Ishavara

Ishvara is the Lord, the Supreme Ruler, the Highest Consciousness – the personal aspect of the Absolute manifested in the vibration of the pranava, the primordial OM. Krishna, as Ishvara, revealed the immortal Yoga to Arjuna on the field of Kurukshetra; therefore, the Bhagavad Gita may also be called the Song of Ishvara. Ishvara is Brahman, and beyond this there is nothing.

Lord Shiva is called Maheshvara, and his Shakti is Maheshvari. Etymologically, the word Ishvara derives from the word Isha. Isha is pure presence, without attributes, close to the non-dual Absolute (Brahman). Ishvara is that same presence, but realized as active, guiding, and participating in the world. Conditionally speaking: Isha is being, while Ishvara is being and acting.

In the Isha Upanishad, the word Isha points to the all-pervading presence of the Absolute. In yoga and bhakti, Ishvara is the object of contemplation, devotion, and inner alignment (Ishvara-pranidhana). Ishvara is like the Sun – the center of all centers and of all that is possible.

Author: Yogi Isha