Vedas have designated Brahman by OM – the imperishable letter.
The teaching of Madhvacharya that "Parabrahman never undergoes any type of modification with the passage of time. Parabrahman ever remains the same," is a profound statement within the context of his Dvaita Vedanta philosophy. Let's expand on its meaning and implications.
The Concept of Parabrahman
In Hindu philosophy, Parabrahman refers to the Supreme Reality, the ultimate, unchanging reality that transcends all existence and non-existence. It is often described as being beyond human comprehension and devoid of any form or attributes that can be perceived by the senses or the mind.
Madhvacharya's Dvaita Vedanta
Madhvacharya, a 13th-century Indian philosopher, is the proponent of the Dvaita (dualistic) school of Vedanta. In contrast to the Advaita (non-dualistic) philosophy of Shankara, which posits that the individual soul (Atman) and Brahman are ultimately one, Madhvacharya's Dvaita philosophy maintains a strict distinction between the individual soul (Jiva) and the Supreme Being (Parabrahman).
The Teaching: Parabrahman and Time
The statement that Parabrahman "never undergoes any type of modification with the passage of time" and "ever remains the same" emphasizes several key points:
Immutability:
- Unchanging Nature: Parabrahman is immutable, meaning it does not change or undergo any form of modification. Unlike all created entities that are subject to change, decay, and transformation, Parabrahman remains eternally the same.
- Beyond Temporal Influence: Parabrahman exists beyond the realm of time. It is not affected by the past, present, or future, and thus remains eternally constant.
Eternal Consistency:
- Consistency in Essence: The essence or nature of Parabrahman is consistent and unaltered. This consistency is what makes Parabrahman the ultimate reality, as it is not subject to the fluctuations and vicissitudes that characterize the material world and individual souls.
- Perfect State: Parabrahman exists in a state of absolute perfection. Any form of change would imply a movement towards or away from perfection, which is not applicable to the Supreme Reality.
Implications for Devotion and Worship:
- Reliability and Trust: For devotees, the unchanging nature of Parabrahman provides a reliable and trustworthy foundation for worship and devotion. The knowledge that Parabrahman is eternally constant assures devotees that their reverence is directed towards an eternally perfect being.
- Eternal Support: The constancy of Parabrahman offers an eternal support system for the souls. In the dualistic framework of Madhvacharya, the Jiva relies on the grace and support of the immutable Parabrahman for its spiritual progress.
Philosophical Contrast:
- Contrast with Creation: The unchanging nature of Parabrahman is contrasted with the changing nature of the universe and the souls within it. This distinction underscores the dualistic nature of Madhvacharya’s philosophy, where the eternal Parabrahman is separate from the mutable creation.
- Rejection of Monism: Madhvacharya’s teaching rejects the monistic idea that everything is ultimately one and the same. Instead, it upholds the view that while the universe and souls are distinct and undergo change, Parabrahman remains perpetually the same.
Madhvacharya’s teaching that Parabrahman is unchanging and eternal serves as a cornerstone of his Dvaita Vedanta philosophy. It affirms the transcendence and perfection of the Supreme Reality, providing a firm foundation for devotion and spiritual practice. By maintaining that Parabrahman is beyond the influence of time and modification, Madhvacharya highlights the eternal and immutable nature of the ultimate reality, setting it apart from the temporal and ever-changing existence of the material world and individual souls.