Describing the Absolute Truth - The Three Features
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that understanding the Absolute Truth requires progressing through different stages of realization. Ultimately, the Supreme is realized not merely as an impersonal energy, but as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full of transcendental qualities.
The Three Features of the Absolute
The Vedic literatures conclusively describe the Absolute Truth in three progressive features: Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. Realizing only the impersonal Brahman or the localized Supersoul remains an incomplete understanding until one realizes the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam the Absolute Truth is described as the one without a second, but He is realized in three features - impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Lord Caitanya quotes the verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.11: Those who are knowers of the Absolute Truth describe the Absolute Truth in three features as impersonal Brahman, localized all-pervading Supersoul, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.
- The Absolute Truth (satya-vastu) is described as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. Knowledge of impersonal Brahman and the Supersoul is imperfect until one comes to the platform of knowing the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- One can realize all three transcendental features of the Absolute Truth (Bhagavan; Paramatma; and Brahman) simply by studying the condition of the gopis in their meeting with Uddhava, as described in Srimad-Bhagavatam.
The Personal Conclusion of the Vedas
While the Upaniṣads often emphasize the impersonal aspect to detach the mind from matter, the ultimate conclusion of all Vedic mantras is personal. The Absolute Truth is the Supreme Person, possessing an eternal, transcendental form.
- Generally, in the Upanisads the Supreme Absolute Truth is described in an impersonal way, but the personal aspect of the Absolute Truth is mentioned in the Isopanisad, where we find the following verse - Caitanya-Caritamrta Introduction.
- The Personality of Godhead is described in the Bhagavad-gita as the most pure, the Supreme and the Absolute Truth.
- The purpose of King Pariksit's inquiry was to ascertain from Sukadeva Gosvami whether the Vedas ultimately describe the Absolute Truth as impersonal or as personal.
- Whatever Vedic mantras describe the Absolute Truth impersonally only prove in the end that the Absolute Truth is a person.
Receiving Knowledge from Authorities
To properly understand and describe the Absolute Truth, one must bypass speculative interpretations and receive knowledge directly from authorized scriptures and pure devotees. Only through submissive hearing can one grasp the profound categories of transcendence.
- First of all we must receive the information from authorities; then we can speak the truth. One first has to learn how to describe the Absolute Truth, Bhagavan - His actions, His mercy and His compassion upon all living beings.
- The Absolute Truth is described in the Upanisads and Brahma-sutra, but one must understand the verses as they are. That is the supreme glory in understanding.
- The Personality of Godhead, Kapila, continued: My dear mother, now I shall describe unto you the different categories of the Absolute Truth, knowing which any person can be released from the influence of the modes of material nature.
- In the Vedic literature there are various divisions: one is called the karma-kanda, which describes purely ritualistic activities, and another is the jnana-kanda, which describes speculation on the Supreme Absolute Truth.
Beyond Speculation and Material Qualities
The Supreme Lord is nirguṇa, completely free from material qualities. Therefore, the Absolute Truth is entirely beyond the scope of imperfect mental speculation and the expressive power of the material mind and speech.
- No one can properly describe the transcendental nature of the Absolute Truth. Therefore it is said that He is beyond the expression of mind and speech.
- There are some men, with a poor fund of knowledge, who desire to understand the Absolute Truth by imperfect mental speculation and faulty description of His activities.
- Vaisnava philosophers say that the Absolute Truth God is described as nirguna because He has no material qualities. This is not to say that He has no spiritual qualities.
- Srila Vyasadeva described the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as fully independent and transcendental. This implies that there is no one superior to Him or equal to Him.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda conclusively establishes that the Absolute Truth is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond the limits of mental speculation and material expression. While the Vedic literatures may describe the Supreme as the impersonal Brahman or localized Paramātmā, these are only partial realizations of the ultimate truth—Bhagavān. By submissively receiving knowledge from bona fide authorities and properly understanding the authorized scriptures, a sincere soul can transcend material bewilderment and realize the Supreme Person in full.
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