Parabrahman, Parabrahmā, Parabrahma, Para-brahman: 16 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Pancaratra
2. Purana
3. Vaishnavism
4. Yoga
India history
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Parabrahman means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्) refers to the “eternal being”, as discussed in the second chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).—[Cf. the chapter ṣaḍguṇyabrahmaviveka]: [...] Ahirbudhnya (Śiva) says that what he knows about Sudarśana came to him, after penance, from Saṃkarṣaṇa. Moreover he learned a good deal about Eternal Being (parabrahman) at that same time and will share these insights also with Nārada (3-7a). [...] As for whatever questions that Nārada may have about the inherent or acquired nature of these powers, Śiva then turns directly to a discussion of the Eternal Being—known variously as Parabrahman, Vāsudeva, Nitya, Ātman, Avyakta, Pradhāna... Brahmā, Hiraṇyagarbha, Śiva, etc. (27-40)—and says that it cannot be described but only experienced in Liberation. [...]

Source: Hindupedia: Ahirbudhnya Saṃhita

Para-brahman, the Absolute, is the highest Truth. He is the One, without beginning or end, all-pervading, free from all blemishes, full and perfect. He resides in all beings and is called Nārāyaṇa. His real nature can be experienced only in the state of liberation, which again is possible only by His grace and not by one’s own efforts.

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्).—The Supreme Spirit. General information. Brahman is the root cause of this universe. From Brahman originated Ākāśa (sky). From sky came air, from air came Agni and from Agni came water and from water was born this earth. (Chapter 377, Agni Purāṇa). (See full article at Story of Parabrahman from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्) refers to the “Supreme Brahman” which one is able to realise due to perfect knowledge (vijñāna), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.12, while explaining details of worship:—“[...] if one associates with good people (satsaṃgati), one will come across a preceptor (Guru). From the preceptor mantras and the modes of worship (pūjā) can be learned. Bhakti (devotion) is generated by worship and it gives birth to knowledge (jñāna). Knowledge leads to perfect knowledge (vijñāna) and realisation of the supreme Brahman (Parabrahman). When there is perfect knowledge, differentiations (bheda) cease altogether. When differentiation ceases, the misery of mutually clashing opposites (dvandvaduḥkha) vanishes. He who is free from the tangle of opposites and the miseries attendant on them assumes the form of Śiva (śivarūpa)”.

2) Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्) refers to the “pure Brahman”, and represents an epithet of Śiva used in Sandhyā’s eulogy of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.6. Accordingly:—“[...] Directly perceiving the lord of Durgā she [viz., Sandhyā] eulogised the lord of the worlds: [...] Thou art, the greatest supreme soul. Thou art Śiva, the various lores, the pure Brahman (parabrahman), the supreme Brahman and the utmost object of deliberation”.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्) refers to the “equilibrium of the three guṇas” representing a primordial state of Śiva, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—While discussing the topic of sarga (creation or evolution of the Universe), the Saurapurāṇa says that Lord Śiva exists firstly as the unmanifested infinite, unknowable and ultimate director. But He is also called the unmanifested, eternal, cosmic cause which is both being and nonbeing and is indentified with Prakṛti. In this aspect He is regarded as Para-Brahman, the equilibrium of the three guṇas.

In this state the Puruṣa exists within Himself as it were and this is also called the state of Prakṛtapralaya.. From this state of Unmanifestedness God begins to assert Himself as God and enters into Prakṛti and Puruṣa by His own inner intimate contact. This existence of God may be compared with the sex-impulse in man or woman which exists within them and manifests itself only as a creative impulse although remaining one and the same with them all the while

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Parabrahma (परब्रह्म) refers to “the Supreme Absolute Truth, Śrī Kṛṣṇa; the supreme brahma (See brahma)”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Edition

Parabrahma (परब्रह्म) refers to:—The Supreme brahma, Śrī Bhagavān. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्) refers to:—The Supreme Brahman. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brahma-samhita

Parabrahma (परब्रह्म) refers to—Supreme Brahman.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्) refers to the “highest Brahma”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] [Now], I will teach the practice of that, which produces absorption. [...] When [the Yogin] has become impartial to all things and free from activity, then the Yogin, who is fixed in the highest Brahma (parabrahman) [parabrahmaṇi], has arrived at absorption. [...]”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Parabrahman.—(IE 7-1-2), ‘one’. Note: parabrahman is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्).—n. the Supreme Spirit; cf. लीने परे ब्रह्मणि (līne pare brahmaṇi) Bh. परे ब्रह्मणि कोऽपि न लग्नः (pare brahmaṇi ko'pi na lagnaḥ) Śaṅkara (carpaṭapañjarikā 7).

Parabrahman is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms para and brahman (ब्रह्मन्).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्):—[=para-brahman] [from para] n. the Supreme Spirit or Brahman, [Bhartṛhari]

2) [v.s. ...] Name of anUp.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Parabrahman (परब्रह्मन्):—[para-brahman] (hma) 1. n. The Supreme Being, the great God.

[Sanskrit to German]

Parabrahman in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Parabrahma (ಪರಬ್ರಹ್ಮ):—[noun] the Absolute and Supreme Being.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 113 books and stories containing Parabrahman, Para-brahma, Para-brahmā, Para-brahman, Parabrahmā, Parabrahma, The parabrahman; (plurals include: Parabrahmans, brahmas, brahmās, brahmans, Parabrahmās, Parabrahmas, The parabrahmans). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

4.4a. Grace to Pramāṇas: The Divine Birth on Earth < [Chapter 2 - Analysis on the Basis Of Epistemology]

5.3. Kartā: Parabrahman as Omni-agent < [Chapter 3 - Analysis on the Basis of Metaphysics]

12.10. Prayer < [Chapter 4 - Analysis on the Basis of Spiritual Endeavour]

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Part 35.5 - Origin of Soul

Part 35.6 - The Attainment of Mukti

Part 35.1 - Sripati's Conception of the Material World

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1. Pañcabrahma Upaniṣad (Introduction) < [Chapter 5 - Essence of Pañcabrahma Upaniṣad]

8. Pañcabrahma Vidyā < [Chapter 5 - Essence of Pañcabrahma Upaniṣad]

7. The Parabrahman, the basis of dissolution < [Chapter 5 - Essence of Pañcabrahma Upaniṣad]

+ 8 more chapters / show preview