Described in the Upaniṣads - The Supreme Absolute Truth
The Upaniṣads represent the philosophical pinnacle of Vedic knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while mundane scholars often misinterpret these texts to support impersonalism, a proper reading of the Upaniṣads perfectly reveals both the localized Paramātmā and the supreme, personal form of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
The Personal Form vs. Impersonal Brahman
It is a common error to assume that the Vedas strictly promote a formless God. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the impersonal descriptions found in the Upaniṣads are merely intended to negate material qualities, and that the blinding brahmajyoti is simply the glowing effulgence of the Lord's spiritual body.
- 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 - CC Intro.
- In the Upanisads the description is more or less negation of the material conception of things, but this is not denial of the transcendental senses of the Supreme Lord.
- What the Upanisads describe as the impersonal Brahman is but the effulgence of His body, and the Lord known as the Supersoul is but His localized plenary portion - CC Adi 1.3.
- The Isopanisad mantra is a simple prayer to the Lord to remove the brahmajyoti so that one can see His real face. This brahmajyoti effulgence is described in detail in several mantras of the Mundaka Upanisad.
Transcendental Qualities and Activities
God is never devoid of characteristics. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that the Upaniṣads vividly describe the supreme, luminous qualities of the Absolute Truth and validate the superhuman, personal pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The Upanisads describe in different ways the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord. The Absolute Truth, the Supreme Lord, is called nirguna. That does not mean He has no qualities.
- The Vedas, the Upanisads, the Brahma-sutra and the Puranas all describe the activities of the spiritual potency of the Lord. If one cannot accept the personal activities of the Lord, he jokes foolishly and gives an impersonal description.
- These (Krsna killing Putana and lifting the Govardhan Hill) are some of the superhuman activities of the Lord described in the authoritative Vedic literatures like the Puranas, Itihasas (histories) and Upanisads.
- In the Svetasvatara Upanisad (3.8), the Supreme is described as aditya-varnam tamasah parastat, He whose self-manifest form is luminous like the sun and transcendental to the darkness of ignorance.
The Supersoul and the Dependent Soul
To explain the relationship between God and the living entity within the material body, the Upaniṣads employ a profound visual metaphor. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites this diagrammatic analogy of two birds to illustrate the soul's absolute dependence on the localized Supersoul.
- The Supersoul is also living along with these ordinary living entities as friends. That is described in the Upanisad, that two birds are sitting on one tree.
- The Supersoul, being seated in everyone's heart, can witness everyone's activities - past, present and future. In the Upanisads the Supersoul is described as being seated with the individual soul as friend and witness.
- When God sees, you can see. When God walks, you can walk. - These are the description in the Upanisad. Practically, that is the fact. We are completely helpless, simply dependent upon God.
- The form of the unlimited eternal is sometimes conceived as the universal form, and in the Vedic literatures like the Upanisads the form of the limited eternal is vividly described.
The Ultimate Goal of Vedic Knowledge
The ultimate purpose of the scriptures is to guide humanity out of the cycle of birth and death. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the Upaniṣads establish the Supreme Lord as the Complete Whole and urge every living entity to utilize their human life to realize this truth before death arrives.
- 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 fountainhead of everything is described in the Upanisads as the complete whole.
- Lord Caitanya as the incarnation of Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, is described secretly but not directly in the confidential parts of the revealed scriptures, such as the Upanisads, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam, etc.
- This life is not meant for wasting time like cats and dog. Because after all, we have to give up this life. But before giving up this life, we must gain something. That is described in the Upanisad. Etad viditva yah prayati sa brahmanah.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully dispels the illusion that the Upaniṣads strictly propagate a formless, impersonal Absolute Truth. While these profound philosophical texts often utilize negative descriptions (such as nirguṇa) to firmly reject any material conception of God, they consistently affirm His self-luminous, transcendental, and personal nature. The impersonal Brahman so heavily analyzed in the Upaniṣads is clearly identified as nothing more than the dazzling bodily effulgence of the Supreme Lord, who is the Complete Whole. Furthermore, through the timeless analogy of the two birds in the tree, the Upaniṣads clearly establish the localized presence of the Paramātmā—the Supersoul—who acts as the ultimate friend, witness, and maintainer of the dependent individual soul. By properly understanding these authorized descriptions as they are, without the contamination of mental speculation, a sincere practitioner is empowered to stop wasting the invaluable human form of life and achieve the ultimate spiritual perfection.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Described in the Upanisads. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.