What this Book is About?

This book contains 25 informative and well researched articles about the meaning and significance of Brahman, the highest God of Hinduism. It explains his various aspects and importance in the development of Vedic thought and the philosophy of the Upanishads, the nature of Self, the nature of creation, and the relationship between Brahman, the universal Self and Atman, the individual Self. There is also a glossary of Brahman and related words and bibliography.

Brahman is the highest God of Hinduism who is worshipped in various forms but not directly. He is the God of gods, the Supreme Self, Creator, preserver and Destroyer. Brahma Vishnu Siva are His names only. Many Hindus even the most serious practitioners of Hinduism do not know about Brahman. For the first time in the history of Hinduism there is a book exclusively devoted to Brahman. This book is the result of an extensive research on the subject of Brahman. This book is unique. You will not find another with this much information on Brahman.

Why you should read this book

After reading this book, you will be surprised to know how much you do not know about the mystery and history associated with this highest Deity of Sanatana Dharma. You will be introduced to many important concepts associated him such as the following. 1. Why Brahman is equated with the Vedas. 2. Why sacrifices are important in Hinduism. 3. Why sounds carry such importance in the Vedas and why Brahman is equated with sounds. 4. Brahman in relation to other gods of Hinduism. 5. Why food is offered in the Vedic sacrifices. 6. The real and hidden meaning of Brahman. 7. The ritual Brahman we do not know. 8. Why it is not possible to know Barman intellectually. 9. Why Brahman is not worshipped in the temples directly. 10. The various Brahma Vidyas and their significance. 11. The positive and negative aspects and descriptions of Brahman. 12. The various ways in which seers worshipped Brahman in the ancient times. 13. Brahmopasana, how you may worship Brahman as a personal God. 14. Distinction between Brahman and Brahma Prajapati. 15. Why the worship of Brahma in temples declined. 16. class warfare between priests and warrior class and its historic significance. 17. The secrets of Nidhidhyasana, the contemplation of Brahman. 18. The significance and symbolism of Brahman priest in Vedic sacrifices. 19. Aspects of Brahman. 20. How the concept of God and elements of monotheism found their way into Hinduism. And much more!

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Table of Contents

Contents - Author’s Note
Brahman, in the Vedic Tradition
Brahman as Power and Potency
The Symbolism of Food - The Ritual Brahman We Have Forgotten
I Know Him and I Know Him Not
Thou Art That
The Creator and the Created
Brahman as the Sacred Sound
Brahman in Temple Worship
Brahmavidays – Ways to Realize Brahman
The Creator God of the Upanishads
The Attributes of Brahman
Brahmopasana – The Paths To Liberation
Brahman as Isvara, the Personal God
Brahman and Brahma Prajapati
Nidhidhyasana – The Contemplation of Brahman
Brahman and the Brahman Priest
Difficulties in Knowing Brahman
Aspects of Brahman
Hinduism and the Belief in one God
Elements of Monotheism in Early Vedic Tradition
The Paradox of Knowing Brahman
Brahman and Atman, the Individual Self
Bhagavan – The Glorious God
Brahman in Advaita and Dvaita Schools
The Glossary of Brahma (n) and Related Words
Bibliography.

Author's Note (An Excerpt)

If the Vedas are the heart of Hinduism, Brahman is the heart and soul of the Vedas. This book is a theistic representation of the highest God of Hinduism, Brahman, based on my study and understanding of the Samhitas, the Upanishads and various schools of Hindu philosophy. Brahman is not God in the traditional sense. To describe Him as God from the narrow and simplistic perspective of a religious dogma is to diminish His immensity and unconditional universality. Nor is He a mere Creator in the traditional sense of a magician or a miracle worker. He does not entirely fit into the traditional dualistic views of God with which we are familiar. He reveals Himself to the extent you unwind yourself. He manifests when you disappear into yourself. He is the ultimate and absolute principle, who is the source of all sources. He is the God of gods and creator of the creator gods. He is the mysterious force that moves everything, yet remains incognito. Our words are inadequate to describe Him and our intellect is insufficient to understand Him. Although He is the highest God of Hinduism, He is relatively unknown and rarely spoken about except in spiritual circles as the inmost Self or the universal Self. The Vedas are all about Brahman. The knowledge of the Vedas is traditionally deemed the knowledge of Brahman. Its secrets are hidden in the subtle nuances of sounds coming from the heavens rather than the intellect of the human minds. Hidden within the Vedas are the mystic sounds filled with the power and presence of Brahman. However, few people know that the Vedas are not about gods but about Brahman. They do not know that the structure of the Vedas is consistent with the Vedic worldview, which revolves around Brahman and in which there is an equal emphasis on balance, order and the need to pursue both material and spiritual goals. I hope from this work the readers will get a glimpse of the supreme Brahman and His importance in the continuity of the eternal tradition we know as Hinduism. From Brahman, by Jayaram.