Page 6 - Bhakthinivedana 2011 September English Magazine.pmd

OUR A:LWA:RS

AND THE PRIZE BAG FELL DOWN…

Scriptures say that God is formless, devoid of qualities and is without the 5 sense elements.
Is this true? Let us discover the authentic answer to this popular statement.

Translated By K. Deepa Ramanuja Dasi

Once, Vallabhade:va, the king Ultimate Truth, by all scriptures like word nirguna means to be devoid
of Pa:ndya, arranged for a Upanishaths. He explained how of bad qualities. When God is said
convocation of scholars and asked the Lord Srimanna:ra:yana was to be saguna, then, it means that

them to determine the Ultimate Truth the cause of creation for both -the He alone possesses extraordinary,
which governs the entire cosmic nature and the sentient souls. divine qualities with a wonderful,
creation. Several months passed. most enchanting, beautiful form
None could successfully establish Vishnuchiththa elaborated further – that which is a divine and

the Supreme Reality. While this by beginning to describe God’s auspicious one! But God has been
was the state of affairs in Pa:ndya, form, nature and qualities. Let us described as formless, by some
there lived a great devotee called understand this in detail through scriptures and sruthis!
Vishnuchiththa in Srivillipuththu:r the following paragraphs. “The

who had been lovingly serving cause of this entire cosmic creation Yes! God does not have a
the Lord Vatapathrasa:yi by is generally attributed to words form which is impure, dirty and
weaving beautiful garlands. One like truth, Bramha, ether, light, composed of the 5 elements, like
day, ordained by the Providence, soul, Indra and so on. However, that of ours. Similarly, when the

he reached Pa:ndya kingdom, to all these words culminate into one sruthis declare that God does not
participate in the congregation of distinguished word ‘Na:ra:yana’. have the sense-elements, then it
learned scholars to speak about Hence the word Na:ra:yana only means that God, unlike us,
the science of Ultimate Truth. alone is the conclusive meaning does not depend on the senses to

After being received by the king for all these words. The word perform His actions. The sentient
with due honors, Vishnuchittha Na:ra:yana describes the Ultimate souls and non-sentient matter form
ascended the podium, fixated his Truth which is filled with all His body. He is the Supreme-
mind on the beautiful form of the auspicious qualities. A few verses One who is second to none!

Lord Vatapathrasa:yi and held in ve:da:s state that the Ultimate It is said that there is only ONE
his hands in prostration. Lo and Truth, GOD is nirguna - devoid Ultimate Truth. However, few
Behold! Beautiful and wondrous of all qualities. Whenever ve:da:s sruthis describe the Ultimate Truth
streams of words began to flow declare so, they actually mean with conflicting interpretations. A

extemporaneously!! He explained to say that God does not have few examples are those of God
about Srimanna:ra:yana who is inauspicious qualities like man being formless & with a form,
declared unanimously, to be the who is bound by nature. Hence the with & without qualities, dualism

6 Bhakthinivedana • Sep, Oct 2011