Absolutes Quote by Sivananda
![“The impersonal aspect [of God] (Nirakara, Nirguna) is called Brahman, or 'unknowable' by Herbert Spencer, 'will' by Schopenhauer, Absolute Noumenon by some 'substance' by Spinoza. The personal aspect (Sakara) of that Being is termed 'Ishvara' or Allah, Hari, Jehova, Father in Heaven, Buddha, Siva…” quote by Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1cf/sivananda-7251_absolutes_the-impersonal-aspect-of-god-nirakara-ni_611295.jpg)
“The impersonal aspect [of God] (Nirakara, Nirguna) is called Brahman, or 'unknowable' by Herbert Spencer, 'will' by Schopenhauer, Absolute Noumenon by some 'substance' by Spinoza. The personal aspect (Sakara) of that Being is termed 'Ishvara' or Allah, Hari, Jehova, Father in Heaven, Buddha, Siva, etc. Just as vapour or steam is formless, so also God is formless in His unmanifested or transcendental state.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Comparative Religion, 19th century commentary
The quote contrasts impersonal, abstract conceptions of the divine with personal, anthropomorphic ones, highlighting philosophical interpretations across traditions.
In simple terms: God can be seen as formless or as a personal being.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both abstract and personal aspects in spiritual thinking.
Themes
theity
philosophy
theology
comparative religion
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- academic study
- interfaith dialogue
- personal meditation
- theological education
Key Concepts
Nirguna
Sakara
Brahman
Ishvara
Noumenon
Substance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile abstract and personal views of the divine?
- What impact does this have on worship?
A Different Perspective
Abstract concepts may be hard to relate to everyday experience.
![“[God is] the eternal, independent, and self existent Being; the Being whose purposes and actions spring from himself, without foreign motive or influence; he who is absolute in dominion; the most pure, the most simple, the most spiritual of all essences; infinitely perfect; and eternally…” quote by Adam Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f83/adam-clarke-14388_god_god-is-the-eternal-independent-and-self_1574867.jpg)
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
