Are Paramatma and Brahman Synonymous?
According to the Bhagavad Gita and other texts, Paramatma and Brahman are two different aspects of the Divine, although they are related. Here are the distinctions:
Brahman: This aspect refers to the formless, infinite principle that is the source of all creation, beyond attributes and qualities. In the Gita, it is often described in a more abstract manner.
Paramatma: This term is used for the Supreme Soul that resides within all beings. It is the aspect of God that is personal and tangible, direct within the hearts of all living entities, thus allowing for a more intimate connection.
The Gita elucidates these concepts further, indicating that understanding Paramatma can lead one closer to personal devotion (Bhagavān), while Brahman is a realization of God that is more distant, akin to an impersonal understanding of the Divine.
In summary, while both terms refer to the Supreme Being, Brahman is the unmanifested and formless aspect, whereas Paramatma represents the manifested aspect of God that is present within all living beings. For further reference, see Chapter 18, Verse 61, where it is stated that the Supreme Lord dwells in the hearts of all living beings【4:0†source】.