Talk:Saguṇa Brahman as Vibhūti-s

By Sri Vishal Agarwal

The Avatāra-s appear at a definite moment in history and then merge back into Bhagavān after their purpose is over. In addition to these temporary emanations of Īśvara, there are the more permanent manifestations as mentioned by the 10th chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā. These manifestations are called the ‘‘Vibhūti-s’’, which means manifestations of the glory, power, love, beauty and other positive attributes of Brahman.

In chapter 10 of the Gītā, Kṛṣṇa explains that the entire universe, non-living as well as comprising living beings, constitutes his glories (‘‘vibhūti-s’’). Brahman abides in them, controls them, fashions them, enjoys them, and since their very existence is eternally dependent on Him. When Arjuna asks Kṛṣṇa to describe completely the Vibhūti-s, Kṛṣṇa responds that they are infinite and cannot be described to a human being completely. But Kṛṣṇa offers to list the chief of his Vibhūti-s, which are the best in their class: for example, the best of all the trees, the best of all rivers, the best of warriors, the best of all mountains, and so on.

Mahādevan, the great scholar of Hindu dharm, explains the concept of Vibhūti-s and Mūrti-s as symbols of Brahman – "It is of course, difficult to see Bhagavān in everything. In fact, to realize the Self in and as all is the height of spiritual experience. So, as a discipline that will eventually lead to the goal, one is asked to see the face of Bhagavān in whichever thing that has prowess, splendor and rectitude. Illustrating this truth in the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa identifies himself with the best of every kind, e.g., the Himālaya among the mountains, the Gaṅgā among the rivers, Vāsudeva among the Vṛṣṇis and Arjuna among the Pāṇḍavas Gītā 10.25–37. The great mountains and the big rivers, majestic trees and fine animals, heroic men and women – in fact, all things that have excellence thus become objects of veneration."

The important point to re-emphasize is that this list of Vibhūti-s in the Gītā is illustrative because they do not exhaust the powers and glories of Brahman. Kṛṣṇa therefore concludes the description of Vibhūti-s with the following words –

Kṛṣṇa said to Arjuna: "Whatever thing there is, endowed with glory and grace and vigor, know that it has sprung from a fraction of My splendor." ''Gītā 10.41

We may summarize the concept of Vibhūti-s in the following words –

"Hindus believe that Bhagavān is omnipresent and the same spirit pervades everywhere. Just as thread is common to all fabric or mud is common to all earthen pots, so the same universal spirit abides in all beings. One concept is that divine glory is manifested more prominently in certain beings or objects which are called ‘vibhūti-s’.

Electricity is energy which is invisible but whose presence can be experienced through innumerable appliances such as bulbs, fans, motors and so on. Similarly, the presence of Bhagavān as universal spirit can be noticeably experienced in certain objects. Even inanimate objects may be significant bearers of the spirit. A mighty ocean, a lofty mountain, an immensely radiant star like the sun, for example, are all vibhūti-s."