Śabdabrahman
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Śabdabrahman literally means ‘Brahman in the form of śabda or sound’.
This word has been used in several senses. The Veda is known as Brahman since it helps us in realizing Brahman or God, the Absolute. It is also in the form of śabda or words. Hence it is called Śabdabrahman.
The word Ohm[1] is the highest symbol of Brahman. The Upaniṣads identify it with Brahman.[2] Hence Śabdabrahman is Oñkāra. The Amrtabindu Upaniṣad[3] identifies Saguṇabrahman[4] with Śabdabrahman and Nirguṇabrahman[5] with Parabrahman. This word occurs in the Bhagavadgitā[6] also. It has been interpreted there as the result of Vedic rituals or the prakṛti or nature.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore