The term 'Soul' (Eng.) has a different meaning then the one that is used in the deva bhasha samskrutam (not the Anglicized 'sans krit' which gives a wrong meaning?). It is 'Atma' (samsk.). Atman is defined or explained in a number of different ways by different knowledgeable persons. Some say it is the core of the substance like an indivisible subtler-most form of an atom (trasarenu, atom or anu, dvayanu and tryanu, etc. Sage Kanada has given a detailed analysis of this primordial matter that is at the base of all creation. There are the Sankhyans (jnyanis) who give a detailed account of the fundamental principles (moola tattva) of creation. Sage Kapila is the proponent of this and it is also associated with yoga (practical method of visualization and experience!). The abstract forces that are behind the gross objective phenomenal world cannot be explained in words since the alphabets required for the construction of meaningful words are yet to be created in this process. Thus, nothing can be said about what cannot be put in words. Hence many a great sages have simply said 'Atman', the core of substance. All that exists has a spiritual base and a gross covering, as such, only the gross is visible and the spiritual, energy content, is invisible. Thus, Atman is the energy, the mainstay of all that exists. In case of the living beings, it is this energy principle, the prana-shakti, that sustains and it is said to be the one that has no beginning or end. Energy cannot be created or destroyed is the principle. Thus 'Atman' is the deathless, eternal, and immortal entity of all that exists as a phenomenal world.
Now, what exactly is this 'Soul', the Atman? In a way, it is everything! As the core of the substance, the basis of what all that exists, it is everything! It has the power of creation, sustenance and dissolution. It is as good as the Creator! In fact, our physical body is created by the power of this Soul, the Atman. It is the seed that creates a tree, but found nowhere in it! The Vedic doctrine of the Atman is very clear. It is supreme Lord, the power (Shakti), knowledge (jnyan), resources (aishvarya), strength and power (bala), and the potency (virya) that go into creation. All these are the powers of Shree Hari Narayana that manifests as Lakshmi. Thus, Goddess Lakshmi says, I only manifest in all, as the Atman, the core of the substance! (See Lakshmi Tantra). The supreme Lord manifests in all and Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, I am residing all as the Self', the Atma of all!
Thus, Atma is nothing but the supreme Lord, paramatman. Atma eva brahmaa is the Vedic doctrine. It is this knowledge of Brahman that is imparted in the Gita as the secret science of 'knowledge of teh self'. Gits reveals the secret of creation. It is the brahma vidya and it is the means of knowing the Brahman, as yoga shastra. Whoever knows this, understands this concept and experiences in yogic trance becomes one with Brahman.
Now, what exactly is this 'Soul', the Atman? In a way, it is everything! As the core of the substance, the basis of what all that exists, it is everything! It has the power of creation, sustenance and dissolution. It is as good as the Creator! In fact, our physical body is created by the power of this Soul, the Atman. It is the seed that creates a tree, but found nowhere in it! The Vedic doctrine of the Atman is very clear. It is supreme Lord, the power (Shakti), knowledge (jnyan), resources (aishvarya), strength and power (bala), and the potency (virya) that go into creation. All these are the powers of Shree Hari Narayana that manifests as Lakshmi. Thus, Goddess Lakshmi says, I only manifest in all, as the Atman, the core of the substance! (See Lakshmi Tantra). The supreme Lord manifests in all and Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, I am residing all as the Self', the Atma of all!
Thus, Atma is nothing but the supreme Lord, paramatman. Atma eva brahmaa is the Vedic doctrine. It is this knowledge of Brahman that is imparted in the Gita as the secret science of 'knowledge of teh self'. Gits reveals the secret of creation. It is the brahma vidya and it is the means of knowing the Brahman, as yoga shastra. Whoever knows this, understands this concept and experiences in yogic trance becomes one with Brahman.
No comments:
Post a Comment