Talk:The Two Aspects Of Brahman –(Saguṇa And Nirguṇa):Does Brahman have a Form
By Sri Vishal Agarwal
The above definitions of Nirguṇa and Saguṇa Brahman reflect the actual situation in the most ancient Śāstras and philosophy. However, most lay peoples simply take Nirguṇa Brahman to mean the ineffable and formless aspect of Brahman (nirākāra), and Saguṇa Brahman to mean Brahman with a form (sākāra) that they worship.
In other words, Saguṇa Brahman is taken to mean the manifested Divine, whereas Nirguṇa Brahman is taken to mean the Formless or Non-Manifest Divine. When we worship Brahman in its formless nature, we are typically worshipping its ‘Impersonal form’. And when we worship it with a form such as Śiva, Devī, Viṣṇu etc., we are worshipping its ‘Personal’ form.
But how can the same Brahman exist as a formless entity and yet have a form? Saints explain using analogies. For instance, air is invisible and has no fixed form even though we can feel it. In a similar manner, the same Brahman can exist in numerous forms.
As Parabrahman (or Nirguṇa Brahman) and also as Antaryāmin, it is invisible and has no form (i.e., it is nirākāra). As Īśvara, it is invisible ordinarily, but has a fixed form. As an Avatāra, it is visible only during the duration of the Avatāra’s presence in our midst, but not thereafter, even though it has a fixed form. As a Mūrti, it has a fixed form and is visible till it falls apart. As a Vibhūti, it is visible but may or may not have a fixed form. But nevertheless, all of them are different aspects of the same Brahman.
As to why the Formless Brahman takes a form,sants have declared: There is really no difference between Saguṇa and Nirguṇa Brahman. The Munis, Purāṇas, Wise and the Vedas sing that the very Brahman which is without Guṇa, has no form, no characteristic and is unborn – that same Brahman becomes Saguṇa out of love for His devotees. — Tulsidas, Ramacaritmānas
Indeed, in connection with every aspect of Brahman that has a form, the scriptures reiterate that the Formless, Nirguṇa Brahman has assumed that form purely out of love and compassion for Its devotees. At least that is the view of the dominant philosophy of bhakti.