God Exists by Sri Swami Sivananda - Chapter 3: Who Is God? - HQ Full Book.

In the third chapter of *God Exists*, Sri Swami Sivananda delves into the profound and timeless question: **"Who is God?"** This chapter is a comprehensive exploration of the nature, attributes, and omnipresence of the Divine, offering seekers a clear understanding of the Supreme Being. Swami Sivananda, with his characteristic clarity and depth, elucidates the essence of God, drawing from the wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts. The chapter is a spiritual guide, helping readers transcend ignorance and ego to realize the ultimate truth of God's existence and presence.
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I. The Nature of God
Swami Sivananda begins by defining God as **Satchidananda**—the embodiment of **Existence Absolute (Sat)**, **Knowledge Absolute (Chit)**, and **Bliss Absolute (Ananda)**. God is not a mere concept or a distant entity; He is the very foundation of reality. He is **Truth** itself, the eternal and unchanging reality behind the ever-changing world. God is described as the **Light of lights**, the source of all illumination, both physical and spiritual. He is the all-pervading intelligence and consciousness that sustains the universe.
God is the **Inner Ruler (Antaryamin)**, the silent witness within every being. He governs the universe with perfect order, maintaining the balance of creation through His omnipotent power. Swami Sivananda emphasizes that God is **omnipotent** (all-powerful), **omniscient** (all-knowing), and **omnipresent** (present everywhere). He transcends time, existing in the past, present, and future. While the world is impermanent and subject to change, God is eternal, unchanging, and imperishable.
The creation of the world is described as God's **Leela** or divine play. Through the interplay of the three Gunas—**Sattwa** (purity), **Rajas** (activity), and **Tamas** (inertia)—God manifests the universe. Yet, He remains untouched by His creation, controlling **Maya** (the illusory power) with ease. God is **Swatantra**, completely independent, and His will is pure and benevolent.
Despite His omnipresence, humanity often forgets God due to ignorance and egoism (**Abhimana**). Swami Sivananda reminds us that God is the source of all actions and experiences. It is through His power that we see, hear, speak, and act. Every sensation, every thought, and every moment of existence is a manifestation of His presence. However, blinded by Maya, we fail to recognize Him.
The chapter underscores that **eternal happiness** and **supreme peace** can only be found in God. Realizing God is the ultimate goal of human life, as it liberates one from the cycle of birth and death (**Samsara**). Swami Sivananda urges seekers to awaken from the dreamlike illusion of the world, cultivate discrimination (**Viveka**), and recognize God's presence everywhere. He dwells within the heart of every being, waiting to be discovered through sincere seeking and devotion.
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II. The Attributes of God
Swami Sivananda elaborates on the divine attributes of God, painting a vivid picture of His magnificence. God is **love**, the embodiment of eternal bliss, supreme peace, and wisdom. He is all-merciful, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He has neither beginning nor end, and He is the **Supreme Being (Paramatma)** or **Purushottama** (the Supreme Purusha), as described in the Bhagavad Gita.
God is **Swayambhu**, self-existent, and **Swayam Prakasha**, self-luminous. He does not depend on anything for His existence or illumination. He is **Swatah Siddha**, self-proven, and **Paripoorna**, self-contained. The entire universe resides within Him, and He is the source of all knowledge and existence.
The chapter explains the three primary aspects of God: **Brahma** (the creator), **Vishnu** (the preserver), and **Shiva** (the destroyer). These aspects represent the cyclical nature of creation, preservation, and dissolution. Additionally, God manifests in three other forms: **Virat** (the cosmic physical form), **Hiranyagarbha** (the cosmic mind), and **Ishwara** (the causal aspect). Together, these aspects encompass the entirety of existence.
God's activities are described as fivefold: **Srishti** (creation), **Sthiti** (preservation), **Samhara** (destruction), **Tirodhana** (veiling), and **Anugraha** (grace). Through these activities, God sustains the universe and guides souls toward liberation.
Swami Sivananda beautifully illustrates God's presence in everyday life. He is the sweetness in a child's words, the strength in a wrestler, the beauty in nature, and the melody in music. He is the fragrance in flowers, the softness in a cushion, and the life force (**Prana**) within every being. The elements of nature—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—are manifestations of His divine qualities.
God possesses the six divine attributes: **Jnana** (wisdom), **Vairagya** (dispassion), **Aishwarya** (power), **Bala** (strength), **Sri** (wealth), and **Kirti** (fame). These attributes make Him **Bhagavan**, the Supreme Lord. He is the **Sutradhara**, the wire-puller behind all actions, and the **Antaryamin**, the inner ruler of all beings.
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III. The Path to God-Realization
Swami Sivananda emphasizes that God is not distant or inaccessible. He resides within the heart of every individual, waiting to be realized. The body is described as His moving temple, and the heart is the sanctum sanctorum where He dwells. To find God, one must turn inward, withdrawing the senses from external distractions and focusing the mind with devotion and love.
The chapter highlights the importance of **Bhakti** (devotion) as a means to attain God-realization. Through devotion, one can purify the heart, control the senses, and cultivate a deep connection with the Divine. Swami Sivananda encourages seekers to sing God's name, meditate on His form, and feel His presence in every moment.
God-realization is presented as the ultimate purpose of human life. It is the key to ending the cycle of birth and death and attaining eternal happiness. Swami Sivananda calls upon readers to awaken to their true nature, recognize God's presence within and around them, and strive for liberation with unwavering determination.
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Conclusion
In *Chapter 3: Who Is God?*, Sri Swami Sivananda provides a profound and inspiring exploration of the nature and attributes of God. He dispels misconceptions and reveals God as the eternal, omnipresent, and all-pervading reality. Through vivid descriptions and practical guidance, Swami Sivananda invites readers to embark on the journey of self-discovery and God-realization. The chapter serves as a reminder that God is not far away but resides within the heart, waiting to be realized through devotion, meditation, and selfless love. By turning inward and seeking Him sincerely, one can attain the supreme peace, bliss, and immortality that is the birthright of every soul.
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This chapter is a timeless guide for spiritual seekers, offering both philosophical insights and practical wisdom to help one realize the ultimate truth of God's existence.

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