Aptavani 01

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Dada Bhagwan Foundation

Page 96

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discards the old body when it is secured in the new effective body. There are some rare Souls that cannot secure a new body immediately. These souls roam in vain without a body and when they find a new body, only then do they find release from wandering.
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After acquiring a human form, the soul can pass through other life forms such as those in celestial world, animal world or hell for up to a maximum of eight lives but then returns to the human form. It is only through the human life form that one is degraded or diverted to other life forms. It is also from the human life form that the soul's wandering comes to an end (liberation). If one knows how to successfully fulfill the purpose of the human life, liberation is possible and if one does not, then the human life also becomes the instrument for increasing one's endless wandering and suffering. In all other life forms there is only release from that life form. In the human form there is release but at the same time there is bondage for further life forms. Therefore get your work done, now that you have this rare opportunity of having acquired a human life form. "The Soul has spent endless lives for the body, if the body were to live just one life for the Soul, your purpose will be fulfilled.'
It is only in the human form that an encounter with a Gnani Purush will bring about liberation. Even the celestial beings yearn for a birth as a human. Just by encountering a Gnani Purush and establishing a connection with him, the body, which for endless lives had been a foe, becomes a friend. You have met the Gnani in this human body so get your work done. Complete your connection and swim across to the other side.
How much affection do I have for this body of mine? 'I' have already acquired liberation through this body and procured my salvation. My affection and care for this body is only to the point that it becomes the instrument for the salvation of others.
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But otherwise my relationship with this body is one like that with a neighbor.
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I do not have any rights over this body. Whoever has the right will come and make their claim and take it. You have to treat this body of yours as a friend and get your work done. There is no telling what can happen to this body at any time. Nothing however can happen to the territory of the Self. The body that will take you to moksha is very strong. The body through which liberation is attained is called the 'charam sharira' (the ultimate body).
How long does God reside in the body? God resides only as long as the pratishthit atma (charged atma) remains in it. But the main support is that of the pure Self. The one that depends on air (breathing) is mortal. If the nose were to be pinched shut for eight minutes, the life within would cease. This is all machinery.
Awareness of the body is considered a state of stupor and ignorance; 'I am Chandulal' is ignorance. The awareness of, 'I am pure Self' is liberation.
The gross body is free from any attachment and abhorrence (vitarag). It is as detached as this wooden stool. The Self too is vitarag. It is the subtle body (that which is not seen, it is not to be confused with the subtle electrical body described above) that is responsible for everything. The subtle body is made up of certain special atoms. None of the activities or behaviour of the gross body have anything to do with the Soul. The subtle body alone endures all suffering. The subtle body is the manifestation of the soul. It is through the subtle body that one does the projection (pratishtha) of 'I-ness' in the wrong place. Therefore the subtle body is like the pratishthit atma.
The higher the number of karmas the smaller the body and as the karmas become lesser the body becomes bigger, for