Jiva

MIND, MATTER AND GOD : JIVA, JADA AND ISVARA
M.M.NINAN
NIRGUNA BRAHMAN - BRAHMAN WITHOUT QUALITIES
Advaita (Monism or Non-dualism), is believed to be the ultimate explanation of things.
According to it, there is one Absolute Reality (Brahman) which cannot in anyway
defined. Since this absolute reality has no defined qualities it is called Nirguna Brahman,
(the supreme reality without form, quality, attribute).
Of course such an absolute God is really inexplicable and beyond comprehension. He is
neither existing nor not existing, because existence does not make meaning in the
concept. Brahman therefore has no Guna - property. Brahman is simply the singularity.
Brahman is all potential but no inhomogenity. Hence any attempt to describe Brahman
will be futile. If at all we want to make an icon it will be as follows:
Nirguna according to Sankara is being beyond the three attributes that distinguishes
between objects (Triguna-Ateeta = three attributes - beyond). These three attributes of
Prakriti (nature) are: Satva (goodness), Rajas (passion) and Tamas (ignorance). But
then such a God who has no nature is of no consequence. These are properties of the
nature and not of Brahman.
According to Sankara, Brahman is the only reality (if we can define reality without
quality).
Brahman is the adviteeya vasthu or the only one real entity.
Brahman is defined as ekam eva adviteeya or one without a second.
Thus there is nothing other than Brahman. Whatever exists is nothing but the ultimate
reality of Brahman alone.
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