A Sanskrit term describing the absolute, highest manifestation of Transcendence.
Although traditionally translated into English as "God", this term, "Bhagavan", is used by many who wish to distance themselves from the jingoistic uses of that traditional term, e.g., "God bless the U.S.A", "God is on our side", "My God is better than your god", "In God we trust", "God damn you to hell".
It is also used to differentiate between a spiteful, smiteful, jealous deity (as mentioned in the Bible) with an all-blissful Deity (as mentioned in the quintessential Hindu scripture, the Bhagavata Purana).
Although traditionally translated into English as "God", this term, "Bhagavan", is used by many who wish to distance themselves from the jingoistic uses of that traditional term, e.g., "God bless the U.S.A", "God is on our side", "My God is better than your god", "In God we trust", "God damn you to hell".
It is also used to differentiate between a spiteful, smiteful, jealous deity (as mentioned in the Bible) with an all-blissful Deity (as mentioned in the quintessential Hindu scripture, the Bhagavata Purana).
by Elmer the Fudpucker December 30, 2011