Sat-Chit-Anand and Pleroma: A Comparative Study in Cross-Cultural Metaphysics and Human Flourishing

Different metaphysical traditions describe the relationship between ultimate reality, consciousness, and human flourishing in parallel ways. Vedantic non-dualism presents ultimate reality as Sat-Chit-Anand (being, consciousness, bliss), while Gnostic thought expresses a similar vision through the idea of Pleroma as divine fullness. A comparative hermeneutic analysis of these traditions suggests that both affirm ontological unity, transformative knowledge or gnosis, and an ethical orientation toward non-egoic wholeness. The life of Lord Ram in Sri Ramacaritamanasa is explored as a narrative embodiment of these metaphysical principles.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper examines how distinct metaphysical traditions articulate the relationship among ultimate reality, consciousness, and human flourishing. Vedantic non-dualism conceives ultimate reality as Sat-Chit-Anand (being, consciousness, bliss), while Gnostic thought expresses a comparable vision through the idea of Pleroma as divine fullness. Using a comparative hermeneutic approach, the study interprets these concepts within their textual traditions and places them in dialogue. The analysis suggests that both frameworks affirm ontological unity, transformative knowledge or gnosis, and an ethical orientation toward non-egoic wholeness. The life of Lord Ram in Sri Ramacaritamanasa is explored as a narrative embodiment of these metaphysical principles therein.