybe someone who is quite rich and wealthy (like a business person). Maybe someone who is quite famous (like a celebrity). Maybe someone who is quite knowledgeable (like scientists). And maybe someone who is quite renounced (like saintly people). It is easy to understand that someone who possesses either of these qualities is regarded as a superhuman or someone extraordinary. But, wait. Bhagvan is one who possesses all these qualities simultaneously and with full capacity/capability. So, who is the supreme god or Bhagvan?
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita's Perspective
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, which is a conclusion of the Vedic Scriptures, helps us to understand this concept. Shri Krishna is the only God who claims himself to be the supreme personality of godhead in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. He reveals his identity (though he is inconceivable through mundane efforts). In Bhagavad Gita 10.12 and 10.20, even Arjuna, who is a friend and disciple of Lord Krishna (during Bhagavad Gita was spoken), declares Lord Krishna to be the greatest and supreme Lord. He actually addresses him as Bhagvan at multiple instances. Lord Krishna chose Arjuna to reveal this truth since mundane speculators may argue that anyone can claim to be the supreme god. But Lord Krishna actually shows Virat Rupa (wherein Arjuna could see all universes coming from and going into the mouth of Lord Krishna), depicting his supremacy. He even did some extraordinary childhood pastimes like lifting Govardhan Mountain on the tiny little finger of his left hand. He showed all universes in his mouth to mother Yashoda while pretending to eat dirt (from soil). He killed demons when he was not even one year old. However, he does not boast himself to be God, especially in front of his family, friends, and close relatives in Vrindavan.
Difference Between God and Us
What is the difference between God and us? Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, as it is written by Shrila Prabhupada (Founder Acharya of ISKCON, International Society of Krishna Consciousness), did a rigorous study of all important and relevant scriptures to write the purports on Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (and many other scriptures). He was a Sanskrit scholar and quite knowledgeable in spiritual science. Through his interpretation coinciding with the will and purpose mentioned by Krishna and his exalted devotees, he won the hearts of thousands of Americans during the 1970s. He actually opened the door of Vedic spirituality and Krishna Bhakti to all foreigners even though the followers were quite sinful and lost in the hippy movement. The real spiritual transformation of the heart is irrespective of caste, creed, nationality, or even gender. The Lord has given an equal opportunity to all who are genuinely looking for him and ready to work according to his desire.
Shri Ishopanishad's Concept of God
Shri Ishopanishad, one of 108 Upanishads given by Shri Vedvyasa (who wrote all the scriptures around 5000 years ago), mentions the concept of God in the opening verse. You may be wondering who Vedvyasa was. He was a disciple of Narada Muni (servant of Lord Narayan) and a highly elevated saint. Before Vedvyasa wrote all scriptures, the Vedic knowledge was propagated in the form of verbal transmission of timeless wisdom. Humans before 5000 years ago were so advanced in memory and spiritual practice that they did not need to write and revise their studies. However, for the people of Kaliyuga (the current time), where people are sinful and less intelligent to understand the highest philosophy through knowledge, Vedvyasa composed all scriptures like Mahabharata, Puranas, Upanishads, etc.
Shri Ishopanishad Invocation Verse
Shri Ishopanishad's invocation verse is as follows:
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ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ
pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate
pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya
pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate
The verse looks quite difficult to understand since it uses the word "purna," which means "complete," multiple times. But to get the gist of the verse, we can utilize the following mathematical equation:
∞-∞=∞
It is quite astonishing that Lord Krishna is actually infinite in his form, strength, glories, in all aspects. Lord Krishna is complete, and the irony is that when complete universes (having all the needful resources to sustain all living entities) emanate from him, Lord Krishna still remains complete. In fact, Lord Krishna can expand in many forms, having the same potency in original and expansions. Hence, he is the supreme god. If you compare a human being with him, the comparison is like an ocean with a drop of an ocean. We are limited, but God is infinite. We, as a part and parcel of the Lord (in our original atma form), are like gold particles. As the whole gold is big and a gold particle is small, similarly, all living entities are qualitatively the same as the Lord but quantitatively too small compared to him.
Spirit Soul and Krishna Bhakti
As mentioned in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, we are spirit souls which have three qualities: Sat, Chit, and Anand. Sat means Eternal, Chit means Full of Knowledge, and Anand means Full of Pleasure. The spirit soul in a liberated state is actually a servant of the Lord Krishna (even in a conditional stage having a body we are servants of the servant (demigod) of the Supreme God). It is a lengthy and never-ending topic. However, the one who tries to understand the supreme lord can actually get direction by the planning of God. The ultimate aim of the highest level of spirituality is to understand God, ourselves, and our relationship with him. In a nutshell, if we surrender unto Lord Shri Krishna (Bhagavad Gita 18.66), he can take complete responsibility for us directly and indirectly. In fact, he can nullify all our past sins and can award us the best thing in life, Krishna Bhakti.
Stay tuned for more such articles. We will try to understand more such aspects of life.
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