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Para Brahman
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<h2 id="etymology">Etymology</h2> <p><i>Para</i> is a Sanskrit word that means "higher" in some contexts, and "highest or supreme" in others.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p><p><i><a href="/facts/Brahman/GM0QaQ9U">Brahman</a></i> in Hinduism connotes the Absolute, the <a href="/facts/Absolute_(philosophy)/JBCyb0MA">Ultimate Reality</a> in the universe.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> In major schools of Hindu philosophy it is the immaterial, efficient, formal and final <a href="/facts/Four_causes/zvJjs6Hq">cause</a> of all that exists.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> Brahman is a key concept found in the <a href="/facts/Vedas/yQgc8B2x">Vedas</a> and is extensively discussed in the early <a href="/facts/Upanishads/hr64Hhdn">Upanishads</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> and in Advaita Vedanta literature.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="advaita-vedanta">Advaita Vedanta</h2> <p>In Advaita Vedanta, the Para Brahman is defined as <i>nirguna brahman</i>, or Brahman without form or qualities.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> It is a state of complete knowledge of self as being identical with the transcendental Brahman, a state of mental-spiritual enlightenment (<a href="/facts/J%25C3%25B1%25C4%2581na_yoga/4EYoYKAJ">Jñāna yoga</a>).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> It contrasts with Saguna Brahman which is a state of loving awareness (<a href="/facts/Bhakti_yoga/jnLm4uFu">Bhakti yoga</a>).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> Advaita Vedanta non-dualistically holds that Brahman is divine, the Divine is Brahman, and this is identical to that which is <a href="/facts/Atman_(Hinduism)/8X7tehzj">Atman</a> (one's soul, innermost self) and nirguna (attribute-less), infinite, love, truth, knowledge, "being-consciousness-bliss".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> </p><p>According to Eliot Deutsch, <i>Nirguna Brahman</i> is a "state of being"<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> in which all dualistic distinctions between one's own soul and Brahman are obliterated and are overcome.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> In contrast, <i>Saguna Brahman</i> is where the distinctions are harmonized after duality between one's own soul and Brahman has been accepted.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p><p>Advaita describes the features of a nondualistic experience,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> in which a subjective experience also becomes an "object" of knowledge and a phenomenal reality. The Absolute Truth is both subject and object, so there is no qualitative difference: </p> <ul><li>The knowers of Truth declare knowledge alone as the Reality——that knowledge which does not admit of duality (the distinction of subject & object), in other words, which is indivisible & one without a second, & which is called by different names such as Brahman (the Absolute), Paramatma (the Supreme Spirit or Oversoul) & Bhagavan (the Deity). (<a href="/facts/Bhagavata_Purana/G6g1kxHY">Bhagavata Purana</a> 1.2.11)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></li> <li>"Whoever realizes the Supreme Brahma attains to supreme felicity. That Supreme Brahma is Eternal Truth (satyam), Omniscient (jnanam), Infinite (anantam)." (<a href="/facts/Taittiriya_Upanishad/pukrDnCq">Taittiriya Upanishad</a> 2.1.1)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></li></ul> <p>The Upanishads state that the Supreme Brahma is Eternal, Conscious, and Blissful <a href="/facts/Satcitananda/d48vXnRL">sat-chit-ânanda</a>. The realisation of this truth is the same as <i>being</i> this truth: </p> <ul><li>"The One is Bliss. Whoever perceives the Blissful One, the reservoir of pleasure, becomes blissful forever." (<a href="/facts/Taittiriya_Upanishad/pukrDnCq">Taittiriya Upanishad</a> 2.7.1–2)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a></li> <li>"Verily know the Supreme One to be Bliss." (<a href="/facts/Brihadaranyaka_Upanishad/7Bod22eh">Brihadaranyaka Upanishad</a> 2.9.28)</li></ul> <h2 id="vaishnavism">Vaishnavism</h2> <p>In Vaishnavism, <a href="/facts/Vishnu/yzp3I6Db">Vishnu</a> is considered to be Para Brahman, especially in his form of <a