PARMATMA AND ATMA/ਪਰਮਾਤਮੁ/ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਤਮਾ
ABSTRACT
God has been remembered by many names and Parmatm (ਪਰਮਾਤਮੁ) is one of them, which is an incomprehensable metaphysical creative force/energy, beyond human comprehension. The energy/force/ ਆਤਮਾ/soul/conscience or what ever one’s understanding of it is a source of life in an individual, which is a part of the Primal Power/Will (ਕਲਾ).
ਜਿਨੀ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨਿਆ ਪਰਮਾਤਮੁ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਿਰਖੁ ਹੈ ਫਲੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਹੋਈ ॥
Jinī āṯam cẖīni­ā parmāṯam so­ī Ėko amriṯ birakẖ hai fal amriṯ ho­ī.
Those who understand their own Higher Self are themselves the same Primal Force. The One Akal Purkh is the tree of ambrosial nectar, which bears the ambrosial fruit. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 421-16
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Atma (ਆਤਮਾ) is self (Conscience).
Parmatma (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ) - (Param + Atma) is Higher Self.
God has been remembered by many names and any name used with devotional love is in order IMHO. Parmatma word has been used once in Sabd Guru by Guru Nanak as Paratam (ਪਰਮਾਤਮੁ), while Atma comes many times. Parmatma manifests in an individual as the light or Higher Self veiled by the lower self (ਹਉਮੈ) and i.e. how we all are related to each other, former being the common denominator.
ਸੰਤ ਹੇਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਧਾਰੇ ॥ ਆਤਮੁ ਚੀਨੈ ਸੁ ਤਤੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ॥
Sanṯ heṯ parabẖ ṯaribẖavaṇ ḏẖāre. Āṯam cẖīnai so ṯaṯ bīcẖārė.
For the sake of the Saints, God has established the three worlds. One, who understands his own conscience, contemplates the essence of reality. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 224-10
ਏਕ ਕ੍ਰਿਸਨੰ ਸਰਬ ਦੇਵਾ ਦੇਵ ਦੇਵਾ ਤ ਆਤਮਾ ॥ਆਤਮਾ ਬਾਸੁਦੇਵਸ੍ਯ੍ਯਿ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਜਾਣੈ ਭੇਉ ॥ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਦਾਸੁ ਹੈ ਸੋਈ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ ਦੇਉ ॥
Ėk krisanʼn sarab ḏėvā ḏėv ḏėvā ṯa āṯmā. Āṯmā bāsḏėvsi­y jė ko jāṇai bẖė­o. Nānak ṯā kā ḏās hai so­ī niranjan ḏė­o.
The Supreme Akal Purkh is God for all gods, beings and their Self. This Self is all pervasive, should one realize this secret. Nanak is slave of one with this realization; in whom is manifest the immaculate God. -----Guru Angad, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 469-15
God has been described as Nirgun (without attributes) and Sargun (with attributes) and is infinite in nature. It is clear that an infinite thing cannot be substantially composite, for this would mean that infinity is made up of the union or addition of finite parts -- a plain contradiction in terms. The following hymns describe attributable and non-attributable nature of that metaphysical energy or force;
ਸਰਗੁਣ ਨਿਰਗੁਣ ਥਾਪੈ ਨਾਉ ॥ਦੁਹ ਮਿਲਿ ਏਕੈ ਕੀਨੋ ਠਾਉ ॥
Sarguṇ nirguṇ thāpai nā¬o, Ḏuh mil ėkai kīno ṯẖā¬o.
Attributed and unattributed are the two terms devised for Akal Purkh. Both in unisome formulate one reality. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 387-18
ਰਾਜ ਜੋਬਨ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੂੰ ਧਨੀ ॥ਤੂੰ ਨਿਰਗੁਨ ਤੂੰ ਸਰਗੁਨੀ ॥
Rāj joban parabẖ ṯūʼn ḏẖanī.Ŧūʼn nirgun ṯūʼn Sarguni.
Before the creation Akal Purkh was Nirgun (unseen or formless/ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ) after creation, It is perceived in physical form in Nature. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 211-7
ਨਿਰਗੁਨੁ ਆਪਿ ਸਰਗੁਨੁ ਭੀ ਓਹੀ ॥
Nirgun āp sargun bhī ohī.
