Hindus: Does the Self has a form?

[The Crimson Universe]

Below are some of the scriptural passages taken from various upanishads mentioning the features/form of the Self.

(In Shvetashvatara upanishad 3-8) :
'In color like the sun'

(In Chhandogya upanishad 3-4-12) : 'Luminous in form'

(In Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) :
'Self-Luminous'
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But in other upanishads (like in the ones below) it has been said that the Self has no form.

The Self being described as formless in (Katha upanishad 3-15.)

"His form stands not in our ken, nor can anyone see him with the eye." (Shvetashvatara upanishad 4-20).

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So why are there contradictory statements in the upanishads and does the Self has a form?

 

[Vinayaka]

In my understanding, it's formless.

 

[stvdv]

So why are there contradictory statements in the upanishads

Words are used to describe Tat what is beyond words
Saints declared that only in Silence the Truth can be known

It's actually not so difficult to understand why there are seemingly contradictory statements IMO. This non-duality concept is a bit hard to grasp for mortals living in a dualistic world. Hence we have teachers. When we are enlightened, we need no words to explain, because we already know the truth. But while we study, words are useful to gain understanding, but the smart student will always remember that the final truth is beyond the words. It's like bootstrapping, you use something which you later don't need, hence also in Buddhism it is said to 'kill the Buddha' as your final step (not literally of course).

 

[Left Coast]

***MOVED TO RELIGIONS Q&A***

 

[The Crimson Universe]

When we are enlightened, we need no words to explain, because we already know the truth. But while we study, words are useful to gain understanding...

But may i know what does the jnani sees or realizes during enlightenment?
If Brahman has no form then what does one beholds during enlightenment?

 

[Ashoka]

In my understanding, it's formless.

I agree. It's ultimately formless, but it can take form. The Self is also Brahman, which has form (Saguna) and no form (Nirguna).

 

[Martin]

Below are some of the scriptural passages taken from various upanishads mentioning the features/form of the Self.

(In Shvetashvatara upanishad 3-8) :
'In color like the sun'

(In Chhandogya upanishad 3-4-12) : 'Luminous in form'

(In Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) :
'Self-Luminous'
-----------------------------

But in other upanishads (like in the ones below) it has been said that the Self has no form.

The Self being described as formless in (Katha upanishad 3-15.)

"His form stands not in our ken, nor can anyone see him with the eye." (Shvetashvatara upanishad 4-20).

------------------------------

So why are there contradictory statements in the upanishads and does the Self has a form?

I think Self is formless. "Formless" meaning without shape, and therefore without boundary.