Nirgun and Sargun

Nirgun and Sargun is terminology used within Sikhism to refer to the ineffable (nirgun) and the manifest (sargun) nature of God. There is no dichotomy in the nirgun and sargun nature of God, as there only One (Ik Onkar). In the Guru Granth Sahib

Before creation, God existed all alone as Nirgun in a state of Sunn Samadhi, deep meditation, as says Guru Nanak.

Then God willed, created the universe, and diffused into nature as Sargun.

In Indian philosophy The Sikh view of the dual nature of Absolute God runs parallel to Shankara's Vedic (Saguna and Nirguna) Brahman conception, as well as the tradition of Indian philosophy in general.

Within Hinduism, they are adjectives, indicating Brahman and its transcendence of all qualities, properties, and predicates (nirguna), or Brahman as possessing qualities (saguna). Advaita sees Nirguna Brahman as the ultimate reality.

See also

Waheguru Ik Onkar Monotheism

References