Origins of Brahman
Brahman is best described as an all-encompassing divine being that is the source of all creation. According to the Hindu scriptures, it was Brahman who created the universe out of nothingness. He is believed to be the ultimate reality, the source of all knowledge and the cosmic energy that sustains the entire universe. He is said to be both transcendent and immanent, meaning He is simultaneously above and within all creation.
Brahman is considered to be formless and genderless, existing beyond the boundaries of time and space. It is thought that Brahman is both the cause and effect of all that exists, meaning that everything that exists within the universe is an expression of Brahman’s creative energy. Brahman is considered both omnipotent and omniscient — all powerful and all knowing. He is indestructible and eternal, existing outside of the physical world.
The Creation Story of the World
But how did Brahman create the world? According to Hinduism, Brahman released His creative energy into the form of a cosmic egg. Inside the cosmic egg was a formless, chaotic mass that contained all the potential for the universe. This mass became known as the Golden Embryo and served as the basis for the universe that we know today.
Then, He began to form the universe itself. From the Golden Embryo, He separated the Heavens from the Earth and the Sea from the Land. He filled the universe with many galaxies, stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Then, He created the elements necessary for life to thrive. Plants, animals, and humans were all made out of the same intense, creative force.
Advaita Vedanta and the Nature of Self
The Advaita Vedanta is a philosophical belief system within Hinduism which states that everything is part of the same divine, conscious reality. The Advaita Vedanta school of thought states that Brahman is the ultimate truth, and that everything else is an illusion. The Advaita Vedanta states that all beings are part of the same divine being and that the divine is all that truly exists.
In this way, all beings are part of an interconnected reality. This interconnected reality includes all matter, energy, and life in the universe, unifying all of mankind into one. Thus, all living beings are fundamentally interconnected and part of the same divine reality, because all are part of Brahman.
Living on Earth According to Hinduism
Hinduism teaches that the world was created for humans to inhabit and become one with Brahman. It is only by living in harmony with the world that we can hope to do this. Hindus strive to live in a way that is reflective of the divine, honoring the natural world and all life. It is thought that by doing so, we can become closer to truth and divine understanding.
The religion is also based on a reverence for karma, or the concept that the actions we take in this life will come back to us in the next. Hindus strive to live morally in order to achieve good karma, which will in turn help them to reach the ultimate goal of Brahman realization.
Conclusion of Brahman
In conclusion, Hinduism teaches that the universe was created by Brahman and that His creative energy sustains the world. According to this belief system, all living beings are part of one divine being and by living in harmony with nature, we can become closer to the divine understanding. Hindus strive to live with this understanding, taking ethical action in order to achieve good karma in the afterlife.
