what is the difference between the Nirgun and Sagun Brahama?

Answer 1

The ultimate brahman is Nirakara - without form, Nirvikalpa - without any change, Nirguna - without or mbeyond gunas etc. Brahman in this form can not be seen but only be felt. This is possible only for great Rishis to visualise

When the Brahman desires to manifest in normal form the first thing that comes out is Gunas. They are Satwa, Rajas and Tamo gunas. When the gunas emerge it is the begining of the creation. Then all 5 elements emerge in Sukshma or micro form. They also do not have any physical existance. When the 5 elements and Gunas join together, there will be Pacheekarana and physical manifestation takes place. The whole universe what we see is the Saguna Brahman

When retreat takes place Saguna Brahman joins the Nirguna Brahman. For an ordinary practitioner directly to concentrate on Nirguna is not possible. He has to start his practice with Saguna and ultimately reach the Nirguna which is only Anubhuti or feeling or exerience. If we read Narayanopanishad, it explains - Nirakaro, Niranjano, Nirvikalpo etc.,

In this connection there is an interesting story our elders told me. After Mahabharatha war is over, Arjuna posed a question to Lord Krishna that Both he and Aswathama were taught by the Same Guru Drona. Obiviously Aswathama being his own son the Guru would have taught him every art what he has learnt. If it is so how he could be defeated in the war by Arjuna.

For this Lord Krishna replied saying that in the previous births. Aswathama worshipped Saguna Brahman, whereas Arjuna worshipped Nirguna Brahman which gave advantage to him to defeat Aswathama. Whether this is fact or not but it indicates woshipping or meditating on Nirguna Brahman is superior to the other. Normally all most all people get struck with Saguna Brahman and feel that they have achieved every thing. In fact it is not so. Only those people who experience Nirguna Brahan are the people who can call themselves Aham Brahmasmi.

Answer 2

It is very simple. Nirgun Brahma is which we cannot see , but it gives the command to Sagun Brahma to act.
It is just like a command given to the computer and the computer does the iteration to throw out the best result.
It is like the human mind which prompts a person to work and the body performs the activity to give the end result.
So both are complementary to each other and both are required to complete a task.
Only the Nirgun Brahma (Nirakar) cannot be seen doing any activity , as a result it is difficult to believe in its existence. Whereas the Sagun Brahma(Sakar) is visible and is easily believed in its existence.

Answer 3

Nirgun Brahman is the unmanifest stage, No form, No attributes. Sagun Brahman on the other hand has form and attributes. We can reach Nirgun Brahman only after worship of Sagun Brahman. It is just like children learning alphabets etc before advancing to higher classes. Without undergoing training in lower classes we can not go to higher classes.

Answer 4

Nirgun Brahma is the one Who is sprawled in this infinite universe. He is hidden and not seen.

Sagun Brahma is Krishn who descends on the earth to facilitate our eternal desire of meeting him. He comes like one from amongst us, and makes us feel comfortable in his company.

That is the reason, Sagun Brahma is more desirable than the Nirgun Brahm.

Nirgun Brahm is for Gyanis, Sagun Brahma is for Bhaktas.

Answer 5

Both sagun and Nirgun are the attributes of maya, according to Bhagvatam 2/10/33,34. That means ParBrahm reality is beyond both. The worship of both Sagun and sakar are essentially worship of Nirakaar. Because anything that takes form is subject to dissolution. Once dissolved they merge in to formless. Therefore, both sagun and sakar are unreal. Lord Prannathji teaches in Tartam Wani that Parbrahma is 'sudhdh sakaar' sukramay swaroop Aksharateet, who is beyond kshar and akshar. Both sagun and sakar addresses kshar purusha who is subject to final dissolution - mahapralaya. saprem Pranamji

Answer 6

Dear Friend,

You in your question it self have answered it.

NIRGUNA BRAHMAN; BRAHMAN WITHOUT ANY GUNAS OR QUALITIES

SAGUNA BRAHMAN; BRAHMAN WITH QUALITIES OR GUNAS.

Brahman, te Ultimate Light Paranjyoti is described both s SAAKAARA AND NIRAAKAARA.
(Having a shape and without any shape)

To understand HIM first we start with Sagun and saakar faith.After we progress in that way , our Gurus will teach us then how to understand the diffeent words which APPEAR CONTRADICTORY.
There is no confusion at all.One shouls carefully and faithfully follow what has been said.There is no where untruth.

For example a lecturer who has a Ph .D., in Physics working as a teacher in a high school , while teaching the Propagation of Loght says '' Light travels in straight lines'' and does experiment to prove it.he,the teacher knows the wave theory and Qyuantum theory of light and knows fully well that what he is telling students is not absolute truth.But id Wave theory or quantum theory is said then,will the children or high school students understand it?Never.so he gradually teaches them .I the next higher classes the lecturets say,as students then know about waves, the wave theory of light and say hat Light propagation in straight line is incorrect.After words the are taught quantum theory.Similarly,first an Idol is worshipped,and after some faith is established the higher knowledge is given step by step.That way the Hindu way of teaching about BRAHMAN is is on well established firm foundation.One shall have faith and patience to travel in the path and find or Merge into that LIGHT.

Answer 7

dude . .
I may be wrong but I think Nirgun bramha is when you worship the formless God. When you are not attached to any form like Shiva or Vishnu. This is supposed to be a difficult form of worship. Basically you concentrate on the Chakra that is in the forehead between the eyes and meditate on the universal truth.

Answer 8

The word 'guna' means attributes or charecter(or form). Nirguna Brahama means Brahama without attributes and Saguna Brahama means Brahama with attributes. Nirguna Bramaha can be understood by people of higher understanding whereas, Saguna Brahama is for the 'ignorent' ones caught in the 'maya'.

Answer 9

Inactive principle of divinity is nirgun brahm and active principle is sagun brahm

Answer 10

They describe the two different states of being of God (Brahman). Nirguna means "without attributes" and Saguna means "with attributes". Thus Nirguna Brahman translates "Brahman without attributes" and Saguna Brahman translates "Brahman with attributes."

Let's extend this just a bit to explain this a bit further. Nirguna Brahman is the unmanifested Brahman and Saguna Brahman is the manifested Brahman. An example I read, that I think was a really good example, goes as follows.
Pronouce the sound Aum (Om). Chant this slowly three times. making sure to slowly flow from each sound to each sound. A-U-M ^ A-U-M ^ A-U-M. Okay so in this example A-U-M (the sound) represents Saguna Brahman. This has qualities. You hear it, can relate to it, etc. The space between each time you chanted Aum.....that's Nirguna Brahman. You can't hear it, see it, taste it, touch it, or relate to it.

When you pray to God, sing to God, do worship with or without an image or form.....all of this is to Saguna Brahman. The aspect of God that we relate to and experience. Nirguna Brahman is the part of God that lies behind Saguna Brahman, the part that we, in our current physical state of existence, can't fully relate to or understand.

Hope that explained it fairly well. Excellent question!

Peace be with you.