Saguna Brahman is non different Nirguna Brahman- Excerpts from Sri Ekanath Bhagavatham

Teaching of the non-difference of Saguna and Nirguna Tattvam by Sri Krishna to Uddhava (as per Sri Ekanath's Bhagavatha)

Ref: Chapter 21 of XI th Skandham of Ekanathi Bhagavatham

(Given below is the slightly modified (reworded) version of Sri D.A. Ghaisas ji translation into English, the original Marathi commentary by great Saint - Sri Ekanath).

(Sri Ekanath)

*Based on Verses 472 - 482 in Chapter 21 of 11th Skandham*

The difference that I am God and he is my devotee, is only outward, only of the name. Now I will tell you about the division related to knowledge (i.e. essence of Vedas - Vedanta).

The consciousness (chaithanyam) which is reflected in the field of the Maya is called you. Because of ignorance it is called the soul, the Jeeva. Now there is that consciousness (chaithanyam) which is the cause of the beginning of the world, all-seeing, allknowing, it is eternally glorious beyond our concept.

This (pointing to Himself) is Shiva whose natural power is never curbed by anything and anybody, who is always fully identical with the highest bliss (Paramananda)

Jeeva is called You or *Twam*

Shiva is indicated by *Tat*



*[* *Notes* : 

Direct Meanings: - 
Tat - Isvara; 
Tvam - Jeeva

Inferred Meanings: - 
Tat - Consciousness (Brahman) - unconditioned by Sristi, Stithi, Laya, Tirodhana, Anugraha & Isvarathvam (JnAnam, Balam, Veeryam etc). 

Tvam - Consciousness (Atman) - unconditioned by body, mind, vasanas, pancha kosha & mainly Avidya (Ignorance) 

So in and as Pure consciousness - Atma Chaithanyam - exhibits the very same Svarupa Lakshanam of Brahman (Satyam - existence, jnAnam - consciousness, Anantam - beyond time,space, Brahman - Divine Infinite Reality). 

Hence the Vedic Mantra - *Tat-Tvam-Asi* - That Your Are - gives us the knowledge of our infinite nature as Pure Consciousness - Atman. 

*<end of notes>]*



When the ignorance of Jeeva (finite conditioning) is left out and the omniscience of Shiva (infinite glory of Isvara) is also negated, what remains is to be held and accepted completely.

For example a husband who was young and beautiful, went to other countries and after some years returned. At that time he looked older more strong and more powerful. His wife recognizes him as her husband negating both his younger form and also his new strong youth, but follows her understanding of the man, the spirit in his body.

Similarly O Uddhava, you (Jeeva) and that (Ishvara) are the names given to two qualifications (Upadhis) of what is THE ONE and ONLY EXISTENCE (Sat) - Brahman.

The Upadhis (jeevathvam, isvarathvam) are to be set aside by our mind (based on Sraddha on Sastram, Guru, Yukti - Right Reasoning) & recognize the One undivided Existence which is Brahman (as pure existence, consciousnes, bliss).

Uddhava, this is the final essence of the division of Veda related to knowledge (i.e. Upanisads or Brahma Vidya).

*Based on verses 514 - 530*

"O Uddhava, there is no other meaning of any kind, of this Veda and what I have told you is the only purpose, the meaning & essence of Veda.

When one concentrates on this real meaning that I am the final goal defined in Vedas, the duality between the Jeeva and Shiva comes to an end and there is only Anandam"

Uddhava having listened to this talk of the Lord,  his mind was filled with that meaning, tears came to his eyes and mind merged into His Self and swam in joy (AtmAnandam).  His body manifested the pleasurable sensation of inner-joy and there were goose-pimples all over. There was choking sensation in his throat by emotion. His body was full of sweat. It began to shiver. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes. The words refused to come out of his mouth. He began to feel giddy. But by effort he controlled himself.

Somehow his mind came back to normal awareness. Then a thought arose in his mind the Lord may suddenly leave him. So he opened his eyes apprehensively.

But, there stood the Lord Shri Krishna before him in this beautiful body of dark colour, his crown, earrings and waistband, the yellow apparel around his lower body and the long garland of white flowers hanging down upto his feet.

Uddhava experienced the "same" AtmAnandam (which he experienced earlier in his Self) and as soon as he opened his mind he saw that spirit in the form of Shri Krishna. Uddhava said to himself – “Shri Krishna is consciousness condensed into human form. He pervades the Universe and as the totality of Brahman including Saguna, Nirguna aspects”

Great was the fortune of Uddhava which is nothing but the result of blessings of Lord Shri Krishna because he had experienced then and there the joy of both the Saguna and Nirguna aspects.

The full benediction of the Satguru is always there. All that a devotee has to do is to cultivate the desire, the aspiration, to realize the Truth. If he wants to see God in a Human form or Image (the material manifestation) then Guru endows upon him, the power to see God as he wants. If the disciple wants to enjoy the Nirguna Tattvam (i.e. Atma Tattvam) the Guru gives him the power to experience the joy of formless, timeless, measureless, pure Brahman, in & as Atman (Self).

Guru is able to give to the disciple capacity to swim in the pool of joy of both – the Isvara - Saguna Rupam and the ever present Atma Chaithanyam  (Nirguna Brahman). Great is the glory and power of the Guru, which the Vedas cannot describe adequately. What is it which is not available if guru blesses a man?

By the grace of the Lord Shri Krishna, this knowledge that Shri Krishna is both Saguna and Nirguna arose in the heart of Uddhava. He was convinced about it. He immediately fell down at the feet of the Lord Shri Krishna.

At that moment, the Lord (our of Great Love for Uddhava) held Uddhava by all his four hands, which were decorated by bracelet (kankana), and embraced him with great joy. 

That joy can be understood only by those who have Realization. Only Lord Shri Krishna knows what joy Uddhava experienced.