Brahman
[the ultimate reality; the ground of the universe; the Absolute; the Divine; "great"(from the root brh = "to expand, greater than the greatest) ]
1. The Absolute Great; that which is greater than the greatest. "That which puts an end to differences". The Absolute Reality or all-pervasive supreme principle of the universe. It has nothing similar to it and nothing different from it, and it has no empirical distinctions from the acosmic viewpoint.
2. Vedantic term for the Absolute Reality. The Absolute or all-pervasive supreme principle of the universe. The nature of Brahman is described in the Upanisads and in Vedantic philosophy as sat (Existence absolute), cit (Consciousness absolute), and ananda (Bliss absolute)
3. Advaita vedanta says that it is not possible to explain Brahman in words. It transcends all ideas and concepts and is therefore nirguna - beyond conceptualization. It is declared to be the only Truth. Other Vedantas explain that words may not entirely define what Brahman is, but they do describe its glorious attributes and is therefore saguna-- "with glorious attributes".
4. In the Upanisads it is conceived of in two modes; the Reality of which the universe is but an appearance (nisprapanca) and the all inclusive ground of the universe (saprapanca). It is described positively as existence (sat), knowledge (cit), bliss(ananda) and infinite (ananta), and negatively as "not this, not this" (neti neti). It has nothing similar to it and nothing different from it, and it has no empirical distinctions from the acosmic viewpoint. According to Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is known in two forms; that as qualified by limiting conditions owing to the distinctions of "name and form" and as what is free from all limiting conditions whatever. Both Visistadvaita and Dvaita Vedanta conceive of Brahman as endowed with auspicious qualities (saguna).
