Atma the Self

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

Page 89

.... ATMĀ "
The Self....
to ourselves, and assimilate them into space-points of the Soul (Bandha). Thus the natural qualities of the Soul are more or less obscured, and consequently various conditions of weal (Punya) and woe (Pāpa) are experienced. The continual attraction, fusion and assimilation of the subtle forms of matter leads to different type of bodies in four states of existences (Gati) in ascending and descending forms, according to our activities-actions (Karman) good or bad, in a continuous cycle of births and rebirths for countless 'Pudgala Parāvarta Kāla' (one Pudgala Parāvarta = infinite Time cycles. One Time cycle = countless years.)
When Time (Kāla) is due/ripe the 'Bhavya' (Soul) having the capability of emancipation, enters the last 'Pudgala Parāvarta Kāla Cycle'. Until now his endeavours were for worldly materialistic happiness, pleasure, food, etc. Even his prayers, rituals, charities were for selfish-end, mostly for the present life.
The Bhavya Soul becomes spiritually slightly inclined towards religion (Spiritual Childhood). The individual develops gradually with moral and mental discipline, self - control, etc. He puts his 'Puruşārtha'- efforts, endeavours to fight unnatural Karmic Energies, which can be stopped by reducing and stopping the influx ('Samvara') and finally by ridding the Soul of assimilated matter by 'Tapa' (Nirjarā).
With self-control, he overcomes impure desires of the five senses and the mind (Visaya) and controls his passions of attachment (Raga) and aversion (Dvēşa), anger, egoism, deceit and greed (Kasāya) (Young age and Master Teacher). With more and more unimpeded activities of the immortal self in the form of right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, wisdom, love, contentment, strength, blissfulness, etc., he overcomes ignorance, falsebelief, greed, foolishness, cruelty and weakness. Pain and miseries are removed for ever. Finally he achieves the 'Eternal Salvation' - the 'Mākşa', 'Ever-lasting Bliss'.
To be a slave to the five senses and its desires (visaya) and to be at the mercy of and to be overwhelmed by passions (Kasāya) is Samsār-Ocean of worldly illusions. A samsāri person generally considers himself to be smart and efficient, will not hesitate, to commit any sin through deceits,
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