ŚABDA BRAHMAN AND THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Abstract

Śabda Brahman is the view conceived by the Grammarian School of Indian Philosophy asserting that word isthe foremost ground of all existence and that word (Śabda) isthe ultimate, supreme reality (Brahman). The Śabda Tattva, that is the word principle, is the first principle of the universe. The universal language refersto the metaphysical language that isinherent and eternal, which exists at a higher plane of the cosmos. This paper explores the various implications of Śabda to gain a better understanding of the concept while contrasting the Supreme Word with the Spoken Word. Śabda is established as the absolute authority. The interpretations of Patanjali, Bhartṛihari and Mandana Misra are brought to light as subtle differences are discussed under the unified philosophical umbrella. A parallel between Śabda Brahman and the Jungian theory of the Collective Unconscious is also entrenched alongside the assertion of the significance of the universal language as a pool of knowledge.