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How does the Upanishadic idea of brahman describe the universe?
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Indian philosophy
In the Bhagavad Gita Arjuna and the Hindu deity Krishna, who also serves as Arjuna's charioteer (as depicted in this 17th-century illustration), engaging in a philosophical dialogue.
In the Upanishads, brahman is described as the supreme, absolute reality that serves as the eternal, conscious, and infinite spiritual core of the universe. It is characterized as the "one Being" from which the manifested world bursts forth, representing the underlying essence of all existence.12
The Upanishads emphasize that brahman is both transcendent—existing beyond time, space, and causality—and immanent, pervading all beings. This is famously expressed through the identification of brahman with atman (the innermost self), suggesting that the ultimate reality of the universe is identical to the deepest essence within every individual.123
Interpretations of how this reality relates to the universe vary across schools of Vedanta:
- Advaita (Nondualist): Maintains that brahman is the only reality; the pluralistic universe is an illusory projection (maya) caused by ignorance.13
- Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Nondualist): Views the world as a body to brahman’s soul, identifying brahman with a personal god who is both immanent and transcendent.1
- Bhedabheda (Dualist-Nondualist): Posits that the world is a product of brahman and is not different from it, though it is subject to limiting conditions.1
- Dvaita (Dualist): Asserts an ontological separation between the supreme brahman and the world.1