Neti Neti - A Story from the Shiv Purana

Brahma was deeply driven to share his vast knowledge with those who sought understanding. His aspiration was to meticulously capture and articulate every aspect of existence within the Vedas. He desired to not just describe everything in the world, but everything that the world comes from.  So he started discovering.

Arriving at a gathering of revered sages (devtaas), Brahma set forth a condition: he would impart his wisdom solely to those deemed ready to receive it. He sought earnest listeners, emphasizing that if none were present, he would remain silent. 

On a particular day, Brahma expressed his reluctance to speak, citing the absence of receptive ears. He lamented that the assembly was engrossed in their individual desires, entangled in the conflicts of their own minds. Brahma voiced his frustration, noting only two attentive listeners amidst the congregation—Shiv and Vishnu. However, he hesitated to impart knowledge to them, as they already possessed profound understanding. They were acquainted with concepts of beauty, divinity, longing, love, purity, and knowledge, mirroring Brahma's own wisdom.

Seeking validation, Brahma yearned for assurance of his own knowledge. Vishnu bestowed upon him a blessing of success, acknowledging his endeavors. Yet, Shiv withheld his blessing, stipulating that he would grant it only when Brahma himself attained complete enlightenment. So Brahma continued discovering and describing.

After years of sharing his teachings, Brahma resolved to conclude his lectures, eschewing verbal communication. He uttered "Neti Neti," signifying "This is not, this is not," indicating the inadequacy of words to encapsulate the entirety of existence. In this acknowledgment of incompleteness, Shiv proclaimed Brahma's completeness, drawing a parallel to the ocean's inherent nature—it does not proclaim its identity; it simply is.