The Nature of God

After lifetimes of frustrated attempts at finding happiness in this material world, the living entity, eternal, full of knowledge and bliss, begins a serious search for the Absolute Truth. Since eternality is so integral to our nature, we naturally look for that in this material world. This brings us to the sat (eternality) aspect of the Absolute Truth, known as the impersonal Brahman. Later, the searcher realises that the Absolute Truth must also be sentient, having the capacity to oversee and direct the entirety of the cosmos. This brings one to the cit (knowledge) aspect of the Absolute Truth, known as Paramatma or Supersoul, who keeps the affairs of material creation ticking like clockwork. Finally, one wonders what that Supreme being does in Their own abode, separate from this temporary world. This brings one to the understanding of the ananda (bliss) aspect of the Absolute Truth, known as Bhagavan, who fully manifests the name, fame, form and qualities of God. At this stage, one understands that separate from controlling material nature, the Supreme Lord also has His own intimate personal life in the spiritual world.

Jiva Goswami thus explains that perception of Absolute Truth can be of different degrees. When we perceive the Absolute Truth without potency, this is Brahman realisation. When we perceive the Absolute Truth with material potencies, this is Paramatma realisation. When we perceive the Absolute Truth with material and spiritual potencies this is Bhagavan realisation. That is the most complete understanding.

The natural question that follows is how we re-establish our relationship with that Supreme Person.