In Hinduism, the concept of God transcends ordinary dimensions and existence. Hindu philosophy often describes God as being beyond the confines of space and time, embodying an omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient reality. This idea is articulated in several ways, reflecting the diverse theological perspectives within Hinduism.
Brahman - The Ultimate Reality:
- Beyond Space and Time: Brahman, in Advaita Vedanta, is considered the ultimate, unchanging reality amidst and beyond the world of change. It is described as Nirguna (without attributes) and Saguna (with attributes). As Nirguna, Brahman is formless, beyond human comprehension, and not bound by space and time. It is the infinite, unmanifested essence that underlies the entire universe.
- Simultaneously Immanent and Transcendent: Brahman is also seen as Saguna, taking on various forms and attributes to become accessible to human devotion. This duality means Brahman is simultaneously immanent (present within the universe) and transcendent (existing beyond physical reality).
Ishvara - The Personal God:
- Immanent and Accessible: While Brahman is the abstract, formless reality, Ishvara is the personal aspect of God, embodied in deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi. These deities are worshipped as having specific forms and attributes, making the divine more relatable to devotees.
- Beyond Ordinary Dimensions: Even as personal deities, these forms of Ishvara are not confined by space and time. They manifest within the universe yet remain beyond its limitations. This is illustrated in various Hindu scriptures, where deities perform cosmic functions and transcend ordinary spatial-temporal boundaries.
The Bhagavad Gita - A Key Text:
- Krishna's Revelation: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reveals his universal form (Vishvarupa) to Arjuna, showing that he pervades and transcends all of creation. This vision includes past, present, and future simultaneously, emphasizing Krishna’s existence beyond time.
- Timelessness: Krishna explains that he is both immanent in the world and yet beyond it, a timeless entity that is the source and sustainer of all existence.
Vedic and Upanishadic Insights:
- Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art): This Mahavakya (great saying) from the Chandogya Upanishad highlights the non-duality of Atman (individual soul) and Brahman. It suggests that the true self of each individual is not limited by space and time and is one with the infinite Brahman.
- Eternal and Infinite: The Upanishads describe the nature of Brahman as "Sat-Chit-Ananda" (being-consciousness-bliss), emphasizing its eternal, infinite, and blissful nature, untouched by the temporal world.
Philosophical Schools and Interpretation:
- Advaita Vedanta: This school of thought, established by Adi Shankaracharya, strongly emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality, where the distinction between the individual soul (Atman) and Brahman is ultimately illusory. In this view, God is the sole reality, beyond time and space, with the apparent world being a manifestation of Maya (illusion).
- Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita: Other schools like Dvaita (dualism) and Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) also acknowledge the transcendence of God but maintain a distinction between the individual soul and the supreme being.
In summary, Hinduism presents a multi-faceted view of God, encompassing both an abstract, formless reality and personal deities that engage with the world. These perspectives converge on the idea that God transcends the ordinary dimensions of space and time while also being intimately present within them. This profound and intricate understanding underscores the belief in a divine presence that is both immanent and transcendent, accessible yet beyond human grasp.