Qualities of God
In the Hindu philosophy, there are three major characteristics attributed to Brahm (God):-
Namely: Sat, Chit, and Aanand.
By putting these three Sanskrit words together, God is known as Sachidaanand Bhagvaan.
1. SAT - means Eternal Truth.
Truth, that never changes or vanishes - That which always was and always will be.
Guru Nanak also preached the same concept by saying:
"Aadi Such, Jugaadi Such, Hai bhi Such, Nanak hosi bhi Such"
2. CHIT - Means Consciousness or Knowledge.
That, which knows all and is the master of all the knowledge.
3. AANAND - Means Happiness or Bliss.
The bliss that is undisturbed - never changing.
Obviously, these qualities cannot be attributed to any physical existence - any living being or a non-living object.
Therefore, All major Indian philosophies such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Nirankaris etc. describe God as Niraakar (Formless).
There are three basic fundamental aims or objectives that more or less every living creature wants to achieve. However, these desires or objectives are most prominent in the life of human beings. The three objectives of our life are the same as above: Sat, Chit and Aanand
1. Sat: Survival - Desire to live
2. Chit: To gain knowledge
3. Aanand: To achieve happiness
1. Survival – No one wants to die
To survive is the first and foremost yearning, which every creature on the earth has. It’s a natural instinct. All big or small creatures, when faced with a life-threatening situation - either run, hide or fight with their opponents in order to survive. However, humans - possessing the faculty of higher knowledge can apply many more strategies to ensure their survival. From early on, like some other species of animals, humans lived and moved in groups to keep themselves safe from the predators. They learned how to do farming, to make sure there will be enough food for everyone. From making tools for hunting to making weapons of mass destruction of the enemies – from finding medicines to fight diseases to developing surgical skills to improve health etc. - are all part of the ‘survival’.
Not only to prolong life but to find immortality has been a major desire of human beings since the dawn of civilization.
Finding or discovering the ways to achieve ‘immortality’ is the first and foremost common goal of both; science and the religion or spiritual philosophies. Whereas Science looks for the ways to achieve physical immortality – Religion and Spirituality are concerned about the immortality of the Soul.
But nevertheless – 'Immortality' is the primary goal.
2. To Gain Knowledge
Humans are curious by nature. As soon as their motor skills improve, newly born babies start exploring and curiously observing everything around them – by rapidly moving their eyes or continually turning their necks to all sides - or by staring at a certain object for long. Since everything they see around is new to them – every sound, smell and touch is also something new to them - they try to grasp and understand as much as they can according to their limited capabilities at that age. The only experience they have so far – right from the time of birth - is of Taste through the mouth. Therefore, they put everything they can get hold of into their mouth – in order to know and experience it with the only way they have known so far.
As soon as they start speaking, toddlers have never-ending questions to satisfy their curiosity. They constantly keep asking the parents or older siblings about everything they see. “What is this, what is that, what is that?"
"What, Why and How" … seem to be their most favorite dialogues at that age. Almost all parents face this kind of frustrating situations when the children keep asking the same question over and over– sometimes even to the point of their annoyance. But nevertheless, children will keep on asking until they understand it completely, or at least - partially.
Later, the level of man’s curiosity expands to much wider surroundings. All fields of education, scientific or spiritual - from simple inquiries to the deeper meaning of life - are the extensions of this basic desire - the desire to know more. All technologies and scientific discoveries – from simple things to exploration of the universe are the results of this basic human nature – ‘To gain more knowledge’.
In other words, everything we do after ensuring our survival is to gain knowledge and to achieve happiness.
Now, as we can see, these three objectives mentioned above are exactly the same as the three major qualities of the Almighty God; the source of all life. In other words - the purpose or objective of our life - directly or indirectly - is to achieve the qualities of God and ultimately become like God or to merge into God.
'Rajan Sachdeva'
In the Hindu philosophy, there are three major characteristics attributed to Brahm (God):-
Namely: Sat, Chit, and Aanand.
By putting these three Sanskrit words together, God is known as Sachidaanand Bhagvaan.
1. SAT - means Eternal Truth.
Truth, that never changes or vanishes - That which always was and always will be.
Guru Nanak also preached the same concept by saying:
"Aadi Such, Jugaadi Such, Hai bhi Such, Nanak hosi bhi Such"
2. CHIT - Means Consciousness or Knowledge.
That, which knows all and is the master of all the knowledge.
