When we look at this vast creation—the countless stars and galaxies, the precision of natural laws, and the variety and complexity of life—we are naturally filled with awe and wonder. To believe that this Universe came into existence by chance seems highly improbable. Reason compels us to acknowledge a supreme intelligent force behind this wondrous creation—a Being of power, wisdom, and love.
This naturally leads to deeper spiritual questions:
- Who placed the planets and stars in their place in the sky? Who keeps them in continuous motion, and what is the source of that motive force?
- What is the basis behind the formation, sustenance, and eventual death of innumerable living beings? Who designed their intricate and intelligent bodies?
- Who runs the system that grants pleasure and pain as fruits of our past actions (karma)?
- Who is the creative artisan behind the beauty of infinite flowers, colours, and the marvellous designs in nature?
Contemplation of these questions forces us to recognise an intelligent, creative, sustaining force operating this entire cosmos.
The Journey Within: Who Am I?
Turning inward, we realise: we were once children, now we are young, and in time we will grow old and die. But through all these stages, the inner “I” —the consciousness that witnesses these changes—remains. This is the soul, the eternal being, which passes through cycles of birth and death in various life forms.
Despite all worldly pleasures and relationships across lifetimes, the soul remains unfulfilled. It still longs for true peace, love, and bliss. Has anyone ever quenched their thirst in the ocean of desires? Have you ever seen a flower in the sky or horns on a rabbit? Chasing lasting peace and joy in this illusory world is just as futile.
And yet, the soul thirsts for the eternal. Without attaining that true, divine source of love and bliss, the human birth remains incomplete.
The moment a person begins to inquire, “Who am I? Where have I come from, and where shall I go after this body dies? Who is the beloved of my soul, and how can I reach Him?”—This marks the beginning of the true spiritual journey.
Beyond the Five Elements
Even a faint touch of spiritual inquiry helps us realise that our original identity is far beyond the physical body, composed of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space). We are not this body, but the eternal soul.
The question then arises: How do we realise that Beloved Supreme Being who is the soul’s true Master? How do we enshrine Him in the temple of our heart?
Testimony of the Scriptures
The Taittiriya Upanishad declares:
“Ekam eva advitiyam” — He is One without a second.
This One is the Sat-Chit-Anand Paar Brahm — the Supreme Reality who is the eternal existence of power and truth (sat), consciousness (chit), and bliss (anand). He alone is the non-dual Supreme Being. None other existed before Him, and none can equal Him.
In the Maheshwar Tantra (26:7–9), Lord Shiva says to Devi Uma:
“I entered deep samadhi (meditative silence), and in that silence I heard the divine wisdom spoken by the Supreme Lord. Hearing that, my heart became steady and full of clarity, and from that time, O Devi, I have remained absorbed in contemplating His divine play with unwavering focus.”
Likewise, in Maheshwar Tantra (4:40–41), Vishnu tells Lakshmi:
“O’, my beloved, you asked me whom I meditate upon in seclusion. Know this — the one I meditate on is beyond description even in countless kalpas (cosmic cycles). Still, due to your great penance, I will attempt to explain. He is beyond the power of words to describe.”
Raam and Krishna: Worshippers of That One
Even Shri Raam and Shri Krishna, exalted as divine avatars, are described in Valmiki Ramayan and Mahabharata as worshipping and performing penance toward that one Supreme Being:
“Tatash cheerotthitah sandhyaam anvaasya…”
– Ayodhya Kanda 50/48At dusk, after performing evening prayer, Shri Ram partook of water brought by Lakshman.
“Pratarutthaaya Krishnastu kritavaan sarvaahnikam.”
– Udyog Parva 89/1Shri Krishna rose early and completed His spiritual rituals.
Further, the Mahabharata describes Shri Krishna undertaking severe penance for six months in the Himalayas. Clearly, even divine incarnations worshipped a Being greater than themselves — the Supreme Brahm.
