In this ever-changing world of names and forms, is there anything that is changeless, eternal, without beginning and without end?
Many millennia ago, ancient Hindu seers did a thorough investigation on this philosophical question. Their findings were recorded in Hindu Scripture, Upanishad. The following is the essence of their conclusions:
Brahman (God): Upanishad says, "Brahman is truth, knowledge and eternal." Brahman is absolute, changeless, one without a second. He is transcendental, formless, everlasting, all-pervading Holy Spirit and the Lord of all souls. He is the ultimate reality and the first and final cause of creation.
Atman (individual soul): "This atman is Brahman" is one of the four great declarations of Upanishad. The sages identified the individual soul of every being as divine spirit. Since the soul, also called "self" (atman), meaning "true being," is one with God, it is inherently pure, perfect, immutable, immortal and has no beginning and no end.
Jagat (the universe): Upanishad says, "Out of Brahman the universe emerges, in him it exists, and unto him it returns." So God is the root cause and support of the universe. The cosmic process of creation does not have absolute beginning, nor does it have absolute end. The universe alternates between evolution and involution. Evolution is the manifested state, and involution is the latent state. Thus the universe goes through a cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. The cycle is repeated through eternity.
A.M. Bhattacharyyais an active member of Hindu community.