Akal Purkh Itself is absolute and unrelated; and is also involved and related.-----Guru Arjan, Gauri Sukhmani, AGGS, Page, 287-17
ਨਿਰਗੁਣੁ ਸਰਗੁਣੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੈ ਜੀਉ ਆਣਿ ਮਿਲਾਵੈ ਜੀਉ ॥
Nirguṇ sarguṇ har har mėrā ko¬ī hai jī¬o āṇ milāvai jī¬o.
My God Akal Purkh, is absolute and related, unmanifest and manifest; is there anyone who can come and unite me with It? -----Guru Arjan, Raag Majh, AGGS, Page, 98 -2
Sikh Gurus have used the following words in AGGS to express attributes of that metaphysical force called God/ Absolute Principle;
Ached- ਅਛੇਦ -Indivisable. = Adisatt/Alakh-ਅਦਿਸਟ/ਅਲਖ-Invisible
Agaadh-ਅਗਾਧ-Unfathomable/deep = Agocher-ਅਗੋਚਰ-Beyond reaches of senses.
Agum- ਅਗਮੁ-Inaccessible/Unapproachable.
Ajooni - ਆਜੋਨੀ/ਅਜੋਨੀ-Does not have birth & death.
Akal Moorat - ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤ-Deathless/ever-existent/God.
Akhut- ਅਖੁਟ-Inexhaustible = Alipaari/Alpana-ਅਲਪਾਰੀ/ਅਲਪਨਾ-Detached
Anaath- ਅਨਾਥ-With out master.= Apaah-ਅਪਾਹ-Detached.
Alpat- ਅਲਿਪਤੁ/ਅਲੇਪ untouched.= Apaar- ਅਪਾਰ -Boundless/limitless.
Aprasa- ਅਪਰਸ who does not touch others.=Itthrha- ਇਠੜਾ-Dear/Adorable.
Karta Purkh. ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖ- - The Lord is the Creator of the Universe.
Nirbhau – ਨਿਰਭਉ –Fearless. =Nirvair- ਨਿਰਵੈਰ With out animosity.
Niranjan- ਨਿਰੰਜਨ-Immaculate. = Nirankar- ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰ-formless.
Saibhung – ਸੈਭੰ-Self- ¬existent, being the supreme and Prime soul.
God is unfathomable, incomprehensible metaphysical creative force/energy beyond human comprehension and Guru Gobind Singh describes God in Zafarnama, # 112-115:
ਅਗੰਜੋ ਅਭੰਜੋ ਅਰੂਪੋ ਅਰੇਖ ॥ ਅਗਾਧੋ ਅਬਾਧੋ ਅਭਰਮੋ ਅਲੇਖ ॥ ਅਰਾਗੋ ਅਰੂਪੋ ਅਰੇਖੋ ਅਰੰਗ ॥ ਅਜਨਮੋ ਅਬਰਨੋ ਅਭੂਤੋ ਅਭੰਗ ॥ ਅਛੇਦੋ ਅਭੇਦੋ ਅਕਰਮੋ ਅਕਾਮ ॥ ਅਖੇਦੋ ਅਭੇਦੋ ਅਭਰਮੋ ਅਭਾਮ ॥ ਅਰੇਖੋ ਅਭੇਖੋ ਅਲੇਖੋ ਅਭੰਗ ॥ ਖ਼ੁਦਾਵੰਦ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਿੰਦਹੇ ਰੰਗ ਗਰੰਗ ॥
Aganjo, Abhanjo, Arupo Araykh. Arougo, Aroopou, Arekho, Arung; Ajnamo, Abarno, Abhootou, Abhang, Achedou, Abhedou, Akarmou, Akarm; Akhedou, Abhedhou, Abharmo, Abhaam, Arekho, Abhekhou, Alekhou, Abhang; Khudawand, Bakhshanda-ae, Rung, Rung.
