The ancient Vedic seers realized the various cosmic powers responsible for the creative, expansive and destructive aspects of the universe and also revealed various spiritual practices which allow man to realize the highest goal of life. They described the Paramātma or the Supreme Self with various epithets such as “the highest”, “most powerful”, “all pervading”, “transcendental”, “the basis of all qualities”, “unchangeable”, “eternal”, “the most pure” and so on.
The ancients further declared that although there exist many forms, spiritual practices and bhāvās or attitude of worship with which the Supreme may be approached, all paths ultimately lead to the One Paramātma. The Paramātma may be approached in 8 distinctive ways:
1. As Brahma, who is “nitya” (eternal), “jñānananda” (steeped in the bliss of non-dual knowledge), “nirguña” (without qualities), “nirākāra” (without form) and “māyārahita” (beyond the influence of maya).
2. With qualities, eternal, all powerful, without form, Supreme and as the giver of boons.
3. As the creator and progenitor of the universe – Brahma.
4. As the ruler and preserver – Vishnu.
5. As the destroyer – Rudra.
6. As the various avatārās such as Sri Rāma, Sri Krishna, Sri Durga and Sri Kāli.
7. As the countless number of Jīvātmās in existence.
8. In the form of the very universe – Virāt Purusha
All of these constitute the different faces of the one Paramātma that is ultimately being worshipped when any of these forms are worshipped. In truth, the Supreme Power or Mahā Śakti alone is the Paramātma. The Divine Mother dons many forms and elevates her children through her grace. She conceals her power of illusion or māya within herself.
This Supreme Power is called “Shuddha Brahma” when devoid of all activity. She becomes “saguña” (with qualities) and “nirguña” (devoid of qualities) when her power of Will is manifested.
This Mulaprakriti undergoes various transformations and gives rise to the 24 tattvas and eventually to the creation of the manifested universe. The spiritual practitioner or sādhaka visualizes and invokes the Paramātma in a form that is dear to him such as Shiva, Vishnu or Dēvi.
The Paramātma assumes that form and graces the sādhaka and uplifts him from the gross to the subtle.
May the Mūlaprakriti who is but a form of the Paramātma grace and always protect our readers!