href="/facts/Mahavishnu/kGfCXcRK">Mahavishnu</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> He is also depicted as the <a href="/facts/Paramatman/3eoCzqnA">Paramatman</a>, according to the <a href="/facts/Narayana_sukta/2oMocnPn"><i>Narayana Sukta</i></a> in the <i><a href="/facts/Yajurveda/XS4Hepvu">Yajurveda</a></i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a> </p><p>The <i><a href="/facts/Mahabharata/EKbN9XwS">Mahabharata</a></i> describes Vishnu to be the Para Brahman, and is also identified with both <i><a href="/facts/Purusha/DfgHDrm3">purusha</a></i> and <i><a href="/facts/Prak%25E1%25B9%259Bti/wxqE8TxA">prakriti</a></i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> In the <i><a href="/facts/Bhagavata_Purana/G6g1kxHY">Bhagavata Purana</a></i>, <a href="/facts/Narayana/ohCVcJDU">Narayana</a> is described to be Para Brahman.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a> </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Shuddhadvaita/3XYtF333">Shuddhavaita</a>, <a href="/facts/Vallabha/9dIATTMW">Vallabha</a> praises <a href="/facts/Krishna/oQVtX5MI">Krishna</a> as Para Brahman and considers Krishna as the "Brahman of the <a href="/facts/Upanishads/hr64Hhdn">Upanishads</a>, the <a href="/facts/Paramatman/3eoCzqnA">Paramatman</a> of the <a href="/facts/Sm%25E1%25B9%259Bti/SwhIDQDh">Smrti</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Bhagavan/dJ011VjP">Bhagavan</a> of the <a href="/facts/Bhagavata_Purana/G6g1kxHY">Bhagavata</a>".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="shaivaism">Shaivaism</h2> <p>In <a href="/facts/Shaivism/aVXXNj6v">Shaivism</a>, <a href="/facts/Shiva/SaHL5XBS">Shiva</a> is regarded to be Para Brahman, especially in his form of <a href="/facts/Parashiva/QpVFvxKj">Parashiva</a>, the supreme form of Shiva.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> According to the <i><a href="/facts/Shiva_Purana/kx5bTBej">Shiva Purana</a></i>, Shiva is described to be the only deity to possess both <i>nirguna</i> and <i>saguna</i> attributes, causing him to be the only one worthy of the epithet <a href="/facts/Ishvara/UYhGEj3B">Ishvara</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="shaktism">Shaktism</h2> <p>In <a href="/facts/Shaktism/2RbDctAE">Shaktism</a>, <a href="/facts/Adi_Parashakti/beft8sul">Adi Parashakti</a> is considered to be the Para Brahman both with and without qualities, and also <a href="/facts/Brahman/GM0QaQ9U">Brahman</a> in its energetic state, the ultimate reality. According to the Devi Suktam and Sri Suktam in the <a href="/facts/Rigveda/7dyqIlsJ">Rigveda</a> she is the womb of all creation. Thus <a href="/facts/Mahakali/EMHGxNeH">Mahakali</a>'s epithet is Brahmamayi, meaning "She Whose Essence is Brahman". <a href="/facts/Tridevi/PwX1LLML">Tridevi</a> is the supreme form of Adi Parashakti. Her eternal abode is called <a href="/facts/Manidvipa/eqDnCBQ8">Manidvipa</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a> </p><p>The <i><a href="/facts/Markandeya_Purana/CtTIB7Ne">Markandeya Purana</a></i> describes the ten-headed Kāli as the Unborn, the Eternal, Mahamari and <a href="/facts/Lakshmi/G0aDlQpn">Lakshmi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32"><sup>32</sup></a> In the <i><a href="/facts/Devi_Bhagavata_Purana/r6zRSndL">Devi Bhagavata Purana</a></i>, the four-armed Vishnu describes Mahā Kāli as Nirguna, creatrix and destructrix, beginningless and deathless.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33"><sup>33</sup></a> The Kāli Sahasranama Stotra from the <i>Kalika Kulasarvasva Tantra</i> states that she is supreme (paramā) and indeed <a href="/facts/Durga/SkYrcYEf">Durga</a>, <a href="/facts/%25C5%259Aruti/mjYtlug5">Śruti</a>, <a href="/facts/Smriti/SwhIDQDh">Smriti</a>, <a href="/facts/Mahalakshmi/G0aDlQpn">Mahalakshmi</a>, <a href="/facts/Saraswati/g71swLDQ">Saraswati</a>, <a href="/facts/%25C4%2580tman_(Hinduism)/8X7tehzj">Ātman</a> <a href="/facts/Vidya_(philosophy)/Tkx3ame0">Vidya</a> and <a href="/facts/Brahmavidya/3ogJhtXW">Brahmavidya</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34"><sup>34</sup></a> In the <i>Mahanirvana Tantra</i> she is called <a href="/facts/Adya/s3B8Ysv8">Adya</a> or Primordial Kali, who is the origin, protectress and devourer of all things.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35"><sup>35</sup></a> In Chapters 13 and 23 of <i>Nila Tantra</i> she is called the cause of everything, <a href="/facts/Gayatri/n0wAwsug">Gayatri</a>, <a href="/facts/Parameshwari/M3tKdW48">Parameshwari</a>, Lakshmi, Mahāmāyā, <a href="/facts/Omniscient/0WYmnyFM">omniscient</a>, worshipped by Shiva himself, the great absolute (māhāparā), supreme (paramā), the mother of the highest reality (parāparāmba) and <a href="/facts/%25C4%2580tman_(Hinduism)/8X7tehzj">Ātman</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36"><sup>36</sup></a> </p><p>Mahā Kāli's own form is referred to as Para Brahman (parabrahmasvarūpiṇī) in the <i>Devyāgama</i> and different <a href="/facts/Tantra/PWp3GPK9">Tantra</a> <a href="/facts/Shastras/rs0cj8QY">Shastras</a>. She is also variously referred to as Soul of the universe, <a href="/facts/Paramatman/3eoCzqnA">Paramatman</a>, <a href="/facts/B%25C4%25ABja/3fAdDIML">Bīja</a> and <a href="/facts/Nirguna/FjcTWNKD">Nirguna</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37"><sup>37</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Achintya_Bheda_Abheda/CHaKogA2">Achintya Bheda Abheda</a> – Philosophical school of Vedanta</li> <li><a href="/facts/Adi_Parashakti/beft8sul">Adi Parashakti</a> – Supreme goddess in HinduismPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/%25C4%2580tman_(Hinduism)/8X7tehzj">Ātman (Hinduism)</a> – Hindu concept for inner self or essence as mere consciousness</li> <li><a href="/facts/Bhakti/HXpPYMEf">Bhakti</a> – Devotional love, a concept in Indian religions</li> <li><a href="/facts/Brahma/gmJ5YDk0">Brahma</a> – Creator god in Hinduism</li> <li><a href="/facts/Jiva/DjGJqcVW">Jiva</a> – Metaphysical entity believed to be imbued with a life force</li> <li><a href="/facts/Jnana/NWz3dKUY">Jnana</a> – "Knowledge" in Indian philosophy and religionPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Mahaganapati/tICCrEQ3">Mahaganapati</a> – Aspect of the Hindu god Ganesha</li> <li><a href="/facts/Mahavishnu/kGfCXcRK">Mahavishnu</a> – One of the forms of Hindu deity Vishnu</li> <li><a href="/facts/Narayana/ohCVcJDU">Narayana</a> – Form and epithets of the Hindu deity Vishnu</li> <li><a href="/facts/Nonduality_(spirituality)/UUH82Pk9">Nonduality (spirituality)</a> – Absence of fundamental dualityPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Oachira_Temple/5fX7w4Q6">Oachira Temple</a> – ancient temple in South Indian state of KeralaPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback</li> <li><a href="/facts/Om/AsmN2xbU">Om</a> – Sacred sound in Indian religions</li> <li><a href="/facts/Padanilam_Parabrahma_Temple/76M0ffGo">Padanilam Parabrahma Temple</a> – temple in IndiaPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback</li> <li><a href="/facts/Paramatma/3eoCzqnA">Paramatma</a> – Absolute Atman, or supreme Self, in various philosophiesPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Parashiva/QpVFvxKj">Parashiva</a> – Hindu deity</li> <li><a href="/facts/Parbrahm_Ashram/9DWqjs1S">Parbrahm Ashram</a> – Hindu temple in Pakistan</li> <li><a href="/facts/Svayam_Bhagavan/AE0rdceh">Svayam Bhagavan</a> – Concept in Hinduism</li> <li><a href="/facts/Vedanta/CIeFg7fC">Vedanta</a> – One of the six orthodox traditions of Hindu philosophy</li> <li><a href="/facts/Yoga/HrhU9JdW">Yoga</a> – Spiritual practices from ancient India</li></ul> <h2 id="notes">Notes</h2> <h2 id="sources">Sources</h2> <ul><li>Deutsch, Eliot (1973), <i>Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction</i>, University of Hawaii Press</li> <li>Fisher, Mary Pat (2012), <i>Living Religions: A Brief Introduction</i></li> <li>Malkovsky, B. (1997), "The Personhood of Samkara's" Para Brahma"", <i>The Journal of Religion</i>, 77 (4): 541, <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1086%2F490065">10.1086/490065</a>, <a href="/facts/JSTOR_(identifier)/YTeVmaJ7">JSTOR</a> <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1206747">1206747</a>, <a href="/facts/S2CID_(identifier)/ldJsHa2Y">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:170842690">170842690</a></li> <li>Sullivan, B.M. (2001), <i>The A to Z of Hinduism</i>, Rowman & Littlefield, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 8170945216</li> <li>White, C.S.J. (1970), "Krsna as Divine Child", <i>History of Religions</i>, 10 (2): 156, <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1086%2F462625">10.1086/462625</a>, <a href="/facts/JSTOR_(identifier)/YTeVmaJ7">JSTOR</a> <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1061907">1061907</a>, <a href="/facts/S2CID_(identifier)/ldJsHa2Y">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:162216194">162216194</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220601235114/http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/vedicsystem.htm">"VEDA - Vedas and Vedic Knowledge Online - Vedic Encyclopedia"</a>. www.veda.harekrsna.cz. Archived from <a href="http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/vedicsystem.htm">the original</a> on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2008.