- Highest universal principal
- Transcends duality of existence and non-existence
- “Creative principle which lies realized in the whole world” (Paul Deussen)
- Vedic Sanskrit word
- Para Brahman
- Para derived from parama meaning highest, primary, most excellent (see also Paramita)
- Vishnu considered as such in Vaishnavism, especially in form of Mahavishnu
- Described as such in the Mahabharata
- Shaivaism: Shiva, Parashiva
- Shaktism: Adi Parashakti (aka Mahadevi, Mahamaya)
See also Ātman - eternal self