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that sense earlier, he calls it
shell. As he had never gained unprecedented.
Bhäsyun Nij Swaroop Te, Shuddha Chetanä Roop; Ajar, Amar, Avinashi Ne, Dehätit Swaroop.
I now visualize my nature as pure consciousness, which is ageless, immortal, imperishable and transcendental. (120)
Explanation & Discussion:
He now turns to second Fundamental relating to the everlastingness of soul. For that purpose he presents four attributes of pure soul as being ageless, immortal, indestructible, and transcendental. As stated earlier, soul is an original substance, which cannot be made by any composition or combination. This is in contrast to the body, which is a composition and is subject to decomposition. Since no original substance can decompose or perish; soul is imperishable and immortal.
All compositions are subject to wear and tear. It is our experience that the body continues to wear. It grows old, ages, and goes on losing its vitality. This represents the process of a slow but steady decomposition, and the body eventually gets decomposed entirely. Soul is not subject to such process of decomposition. It stays the same forever. During its infinite wandering it has adopted the shapes of various bodies. It has faced pain and misery, which the bodies have been subjected to in different births. Regardless of that, none of its (soul's) parts has been worn, damaged, mutilated, or fallen apart. Not being subject to wear and tear, it is ageless and indestructible. Though abiding in the body for the time being, it is not a part thereof. Thus being different and distinct from the embodiment, soul is transcendental.
Most people detest the impact of aging and therefore try to cover the symptoms of graying hair, wrinkles, etc. by dyeing, cosmetics, etc. Moreover, they generally remain scared of impending death. Barring the few enlightened persons everyone thus stays in fears relating to old age, disease, death, loss of wealth, respect, status, etc. These fears arise out of considerations for the body. After realizing the true nature one can make out that he is the soul, which is ageless, indestructible, and immortal. It is unbreakable, indivisible, inviolable, and non-combustible. No external situation is capable to afflict it. As such, one feels free from fright. He has nothing to fear about. Such a person stays fearless in all the situations, which are subject to continual changes.
The phrase 'Shuddha Chetanä Roop' used in this stanza needs some explanation. It refers to awareness, which is the main attribute of soul.