</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Pratapaditya Pal; Stephen P. Huyler; John E. Cort; et al. (2016). Puja and Piety: Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Art from the Indian Subcontinent. University of California Press. pp. 55–56. ISBN 978-0-520-28847-8. <a href="978-0-520-28847-8" target="_blank">978-0-520-28847-8</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>White 1970, p. 156. - White, C.S.J. (1970), "Krsna as Divine Child", History of Religions, 10 (2): 156, doi:10.1086/462625, JSTOR 1061907, S2CID 162216194 <a href="https://doi.org/10.1086%2F462625" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1086%2F462625</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Monier Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European languages, Oxford University Press, Article on Para <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>James Lochtefeld, Brahman, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing. ISBN 978-0823931798, page 122 <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>PT Raju (2006), Idealistic Thought of India, Routledge, ISBN 978-1406732627, page 426 and Conclusion chapter part XII <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>PT Raju (2006), Idealistic Thought of India, Routledge, ISBN 978-1406732627, page 426 and Conclusion chapter part XII <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>For dualism school of Hinduism, see: Francis X. Clooney (2010), Hindu God, Christian God: How Reason Helps Break Down the Boundaries between Religions, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0199738724, pages 51–58, 111–115;For monist school of Hinduism, see: B Martinez-Bedard (2006), Types of Causes in Aristotle and Sankara, Thesis – Department of Religious Studies (Advisors: Kathryn McClymond and Sandra Dwyer), Georgia State University, pages 18–35 <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Stephen Philips (1998), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Brahman to Derrida (Editor; Edward Craig), Routledge, ISBN 978-0415187077, pages 1–4 <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Michael Comans (2002), The Method of Early Advaita Vedānta, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120817227, pages 129–130, 216–231 <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Sullivan 2001, p. 148. - Sullivan, B.M. (2001), The A to Z of Hinduism, Rowman & Littlefield, ISBN 8170945216 <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Fisher 2012, p. 116. - Fisher, Mary Pat (2012), Living Religions: A Brief Introduction <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Malkovsky 1997, p. 541. - Malkovsky, B. (1997), "The Personhood of Samkara's" Para Brahma"", The Journal of Religion, 77 (4): 541, doi:10.1086/490065, JSTOR 1206747, S2CID 170842690 <a href="https://doi.org/10.1086%2F490065" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1086%2F490065</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Deutsch 1973, p. 13. - Deutsch, Eliot (1973), Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction, University of Hawaii Press <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Deutsch 1973, p. 13. - Deutsch, Eliot (1973), Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction, University of Hawaii Press <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Deutsch 1973, pp. 9–14. - Deutsch, Eliot (1973), Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction, University of Hawaii Press <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Deutsch 1973, p. 12. - Deutsch, Eliot (1973), Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction, University of Hawaii Press <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Deutsch 1973, p. 13. - Deutsch, Eliot (1973), Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction, University of Hawaii Press <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Deutsch 1973, p. 13. - Deutsch, Eliot (1973), Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction, University of Hawaii Press <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Deutsch 1973, p. 13. - Deutsch, Eliot (1973), Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction, University of Hawaii Press <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda (13 July 2021). "Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.2.11". Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160313024404/http://www.iskconpress.com/books/sb/1/2/11" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20160313024404/http://www.iskconpress.com/books/sb/1/2/11</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam, yaj jnanam advayam brahmeti paramatmeti, bhagavan iti sabdyate <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>brahma-vid apnoti param, tad eshabhyukta, satyam jnanam anantam brahma <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>raso vai sa, rasam hy evayam labdhvanandi bhavati <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>Vishwananda, Paramahamsa Sri Swami (12 January 2017). Shreemad Bhagavad Gita: The Song of Love. Bhakti Marga Publications. p. 854. ISBN 978-3-940381-70-5. <a href="978-3-940381-70-5" target="_blank">978-3-940381-70-5</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>Ritajananda, Swami (15 July 2022). The Practice Of Meditation. Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 89. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Jml7EAAAQBAJ&dq=narayana+sukta+supreme+being&pg=PT89" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=Jml7EAAAQBAJ&dq=narayana+sukta+supreme+being&pg=PT89</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>Ganguli, Kisari Mohan (24 January 2024). The Mahabharata of Khrisna-Dwaipayana Vyasa; XII. The Book of Peace Part Two: Vol. XII Part. 2. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 610. ISBN 978-3-385-32443-5. <a href="978-3-385-32443-5" target="_blank">978-3-385-32443-5</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Prabhupada, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (31 December 1972). Srimad-Bhagavatam, Second Canto: The Cosmic Manifestation. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. p. 700. ISBN 978-91-7149-635-5. <a href="978-91-7149-635-5" target="_blank">978-91-7149-635-5</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>Srinivasachari, P. N. (1943). The Philosophy Of Visistadvaita. Osmania University, Digital Library Of India. The Adyar Library. p. 163. <a href="https://archive.org/details/philosophyofvisi031584mbp" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/philosophyofvisi031584mbp</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>Merging with Siva pocketbook. Himalayan Academy Publications. p. 407. ISBN 978-1-934145-11-1. <a href="978-1-934145-11-1" target="_blank">978-1-934145-11-1</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>J.L.Shastri (1950). Siva Purana - English Translation - Part 1 of 4. pp. 62–63. <a href="http://archive.org/details/SivaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1" target="_blank">http://archive.org/details/SivaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>Klostermaier, Klaus K. (10 March 2010). Survey of Hinduism, A: Third Edition. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-8011-3. <a href="978-0-7914-8011-3" target="_blank">978-0-7914-8011-3</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:32"><p>Pargiter (1904), Canto XCII. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFPargiter1904 (help) <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:33"><p>Vijñanananda (1921), Book 1 Chapter 9. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFVijñanananda1921 (help) <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:34"><p>Kalika Kulasarvasva, [1] Kalika Sahasranama. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFKalika_Kulasarvasva (help) <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:35"><p>Avalon (1913a), Chapter 4. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFAvalon1913a (help) <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:36"><p>Brihan Nila Tantram (1938), [2]. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFBrihan_Nila_Tantram1938 (help) <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:37"><p>Avalon (1913b), [3]. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFAvalon1913b (help) <a href="#fnref:37" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>