God is Immortal, Formless, Deep, eternal, and with out doubt and limit. God is with out color, beauty and music, is beyond birth and death, imperceptible and imperishable. God is neither impregnable nor irrefutable, is above karma and desire, and is above pain, divisions, secrets, suspicion & spouse. God is with out line or guise and cannot be written about and is indestructible, self-existent and bestows many kinds’ pleasures and gratifications.
Creativity:
God has created the universe with both Spiritual and material as described in the following hymns.
ਏਕੋ ਕਰਤਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਜਗੁ ਕੀਆ ॥
Ėko karṯā jin jag kī¬ā.
There is only One Creator, who created the world
-----Guru Nanak, Raag Basant, AGGS, Page, 1188-13
ਓਅੰਕਾਰਿ ਉਤਪਾਤੀ ॥
O¬ankār uṯpāṯī.
The One Universal Creator created the creation.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Maru, AGGS, Page, 1003-17
ਆਪੇ ਸਚੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਰ ਜੋੜਿ ॥ ਅੰਡਜ ਫੋੜਿ ਜੋੜਿ ਵਿਛੋੜਿ ॥ ਧਰਤਿ ਅਕਾਸੁ ਕੀਏ ਬੈਸਣ ਕਉ ਥਾਉ ॥ਰਾਤਿ ਦਿਨੰਤੁ ਕੀਏ ਭਉ ਭਾਉ ॥ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰਾ ॥
Āpė sacẖ kī¬ā kar joṛ, Andaj foṛ joṛ vicẖẖoṛ, Ḏẖaraṯ akās kī¬ė baisaṇ ka¬o thā¬o, Rāṯ ḏinanṯ kī¬ė bẖa¬o bẖā¬o, Avar na ḏūjā sirjaṇhārā.
The True Akal Purkh Itself created the universe, joining the elements together. Breaking the cosmic egg, then united, and separated. It made the earth and the sky into places to live. It created day and night, fear and love. The One, who created the Creation, also watches over it. There is no other Creator Akal Purkh. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Bilawal, AGGS, Page, 839
Creation of Maya:
ਤ੍ਰੈ ਗੁਣ ਮਾਇਆ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕੀ ਕੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੀ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਵਨ ਬਿਧਿ ਤਰੀਐ ਰੇ ॥ ਘੂਮਨ ਘੇਰ ਅਗਾਹ ਗਾਖਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਪਾਰਿ ਉਤਰੀਐ ਰੇ ॥
Thrai Gun Maya Braham Kee Keenee Khohu Kavan Bidh Tareeai Ray, Ghooman Ghayr Agaah Gaakhree Gur Sabdee Paar Utree-ai Ray.
God has created Maya of three qualities; tell me how it can be crossed over? The whirlpool is awesome and unfathomable; only through the Word of the Guru's Sabd is one carried across. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 404-3
ਦੋਸੁ ਨਹੀ ਕਾਹੂ ਕਉ ਮੀਤਾ ॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹ ਬੰਧੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕੀਤਾ ॥
Dos Nahee Kaahoo Ka-o Meetaa, Maya Moh Bandh Prabh Keetta.
No one is at fault, my friend. God created the bondage of emotional attachment to Maya.-----Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 257-11
God is in creation and creation (Both spiritual and Material) is in God as described by Kabir;
ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥
Logaa Bharam Na Bhooloh Bhai, Khalik Khalk Khalk Meh Khalik Poor Rewhip Sarb Thanyee.
O people, O Siblings of Destiny, do not wander deluded by doubt. The Creation is in the Creator, and the Creator is in the Creation, totally pervading and permeating all places.-----Kabir, Raag Parbhati Bhibhas, AGGS, Page 1350-1
God is part of spirit as well as matter.
ਸੂਖਮ ਅਸਥੂਲ ਸਗਲ ਭਗਵਾਨ ॥
Sookham Asthool Sagal Bhagvaan.
The Akal Purkh God is in all mind and matter (subtle and manifest/ ਨਿਰਗੁਨੁ & ਸਰਗੁਨੁ).-----Guru Arjan, Thiti Raag Gauri, AGGS, Page, 299-17
The following Sabd denotes evolutionary process from stone, vegetation, to animal etc over a long long period of time.
