The entire universe recognizes God as the one eternal, conscious, and blissful entity. This world, existing since time immemorial, was created by its maker, the Almighty God. Nature follows the universal law that every creation requires a creator. The transformation or creation of anything is facilitated by a conscious entity with the necessary knowledge and ability. Inanimate objects cannot change or create themselves without a specific cause. Similarly, this universe did not come into existence by itself but was crafted by a Creator — the omniscient and omnipotent God.
God’s wisdom enabled the creation of the universe, but knowledge alone is insufficient for creation. Every creation requires material causes, manipulated by a knowledgeable and conscious force. An example can be drawn from cooking at home: even with all the ingredients available, a meal does not prepare itself without a conscious cook who uses knowledge and effort. Similarly, God, being the efficient cause, created the universe using the material cause — nature.
The Eternal Nature of God and Creation
God is eternal and self-existent, without parents or origin. Nature and individual souls (Jeevas) are also eternal and coexistent with God. These three eternal entities — God, souls, and nature — have existed forever. Nothing eternal can be destroyed or cease to exist. Even science concurs that nothing in the world can be created or destroyed absolutely; only transformations occur. God, despite being omnipotent, does not create something out of nothing, as it defies logical and scientific principles. Instead, He uses nature to create, transform, and sustain the universe following the laws of knowledge and science.
The Sankhya philosophy describes nature as composed of three gunas: Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia). God initiates changes in nature, giving rise to the fundamental elements and entities like Mahat (cosmic intelligence), Ahankara (individuality), the five Tanmatras (subtle elements), the five Mahabhutas (gross elements), the mind, and the senses. Together, these 23 evolutes, along with the eternal entities of God and the soul, form the foundation of the entire universe.
God as a Conscious Entity
God is inherently conscious and possesses supreme knowledge. While nature is inert and devoid of consciousness, God’s consciousness enables Him to create, sustain, and dissolve the universe. Inert objects cannot feel pleasure or pain, but conscious entities can perceive and process knowledge, leading to joy and fulfillment. God’s omniscience encompasses all knowledge — past, present, and future — and includes an awareness of the souls' deeds and the functioning of nature.
The continuous creation, sustenance, and dissolution of the universe by God demonstrate His omniscience and omnipotence. Everything, from the celestial bodies like the sun and moon to the earth's natural resources and ecosystems, is a manifestation of God’s knowledge and power.
God as the Embodiment of Bliss
God is inherently blissful, meaning He is the eternal source of joy. While individual souls seek happiness externally, God is self-sufficient in His bliss, which is inherent and eternal. This divine bliss becomes evident in deep sleep, where individuals experience peace and refreshment despite being detached from the physical body and its sufferings. This state reflects the soul’s proximity to God, even though the connection is not fully realized.
The pursuit of eternal bliss motivates souls to seek God. Worldly pleasures are fleeting and often lead to suffering, but divine bliss is enduring and infinite. Through spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, and the study of Vedas, individuals connect with God, experiencing unparalleled joy and liberation (moksha).
The Ultimate Goal of the Soul
The ultimate purpose of the soul is to attain liberation and eternal bliss by realizing God. This can be achieved through the teachings of the Vedas and practices such as yoga, as described by Maharishi Patanjali. Meditation and Samadhi (deep absorption) enable a yogi to experience God directly, resulting in supreme fulfillment and freedom from worldly delusions. The soul's union with God is the highest state of existence, where all desires and sufferings are transcended.
In conclusion, God is the embodiment of truth, consciousness, and bliss — the eternal and unchanging reality. The realization of this truth leads to eternal peace and fulfillment. Om Shanti.