Omnipotence Paradox

[Guest DumbIdiotBanda]

VJKK VJKF

 

The omnipotence paradox goes like this:

 

Can god create a rock he cannot lift?

 

If you answer yes, god is not omnipotent because god will not be able to lift the rock

 

If you answer no, god is not omnipotent because god can’t create that rock.

 

I have one possible answer and that is that it is unknowable. But this is not a satisfactory answer to this question. My question is, any solutions to this sangat ji?

 

VJKK VJKF

[Singhstah]

This paradox only works with the Abrahmic conception of God which is that of a creator and a creation which is a completely separate entity from God.

 

Gurmat teaches that Vaheguru is "IK OANKAAR" - this is an all pervading "force" so to speak which in our universe takes the form of the sound "Oaannn(g)". This force has a mind and personality (not an impersonal force), it pervades everyone and everything. No part of creation is separate from this - what is perceived to be a created thing is simply a wave eminating from the ocean that is Vaheguru, i.e. the creation and creator are one. Therefore this concept of creation and destruction as we know it, and how it is posed in the paradox question, is an illusion that does not exist - all that exists is oneness (Vaheguru) in various forms.

The above answer alone should cover it, but to add an extra layer, should Vaheguru wish to engage in this, he certainly can - One way of explaining what " Ik OANKAAR" is is to say that it is actually the sum total of everything and more. Ik OANKAAR can at one time take any "God form" he likes and also the form of such an unliftable rock -both are God. Then, should God so decide he wants to, he can make another form of himself which then lifts the rock. 

 

The sakhi of how Harnakhash was killed despite him having a divine boon which seemingly made him immortal is a great example of divine creativity being far beyond limited human intelligence and that ultimately God can literally do anything in a way that mere human brains could never conceive. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was also displaying divine creativity when he created the multi-tassled chola. 

In short, Vaheguru can not be limited in anyway and can answer absolutely anything.