Sat-Chit-Ananda

A Sanskrit compound word frequently used in Ved€nta philosophy. The word “cit” is sometimes written “chit,” since it is pronounced that way. Sometimes the three are combined into a single word as saccid€nanda. Note that Sanskrit rules of saŠdhi (euphonic combination) require the t in sat to change to a c before the c in cit, just as they require the t in cit to change to a d before the € in €nanda.

Sat is “absolute be-ness”; pure being; reality.

Cit is “pure thought”; intelligence; consciousness. Ananda is “bliss”; the highest state of happiness.

The combination is used to describe the state of Brahman, the highest Being of our universe. Any individual who has achieved Mok±a, or is at one with the highest state of consciousness is said to enjoy Sat-Chit-šnanda.

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