How the Jiva arrives on Earth!
The Bhagavad-Gita explains how the jiva arrives on earth. All the living
beings survive on food which comes from the soil. Plants depend on Rain for
germination of seeds. Rain comes from clouds. Clouds are formed from
evaporation of water from oceans due to sun’s heat. Thus, it is the same ‘solar
energy’ that lies in the form of water vapor in the clouds that produce rain
due to cooling and condensation. This ‘solar energy’ is the ‘life–force’ that
we get from the sun as well as the distant stars. Each jiva is an ‘ion’, a
subatomic particle, a photon, a stellar dust particle, in this sense of the
term.
This life-force or ‘prana’ is at the root of all jivas (prani). Water, heat, and soil play a very important role in germination
of the seed. Vedic Texts say, “purusha’
(brahmn) is the seed. In the Gita,
Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “I am the seed of creation”. Everything is ‘chaitanya’,
energy inherent in spirit as we as matter that is unborn, eternal and immortal.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. Energy is derived from sun and distant
stars, too, as far as earth and its living beings are concerned.
The germination of seed and
fertilization of eggs are curious aspects of life. Also, there are viruses and
germs automatically appearing from nowhere! Shoots cut and transplanted also
grow and thus propagation takes place. These are andaja, budbhuda, svedaja and
retaja- the four types of propagation. Chaitanya, prana, life-force is the
critical factor in creating life. This prana or life-force is coming from
oxygen and hydrogen, but who puts it there is the question! Moreover, one seed
only becomes a orchard, plantation, or forest. One person only becomes family,
society, and nation.
The life-force or ‘prana’ is at the root of all jivas (prani). Water and soil play a very important role in germination of the
seed. Where does the prana lie is still open to question since it is said to be
in the space (akasha) with the mind and desire! Mind and mood, desire and
attachment are important subtler forces in creation. “No desire, no life”, is
the doctrine. This is explained in the ‘madhurashtakam’ (Sweet/attraction/magnetism?)
and the doctrine of sacrifice, ‘yajnya’, in the Veda. “Everything is sweet’ (madhuram)* and sacrifice”, says the Veda.
The Sun burns itself, sacrifices itself, to produce heat, light, energy and
life-force and thereby created all the paraphernalia of life-forms on earth.
Each one is a link in the food chain and a sacrifice, at that. Man sacrifices
his freedom for a wife and family, the family for the society, the society for
the nation, and the nations for the world at large. This goes on and on until
everything ends at the wave of the magic wand of the lord. Bhagavan Shree
Krishna says, “I am the magician (mayavin)
and I project/ create with my magic wand (Sudarshana
chakra) and, withdraw/ destroy everything.” He says “I am Time”. Kaalo’smi | Sudarshan Chakra in the hand of Vishnu or the Churning Rod in the hands of Udupi Krishna are the symbolic expression of 'Time'.
According to the Gita, things should happen by
will of God! The Lord says, it is my lila!
Learned sages, Jnyanis, say, “Oh Lord, not a blade of grass stirs
without your will”; na trunamapi chalati te na vinaa | Only divine will
prevails.
*This
water is the honey (effect) of all beings, and all beings are the honey
(effect) of this water. Likewise, the bright, immortal being who is in this
water and the bright, immortal being existing as the semen in the body are both
honey. These four are but this Self. The Knowledge of this Self is the means to
Immortality; this underlying unity is Brahman; this Knowledge of Brahman is the
means of becoming all.
This fire is the honey (effect) of all beings, and all beings
are the honey (effect) of this fire. Likewise, the bright, immortal being who
is in this fire and the bright, immortal being identified with the organ of
speech in the body are both honey. These four are but this Self. The Knowledge
of this Self is the means to Immortality; this underlying unity is Brahman;
this Knowledge of Brahman is the means of becoming all.
This air is the honey (effect) of all beings, and all beings are
the honey (effect) of this air. Likewise, the bright, immortal being who is in
this air and the bright, immortal being identified with the vital breath in the
body are both honey. These four are but this Self. The Knowledge of this Self
is the means to Immortality; this underlying unity is Brahman; this Knowledge
of Brahman is the means of becoming all.[
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