In Hindu religion, Bhagavan the Supreme Being who is the object of love, knowledge and worship of all beings. In Hinduism, Bhagavan is the most common term used for the Absolute that creates, sustains and dissolves with Bhaga – wealth, fame or luster. Srimad Bhagavata Purana (I.2.11), in a bid to drive home the point that Brahman, Paramatman and Bhagavan are essentially one and the same, brings out their subtle differences, emphasizing its own preference for Bhagavan. It declares Krishna as Bhagavan himself, other incarnations being his partial manifestations (Krishnastu Bhagavan Swayam).
Brahman, the absolute, is impersonal, inactive, devoid of
limiting adjuncts, and is of the nature of pristine purity of the self. Such a
concept does not suggest intimate communion between Bhagavan (object of
devotion) and his bhakta (devotee). A devotee craves for something concrete and
substantial in the form of an object of his devotion, responsive enough to his
prayers. This object is best realized in the form of Bhagavan, at times
personalized as an ideal parent, husband, son or ruler. It is in this context
that avataras or incarnations of Bhagavan, described in Puranas such as
Bhagavatam, become meaningful.
One of the attributes of Bhagavan is his purnatva or
perfection. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (5.1.1) says – He (Supreme Truth) is perfect
(or full), this (the act of manifestation) is perfect, the perfect has emanated
from the perfect (and) what remains of the perfect after having taken away
perfect (from it) is the perfect (itself)’. The other attributes of nigraha
(removal of the wicked) and anugraha (bestowing of favors on the virtuous), as
well as the sadgunas or six divine attributes, make the picture of Bhagavan
complete. He represents the pinnacle of perfection to which nothing can be
added and from which nothing can be deducted. The lilakamala or the sportive
lotus of Bhagavan is the very symbol or purport of Bhaga, signifying abundance
of riches and beauty (Srimad Bhagavad Purana XII.11.18 – Bhagavan bhaga
shabdartham lila kamalam udvahan….)
In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Adi Shankaracharya explains
the word ‘Bhagavan’ as the one who possesses six virtues – knowledge, auspiciousness,
power, strength, prowess and effulgence (jnana, Aishwarya, shakti, bala, veerya
and effulgence.
Narayana Bhattathiri says in his Narayaniyam (I.10), that
the term (Bhagavan) aptly applies to Bhagavan Sri Krishna alone. Hence his
words of instruction and advice to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra are
called the Bhagavad Gita (the song of the Bhagavan). The devotee of Bhagavan is
Bhagavata.
The term Bhagavan today is also used as an epithet for
respectable individuals or teachers.