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਭਏ ਕੀਟ ਪਤੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਜ ਮੀਨ ਕੁਰੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਪੰਖੀ ਸਰਪ ਹੋਇਓ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਹੈਵਰ ਬ੍ਰਿਖ ਜੋਇਓ ॥ਮਿਲੁ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਇਹ ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜਰੀਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸੈਲ ਗਿਰਿ ਕਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਰਭ ਹਿਰਿ ਖਰਿਆ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸਾਖ ਕਰਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਜੋਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਾਇਆ ॥ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਭਇਓ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ॥ਕਰਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ॥
Kayee Janam Bha-ay Keett Patangaa, “Kayee Janam Meen Kurangaa, Kayee Janam Pankhee Sarap Hooeyoo, Kayee Janam Haivar Birkh Jooeyoo, Mil Jagdeesh Milan Kee Baree-aa, Chirankaal Eh Deh Sanjaree-aa, Kayee Janam Sail Gir Kariaa, Kayee Janam Garabh Hir Khariaa, Kayee Janam Saakh Kar Oupaaey-aa, Lakh Chauraasee Joan Bharmaaey-aa, Saadh Sung Bhaeo Janam Praapat, Kar Seva Bhaj Har Har Gurmat.
In so many incarnations, you were a worm and an insect. In so many incarnations, you were an elephant, a fish and a deer. In so many incarnations, you were a bird and a snake. In so many incarnations, you were yoked as an ox and a horse. Now is the time to meet the Creator of the Universe. After so very long, this human body was fashioned for you. In so many incarnations, you were rocks and mountains; in so many incarnations, you were aborted in the womb. In so many incarnations, you developed branches and leaves. You wandered through 8.4 million (many) incarnations. Through the Sadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, you obtained this human life. Do seva - selfless service; and vibrate the Name of the Creator Akal Purkh. -----Guru Arjan, Raag Gauri Guareri, AGGS, Page, 176
The above Sabd clarifies that God is omnipresent and a part of every atom of every thing, living or dead by human definition. It is an illusion and doubt created by that creative force it self as described by the following reference.
ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਕੀਨਾ ਆਪੇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਏ ॥ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਇਸੁ ਜਗ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਕਰਮਿ ਵਸੈ ਮਨਿ ਆਏ ॥
Maya Mohu Mayrai Prabh Keena Aapay Bharam Bhulaa-ay, Gurbaanee Is Jag Meh Chaanan Karam Vasai Man Aa-ay.
Emotional attachment to Maya is created by God; and misleads us through illusion and doubt. -----Guru Amardas, Siri Raag, AGGS, Page, 67-9
Life and death is an example of duality in this world like every thing else. Life in itself is an integrated, complicated, well disciplined, and organized function of multiple organs of the body.
Every atom contains that universal indefinable super conscious energy, which is never lost and the some total of that stays the same.
Conclusion:
Parmatma and Atma (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ/ਆਤਮਾ) is the interchangeable metaphysical energy. The former is harnessed by actively living in the teachings contained in Sabd Guru to become a better human being. It is accomplished by recitation of Naam, meditation, self-discipline or restraint, service of humanity and acknowledging that Creative Force with complete unconditional surrender to it in Humility. “Faith with out right action is dead”.
ਜਪੁ ਤਪੁ ਸੰਜਮੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਨ ਕਮਾਇਆ ॥ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਾਧ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇਆ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਮ ਨੀਚ ਕਰੰਮਾ ॥ ਸਰਣਿ ਪਰੇ ਕੀ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਸਰਮਾ ॥
Jap Tap Sanjam Dharam Na Kamaeya, Seva Sadh Na Jania Har Raa-eya, Kaoh Nanak Ham Neech Karma, Saran Paray Ki Rakhoh Sarma.
I have not practiced meditation, self-discipline, self-restraint or righteous living. I have not served the Holy; I have not acknowledged the Creator, my King. Says Nanak, my actions are contemptible! O Akal Purkh, I seek Your Sanctuary; please, preserve my honor! -----Guru Arjan, Raag Asa, AGGS, Page, 12, 378-4
Virinder S.Grewal
Williamston, MI
