Brahman (Hinduism)

Brahman (Hinduism), in the Vedic hymns, the cosmic power of the priestly utterance; Brahmán, the masculine form of the same noun, denotes the priest who speaks such utterances. The etymology of Brahman is disputed: scholars have attempted to associate it with the Latin flamen (member of an archaic Roman priesthood); with the Sanskrit root brh ("be strong"); and with the Greek morphe ("form" or "shape").

In the sacred writings the Brahmanas and Upanishads, Brahman designates the impersonal principle and first cause of the universe. It is the goal of some Hindus to attain, by personal experience through direct revelation, some understanding of the essential being of Brahman. Brahman is beyond all material forms and consists of knowledge and bliss. As eternal, infinite, and conscious being, it is believed to be the subject, rather than the object, of thought. As the Absolute of all things known, it is incapable of being characterized or circumscribed by any one thing, or even by the totality of things.