Realizing that the Absolute Truth is One
In the pursuit of spiritual knowledge, many encounter a variety of philosophical systems and religious paths. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Absolute Truth is fundamentally one, described in the Vedas as advaya-jñāna. While the Truth is singular and without duality, it is perceived through different phases of understanding. By studying the authoritative statements of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one can understand how the same unified identity is realized as Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān.
The Principle of Non-Dual Knowledge
The core of Vedic realization is that the Absolute Truth, or tattva-vastu, is one. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that those who are in actual knowledge of this substance refer to it as advaya-jñāna, meaning there is no duality in the Supreme. Whether one refers to the Truth as Brahman, Paramātmā, or Bhagavān, they are speaking of the same one object. The distinction lies not in the object itself, but in the stage or phase of realization achieved by the transcendentalist. This spiritual distinction is crucial for understanding the hierarchy of realization without compromising the oneness of the Truth.
- That Absolute Truth, tattva-vastu, those who are in the knowledge of tattva-vastu, they say the Absolute Truth is one, advaya-jnana. There is no duality. Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam yaj jnanam advayam. Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.
- In the First Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said that the absolute truth is one, and He is manifested as impersonal Brahman, Paramatma (supersoul), and Bhagavan (the Supreme Personality of Godhead). Here is a spiritual distinction.
- Absolute Truth, it cannot be two; but there are different phases of understanding the Absolute Truth. Therefore here it is plural number, tattvanam. Tattva is one.
- The Absolute Truth is one without a second, but He is viewed from different angles of vision by different religionists or transcendentalists under different circumstances.
Realization According to Capacity
Śrīla Prabhupāda often compares the Absolute Truth to light. While light is one, there are different degrees of its presence. Similarly, the Absolute Truth is one, but according to the capacity of the seeker, it is understood in different features. Those who attempt to understand the Truth solely by the strength of their own imperfect knowledge often conclude that the Absolute is impersonal Brahman. This is a partial realization of the eternity feature of the Truth, but it does not represent the complete picture available to those with a higher angle of vision.
- The Absolute Truth is one, advaya-jnana, without any duality, but according to our capacity, we realize the Absolute Truth from three different angles of vision. So one of them is realization of God in His impersonal Brahman feature.
- Absolute Truth is one - light - but there are degrees. If you become attached to impersonal Brahman, you simply enjoy the eternity feature of the Absolute Truth.
- The Absolute Truth is one, but according to my capacity I understand Absolute Truth in three features. Those who are trying to understand the Absolute Truth by dint of his imperfect knowledge, he comes to the conclusion that Absolute Truth is impersonal.
- The Absolute Truth is one, but one who is trying to understand Him by the dint of his personal knowledge, he approaches up to impersonal Brahman.
Overcoming Disagreement Through Truth
On the material platform, there is a constant possibility of disagreement, which leads to the creation of many different religious systems. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Absolute Truth is one, and when an individual becomes truly situated in that Truth, all disagreement ends. Realized souls, who are aware of the Truth, understand that Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān are simply different phases of the same one identity. By reaching this platform of unified understanding, the various angles of vision are harmonized within the complete science of God.
- On the material platform, there is no possibility of agreement; therefore there are different kinds of religious systems. But the Absolute Truth is one, and when one is situated in the Absolute Truth, there is no disagreement.
- This is statement in the Srimad-Bhagavata: Those who know the Absolute Truth, they know that Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan, they are one. It is different phases of understanding only.
- Those who are aware of the Absolute Truth, they say that Absolute Truth is one, but He's realized in three angle of vision, namely, Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan.
- There are different stages or phases of understanding. That is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Absolute Truth is that. It is one, but it is realized into different phases: as Brahman, as Paramatma and as Bhagavan.
The Perfection of Personal Realization
While there are three phases of realization, Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that the personal feature, Bhagavān, is the ultimate realization of the one Truth. Even when the priests of Maharaja Nabhi prayed for the Lord to appear as a son, they knew that God is one without a second. Realizing the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not contradict the oneness of the Absolute; rather, it is the most complete realization that includes the Brahman and Paramātmā features. Whether one says Brahman, Paramātmā, or Bhagavān, there is a grace of realization involved, but the central point is always the one Supreme Lord.
- The rtvijah, the priests, knew that God is one, yet they prayed for the Supreme Lord to become the son of Maharaja Nabhi to let the world know that the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is one without a second.
- The Absolute Truth is one, but according to our understanding, some are accepting the Absolute Truth as impersonal Brahman, some of them accepting the Absolute Truth as the localized Paramatma.
- The absolute truth is one either you say Brahma or Paramatma or Bhagavan but still there is a grace of realisation.
- The Supreme Absolute Truth is one, but He's realized from different angles of vision. Those who are trying to realize the Supreme Absolute Truth by speculation, they come to the impersonal conclusion.
Conclusion
The conclusion of all Vedic study is that the Absolute Truth is one, yet He is wonderfully manifested in different features to suit the vision of different seekers. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that whether we perceive the Truth as the all-pervading impersonal Brahman, the localized Supersoul, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we are looking at the same non-dual substance. By following the authorized path of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, we can transcend the disagreements of the material platform and find perfect unity in the realization of the one Absolute Truth, Kṛṣṇa.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Absolute Truth is One. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.