3. AANAND - Means Happiness or Bliss.
The bliss that is undisturbed - never changing.
Obviously, these qualities cannot be attributed to any physical existence - any living being or a non-living object.
Therefore, All major Indian philosophies such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Nirankaris etc. describe God as Niraakar (Formless).
Purpose/ Objectives of Life
There are three basic fundamental aims or objectives that more or less every living creature wants to achieve. However, these desires or objectives are most prominent in the life of human beings. The three objectives of our life are the same as above: Sat, Chit and Aanand
1. Sat: Survival - Desire to live
2. Chit: To gain knowledge
3. Aanand: To achieve happiness
1. Survival – No one wants to die
To survive is the first and foremost yearning, which every creature on the earth has. It’s a natural instinct. All big or small creatures, when faced with a life-threatening situation - either run, hide or fight with their opponents in order to survive. However, humans - possessing the faculty of higher knowledge can apply many more strategies to ensure their survival. From early on, like some other species of animals, humans lived and moved in groups to keep themselves safe from the predators. They learned how to do farming, to make sure there will be enough food for everyone. From making tools for hunting to making weapons of mass destruction of the enemies – from finding medicines to fight diseases to developing surgical skills to improve health etc. - are all part of the ‘survival’.
Not only to prolong life but to find immortality has been a major desire of human beings since the dawn of civilization.
Finding or discovering the ways to achieve ‘immortality’ is the first and foremost common goal of both; science and the religion or spiritual philosophies. Whereas Science looks for the ways to achieve physical immortality – Religion and Spirituality are concerned about the immortality of the Soul.
But nevertheless – 'Immortality' is the primary goal.
2. To Gain Knowledge
Humans are curious by nature. As soon as their motor skills improve, newly born babies start exploring and curiously observing everything around them – by rapidly moving their eyes or continually turning their necks to all sides - or by staring at a certain object for long. Since everything they see around is new to them – every sound, smell and touch is also something new to them - they try to grasp and understand as much as they can according to their limited capabilities at that age. The only experience they have so far – right from the time of birth - is of Taste through the mouth. Therefore, they put everything they can get hold of into their mouth – in order to know and experience it with the only way they have known so far.
As soon as they start speaking, toddlers have never-ending questions to satisfy their curiosity. They constantly keep asking the parents or older siblings about everything they see. “What is this, what is that, what is that?"
"What, Why and How" … seem to be their most favorite dialogues at that age. Almost all parents face this kind of frustrating situations when the children keep asking the same question over and over– sometimes even to the point of their annoyance. But nevertheless, children will keep on asking until they understand it completely, or at least - partially.
Later, the level of man’s curiosity expands to much wider surroundings. All fields of education, scientific or spiritual - from simple inquiries to the deeper meaning of life - are the extensions of this basic desire - the desire to know more. All technologies and scientific discoveries – from simple things to exploration of the universe are the results of this basic human nature – ‘To gain more knowledge’.
3. To achieve happiness
The third basic thing everyone wants - is to find happiness. We try to get more education, achieve more skills and work harder to be able to make more money to ensure security and happiness in the future – discover new technologies and invent new gadgets in order to live more comfortably and happily. Traveling, tourism, sports and all kinds of entertainments and modes of pleasure are for the sake of happiness. If possible, we even want to consume our food - though it’s a basic requirement for survival - in different forms and varieties to derive more pleasure out of it. In other words, everything we do after ensuring our survival is to gain knowledge and to achieve happiness.
Now, as we can see, these three objectives mentioned above are exactly the same as the three major qualities of the Almighty God; the source of all life. In other words - the purpose or objective of our life - directly or indirectly - is to achieve the qualities of God and ultimately become like God or to merge into God.
'Rajan Sachdeva'
Interesting Uncle ji never looked at it like that. Thank you
ReplyDeleteSuccinctly explained ....I had recently read a book "Sapiens" which gives all the scientific and anthropological proofs of all the three concepts you have explained above that humans have been constantly looking for, Survival, To Gain Knowledge & Achieving happiness .... Thank you for sharing ....
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ReplyDeleteThanks for this unique perspective 🙏 this is a very subtle concept but you were able to grab it and share it with us.
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