Atmatatva Vichar Or Philosophy Of Soul

SR No.: 023322
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vijaylakshmansuri, Ghanshyam Joshi, Kirtivijay Gani
Publisher: Mohanlal D Mehta
Publication Year: 1963
Total Pages: 568
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 39 MB

Page 67

44
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
how would the soul of an elephant enter the body of an ant unless it is divided ? But such a doubt arises out of ignorance about the nature of soul.
SOUL HAS THE NATURE OF CONTRACTION AND EXPANSION
Soul is indivisible and possessed of the virtue of contraction and expansion, consequently it pervades the physique it enters upon. Thus the soul of an elephant contracts himself to assume body of an ant without dividing himself. A piece of cloth which is folded is said as contracted and when torn is said to have been divided. Now you must have realised the difference between contraction and division.
We can illustrate the lamp and light to bring home the idea of contraction and expansion. A lamp when confined to a room measuring 40' X 40' sheds its light in the same manner as it does when confined in different rooms measuring 20' x 20' or 10' x 10'.
SOUL HAS DIMENSIONS EQUAL TO THOSE OF THE BODY
Soul pervades throughout the length and breadth of the body. The characteristics of the soul are not perceived out of the body and therefore it cannot extend beyond body. If soul extends beyond body how would it experience pains and pleasures there in the protuberance and without the enjoyment of pains and pleasures the idea of the fruits of one's actions would totter down and thus many incongruencies might arise if we presume extension of soul beyond the physique.
Some hold that the soul is much smaller in size as compared with the body. They believe that ATMAN is as small as a grain of rice or barley or small like a nut etc. But then if soul is comparatively more subtle than the body then the problem arises as to where is its abode? Where does he stay? If it is replied that the Soul resides in the heart, then the remaining regions of the body would not experience pains and pleasures. If a pin is pierced in any part of the body it does experience pain, and if sandal paste is annointed it enjoys pleasure. Therefore, the soul does neither pervade beyond the physical frame nor does it stay contracted in place smaller than the frame it resides in. Thus the soul measures as much as its container, the body it occupies.