True Worship: Not of Many Gods but the One Brahm
The Shatapatha Brahmana (14.4.2.22) declares:
“He who worships other deities, not knowing the One, is like a sacrificial animal for the gods.”
The word “devata” (god) means one with divine qualities. To imbibe the virtues of Ram, Krishna, Hanuman, or Shiva is true worship. But to consider them as the Supreme itself without recognising the One Non-Dual Sat-Chit-Anand Brahm is a spiritual error.
“A true seeker is one who imitates the divine qualities of the great ones but worships the One Supreme Brahm alone.”
Who Is the Sat-Chit-Anand Paar Brahm According to Gita?
Let us now turn to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (15:16–17):
“Dvaa vimau purushau loke — ksharah cha aksharah eva cha. Ksharah sarvaani bhootaani, kootastho’kshara uchyate.”
“Uttamah purushah tu anyah paramatma iti udaahratah. Yo lokatrayam aavishya bibharti avyaya ishvarah.”
There are two categories of beings:
- Kshar Purush — perishable, all beings in this world.
- Akshar Purush — imperishable, unchanging.
But beyond both is the Uttam Purush, also known as Paramatma — He who pervades and sustains the three worlds, eternal and supreme.
Hence, the Sat-Chit-Anand Paar Brahm is none other than this Uttam Purush who is Aksharateet — beyond even the Akshar Brahm.
Clarification: Aadi Narayan Is Not Akshar
The Puran Samhita (23/26–27) clarifies:
“If Aadi Narayan were Akshar, why does he not remain untouched during the cosmic dissolution (Mahapralaya)? He is the Aadi Jeev (Super Soul), known as the originator of all Jeevs. He cannot be Akshar.”
“Aksharathvena prakritim ye vadanti vimohitah…”
Those who call such Jeevs Akshar are deluded.
Who Then Is Akshar Brahm?
According to Mundakopanishad (1.1.7):
“Aksharat sambhavati idam vishvam”
From Akshar alone arises this Universe.
And in Mundakopanishad (1.1.5):
“Athah paraa yayaa tad aksharam adhigamyate”
Through supreme knowledge, one realises Akshar.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (3.8):
“Under the sovereign rule of Akshar, the sun and moon are held in place, and even the heavens and earth stand firm.”
Thus, Akshar Brahm is the supporting power behind creation; yet, even He is not the ultimate Supreme.
The Highest: Aksharateet Paar Brahm
Beyond even Akshar lies the Aksharateet, the Supreme Brahm, the Uttam Purush of the Gita. According to Mundakopanishad (2.1.2):
“Apraano amanah shubhrah — hi aksharat paratah parah.”
He is luminous, beyond breath and mind, even higher than Akshar.
Summary: Who Is the One Sat-Chit-Anand Brahm?
- Uttam Purush Aksharateet is the One and Only Sat-Chit-Anand Paar Brahm, whose power-form is Akshar. From Akshar’s mind arose Aadi Narayan in the realm of Maya, also known as Kshar Purush.
- All Jeevs (souls), matter (five elements), mind, ego, intellect, Aadi Narayan, and Mahashoonya (cosmic void) exist within Kshar Purush.
- This visible universe (Brahmand) is part of the Kshar Brahmand or Hadh, bound by time (Kaal), where everything is subject to birth, death, and duality.
- Beyond Hadh is Akshar Brahmand or Behadh, a realm of sentience, divine light, and spiritual play. Here, the energy (Chaitanya Maya) and Akshar exist in divine harmony.
- Beyond both is the eternal, indivisible Paramdham, where Aksharateet Paar Brahm dwells in a unique, divine form of Sat-Chit-Anand, manifesting eternal love and bliss. Only here does the statement “Sarvam khalvidam Brahm” find its true fulfilment.
Let the true seeker rise beyond the partial worship of forms, and meditate upon the One and Only Sat-Chit-Anand Aksharateet Paar Brahm — the eternal Beloved of the soul, the Supreme Master of all existence.
