the self (atman) and the universe (brahman) - ie. pure and transcendent knowledge it is ominscience. These states are reached through various different practices of ascetics and meditations.- (v.) (in some respects this parallels with the Buddhist doctrine, which will mention in due course.) With all this talk about knowledge, you are probably quite bewildered about what this knowledge actually entails. It is the knowledge of the true self (atman) and the underlying truth of the universe (brahman), essentially these two become one in the full realisation of the two. There is a hymn in the Artharva-Veda, which seems to contain this whole ideology in a nutshell. In the lotus of mine doors (the human body) enveloped in the three strands there dwells a supernatural being possessed of Atman: this do those who know Brahman know. Free from desire it is, wise, immortal, self-resistant, delighting in ( its own sweet) savour, no wise lacking. Knowing this Atman, wise and ageless (yet ever) young, one had no fear of death. - Artharva-Veda - Zaehner - Hinduism. In short the Atman is the essence of the human soul, and the Brahman is the changeless ground of the universe which is at the same time the source of all change. Here are two quotes that might help to illustrate this idea of Brahma, and Atman which could never be described in temporal or spatial terms. the essence of the self is absolute, realised within the self - Flood - Introduction to Hinduism. To illustrate Brahman we use a well known simile. Brahman is like salt when dissolved in water. You know it is there, you can not see it, only experience it through your senses. The brahman is the womb of both the existent and the non-existant. - Atharva Veda - Hopkins - Hindu Religious Tradition. All things derive from Brahma and are supported by it - to know Brahma is to know the essence of everything, (ie. Atman) - Brahman is not only the basic principle of the cosmos;...
