Brahmarupa, Brahmarūpa, Brahmarūpā, Brahma-rupa: 5 definitions




In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Brahmarupa in Purana glossary
Source: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Brahmarūpa (ब्रह्मरूप) refers to one having “the form of Brahman”, and is used as an epithet for Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.41.—Accordingly, as Viṣṇu and others eulogized Śiva:—“[...] obeisance to Vāma, Vāmarūpa, Vāmanetra, Aghora, the great lord and the Vikaṭa. Obeisance to Tatpuruṣa, to Nātha, the ancient Puruṣa, the bestower of the four aims of life, Vratin, and Parameṣṭhin. Obeisance to you, Īśāna, Īśvara, Brahman, of the form of Brahman (i.e., Brahmarūpa), the Supreme Soul”.

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

1) Brahmarūpa (ब्रह्मरूप) refers to “embodiments of spirit” according to the Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta 1.3.45.—Accordingly, “[...] the opulences of Vaikuṇṭha, considered to be eternally true, are brahmarūpa, embodiments of spirit. Now, the question may be posed that if the Brahman is variegated, then how can divine opulences have brahmasvarūpa (a constitutional nature of Brahman or spirit)? These divine opulences, possessing the nature of immutable Brahman and due to the special śakti or the potency of Bhagavān, are endowed with a wonderful, sweet variegatedness”.

2) Brahmarūpa (ब्रह्मरूप) refers to “oneness with Brahman” according to the Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta 2.4.201.—Accordingly, “[...] If the devotees were to attain oneness with Brahman (brahmarūpa), then they would receive only minute happiness like the liberated souls receive, no more than that. In other words, if the devotees’ forms were not condensed embodiments of sac-cid-ānanda, they would receive approximately the same amount of happiness as the liberated souls”.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Brahmarupa in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Lalita Sahasranama

Brahmarūpā (ब्रह्मरूपा) is name 256 in the Lalitāsahasranāma (cf. name 401: Vividhākārā).—Accordingly, “She is in the form of the God of creation Brahma (i.e., Brahmarūpā). Brahma has four heads. The four heads could mean the components of antaḥkaraṇa mind, intellect, consciousness and ego. Without these four, creation is not possible. There are many stories about Brahma’s four heads. He had five heads, possibly meaning the five elements or five Prāṇas (prāṇa, apāna, vyāna, samāna and udāna) that are needed for creation. The fifth head was cut off by Śiva for having shown disrespect to Him. There is yet another story, which says that Brahma had split his body horizontally into two, a male and a female form (different from Ardhanārīśvara form of Śiva where Śiva’s body is dissevered vertically, the other half occupied by Śaktī). Brahma is said to be the great-grandfather, Viṣṇu the grandfather and Śiva the father of this universe. [...]”.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Brahmarupa in Sanskrit glossary

Brahmarūpa (ब्रह्मरूप):—[=brahma-rūpa] [from brahma > brahman] m. Name of Viṣṇu, [Viṣṇu-smṛti, viṣṇu-sūtra, vaiṣṇava-dharma-śāstra]

[Sanskrit to German] (Deutsch Wörterbuch)


Brahmarūpa (ब्रह्मरूप):—Adj. als Beiw. Viṣṇu’s [Viṣṇusūtra 98,29.]

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