tman_and_moksa

SR No.: 020053
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: G N Joshi
Publisher: Gujarat University
Publication Year: 1965
Total Pages: 901
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 88

56
Atman and Mokṣa
Self) attached to this body." Thus, it becomes clear that most of the Upanisads hold that the body that is composed of the material elements like fire, air, water, earth and wind, is perishable and the imperishable part of it is the Atman, the Self. The Self departs from the body at the time of death. Whatever is a part of the earthly body and is experienced by it is according to them, transient and hence incapable of yielding eternal bliss. "What is perishable is Primary matter, what is imperishable, is Hara, the Bearer, the Soul." The earthly life has its own limitations and the reflective minds are unable to secure everlasting joy from it. Naturally, man finds it useless to revolve round and round in the cycle of births and deaths. Thus, it is said in the Maitrayani Upanisad-"In this sort of cycle of existence (samsara) what is the good of enjoyment of desires, when after a man had fed on them, there is seen repeatedly his return to earth? Be pleased to deliver me. In this cycle of existence, I am like a frog in a waterless well. Sir, you are our way of escape." It was natural that man should have found it fruitless to continue to revolve in this cycle of births and deaths as the pleasures enjoyed here transient. Men must have felt it worthless to come to the earth repeatedly and to live a tiresome finite life in which all pleasures and joys are transient, momentary and limited. But rebirth is not supposed to be a voluntary
1
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
1 Ch. Up. 8.12.3.
2 S'vét. Up. 1.10.
3 Maitrayani Up. 1.4. Tr. Hume R. E., p. 414.
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