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The soul, due to its false beliefs, becomes engrossed in worldly pleasures and considers them as the ultimate goal, devoting all its energy to attaining them.
In the second stage, the true nature of the soul is not fully revealed, but the veil over it becomes loose and thin, causing its inclination to shift from worldly pleasures towards its pure form. This leads to a sense of renewal in the body, despite its aging, as it is no longer bound by the old desires. This second stage is the stepping stone to the third stage.
In the third stage, the true nature of the soul is revealed, meaning the dense veils over it completely dissolve.
The first, second, and third stages describe the *Bāhyātmā* (external soul) state. The fourth to twelfth stages describe the *Antarātmā* (internal soul) state, and the thirteenth stage describes the *Paramātmā* (supreme soul) state.
"Others, due to the influence of false beliefs, are *Bāhyātmā*, while those influenced by right beliefs are *Antarātmā*, and those influenced by perfect knowledge are *Paramātmā*. The first stage is *Bāhyātmā*, followed by the *Kṣīṇamo* (diminished) stages until the *Antarātmā*, and then the *Paramātmā*. Similarly, *Bāhyātmā* in terms of manifestation, and *Paramātmā* in terms of power. *Antarātmā* in terms of manifestation, and *Paramātmā* in terms of power, *Bāhyātmā* based on past experiences, *Paramātmā* in terms of manifestation, and *Antarātmā* based on past experiences."
- *Adhyātma Matapariksha*, Verse 125.