Gems from the Vedas

The philosophical implications of Atharva Veda 10.8.1 are vast and central to Hindu thought:

Timelessness and Eternity of Brahman:

The mantra directly addresses the eternal nature of Brahman. By stating that Brahman “is, was, and always will be,” it transcends the limitations of linear time. This concept is fundamental to understanding Brahman not as a being bound by temporal constraints, but as the very ground of time itself. For human consciousness, which is inherently time-bound, grasping this timelessness is a profound spiritual endeavor. It suggests that true reality lies beyond the ephemeral nature of our individual experiences.

Immanence and Transcendence:

The verse beautifully articulates the paradox of Brahman’s immanence and transcendence. Brahman is “all” (सर्वम्), meaning it pervades every atom of creation, every thought, every emotion. Yet, it also “stays over and above” (अधितिष्ठति), implying a reality that is not exhausted by creation. This concept prevents a purely pantheistic view (where God is the universe) and instead points to a panentheistic understanding (where the universe is in God, but God is also more than the universe). This allows for both a deep connection to the divine in everyday life and a recognition of the divine’s ultimate, ungraspable nature.

Oneness:

The phrase स्वः केवलम् (simply alone, bare) strongly hints at the principle of non-duality (Advaita). It suggests that ultimately, there is only one reality—Brahman. All apparent multiplicity and diversity in the world are ultimately manifestations or illusions of this singular reality. This concept encourages a shift in perspective from seeing oneself as separate from the divine to recognizing one’s inherent unity with it. The journey of spiritual realization, from this perspective, is the shedding of layers of illusion to perceive this fundamental oneness.

Source of All Existence: The mantra unequivocally identifies Brahman as the ultimate source of all existence. Whether it’s the past, present, or future, the manifest or the unmanifest, everything originates from and subsists within Brahman. This provides a coherent metaphysical framework where the universe is not a random occurrence but an emanation of a conscious, absolute reality.

Devotion and Surrender: The concluding “नमः” (salutations) emphasizes the importance of devotion and surrender to this Supreme Reality. Acknowledging Brahman’s supreme nature naturally leads to an attitude of reverence. This isn’t merely a philosophical exercise but an invitation to a spiritual practice that involves humbling oneself before the ultimate truth and aligning one’s life with its principles.

Atharva Veda 10.8.1, therefore, is not just a descriptive verse but a foundational statement about the nature of the Absolute, offering both a comprehensive metaphysical understanding and a guide for spiritual aspiration. It encourages contemplation on the vast, timeless, and singular reality that underlies all existence, prompting both intellectual inquiry and heartfelt devotion.

A key element of this verse is the acceptance that God was, is and will always be. He is not limited by time.

यो भूतम् (who is the past, one who has always been) – The Primary Cause:

This perfectly aligns with the Brahma aspect, the creator. Brahma is traditionally seen as the one who brings the universe into being from a primordial state. The “past” signifies the initial act of creation, the laying down of the foundational principles and the very first animation of matter.

He has been the primal energy that set the cosmic dance in motion and imbued matter with life force.

Analysis of भूतम् which literally means was or past

The English “was” implies a completed action or a state that existed only in the past and is now over. For example, “He was here yesterday” means he is not here today. This linear, discrete understanding of time doesn’t adequately capture the Vedic concept of Brahman.

भूतम् and its Nuances

While भूतम् (bhootam) literally translates to “past” or “that which has been,” its deeper connotation, especially when applied to Brahman, carries the sense of:

– That which has come into being and exists: It refers to all that has manifested, all that is.

– The ground of all existence: It points to the fundamental reality from which everything emerges.

– Eternal being: When referring to Brahman, “भूतम्” doesn’t suggest a past that is over, but rather a state of being that always was and continues to underpin the present.

He has always been – A More Accurate Representation

– Continuous Existence: The English “has been” or “has always been” implies a state or action that began in the past and continues up to the present. This perfectly aligns with the idea of Brahman’s eternal, unbroken existence. It’s not that Brahman existed then and doesn’t exist now; it’s that Brahman’s existence is a continuous, timeless reality.

– Primary, Unchanging Reality: If Brahman “was” in the sense of a discrete past, it would imply a beginning point for Brahman itself, which contradicts the concept of an uncreated, eternal Supreme Being. “He has always been” reinforces the idea that Brahman is without beginning or end (anadi-ananta).

– Implication of Foundation: When we say “He has always been,” we imply that this being is the fundamental, unchanging ground upon which all other temporal phenomena arise. The “past” in this sense refers to the primordial existence that precedes and enables all subsequent manifestations.

Connects to सर्वम् (all) and अधितिष्ठति (stays over and above): If “He has always been,” then this eternal being is naturally the source and pervasive reality of “all” that exists in the present and will exist in the future. The continuity of “has always been” seamlessly flows into “is” and “will be.”

Philosophical Ramifications

This interpretation strengthens the core Vedic concepts embedded in the mantra:

– Timelessness (Kala-atita): Brahman transcends linear time. The “past” is not a time gone by for Brahman, but an aspect of its eternal nature.

– Uncreated and Eternal: Brahman is not created and does not cease to be. Its existence is inherent and perpetual.

– Fundamental Reality: The “past” (भूतम्) is the primordial, foundational state of Brahman from which all manifest reality emerges. It’s the “has always been” that makes the “is” and “will be” possible.

Therefore, “He has always been” is a far more nuanced and philosophically accurate way to understand “यो भूतम्” when referring to Brahman in Atharva Veda 10.8.1. It captures the eternal, continuous, and foundational nature of the Supreme Reality better than a simple past tense “He was.”

“He is” – The Pervader, Upholder, and Sustainer:

च भव्यम् (and the continuous existence, is ahead): This points to the ongoing nature of existence, the present moment and its continuous unfolding.

सर्वम् यश्चाधितिष्ठति (who is all, and who stays over and above, that which is simply alone, bare): This captures the pervasive presence of God. He is “all” that exists, permeating every part of the cosmos, yet also “over and above” it, ensuring its stability and adherence to natural laws. Your examples of “ongoing expansion of the creation, the ongoing dissolution and creation of old and new galaxies, the death and birth of people” perfectly illustrate the dynamic yet orderly preservation that God is. It’s not static preservation, but an active, continuous process of balance and renewal.

He will be – The Ongoing Eternal Principle:

स्वः केवलम् (future, yet to be, simply singular): While “स्वः” specifically means “future” or “yet to be,” its association with “केवलम्” (alone, bare, ultimate) points towards the ultimate reality that transcends and outlasts all cycles. God is the ultimate transformative principle, the one who brings about dissolution for the sake of recreation, ensuring the eternal cycle.

The ongoing, never decaying, non-dying enabler and energy of all worlds: This describes the undying, eternal substrate that remains even after dissolution, ready to manifest again. This “enabler and energy” is the very essence of Brahman, which allows for the continuous play of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

The eternal principle of Brahman ensures the continuity of moral and cosmic laws (like Karma) and the cycles of birth and rebirth (reincarnation). These principles are not arbitrary but are upheld by the unchanging, eternal nature of the Supreme Reality.

The verse is a powerful affirmation that Brahman is not limited by time. It is the beginning, the middle, and the end, yet simultaneously transcends all these distinctions. It highlights the dynamic nature of the divine as the active principle behind all cosmic processes, while also emphasizing its unchanging, ultimate reality.