Book Title: Atmatatva Vichar Or Philosophy Of Soul
Author(s): Vijaylakshmansuri, Ghanshyam Joshi, Kirtivijay Gani
Publisher: Mohanlal D Mehta
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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
he asked for food, he was thirsty and asked for water. Now why does he not ask for anything? Would he eat if fed with a morsel unasked for ? Would he drink water if the same is poured into his mouth? When alive he used to say, "This is my wife, this is my daughter, these are my relatives." Why does he not utter now? Just a moment before he said, "Now what would be the plight of my family, of my property, of my cattles brought up with all care and love ?" He sighed, he lamented, he poured tears. How could all this cease? Are his feelings of love for the family extinguished ? Is his attachment for his wealth diminished ? If that is true, he is blessed. But that is not the case, still all his functions have ceased and this is no doubt a fact.
Would the deceased respond if abused? Would he shirk if kicked ? When alive if touched with burning match stick he atonce quarrelled with the charger and now he would not be excited even when totally consumed to fire on a funeral pyre. He wouid not utter a single cry. Why so ? The reason is : One who cognised, one who saw, one who heard and smelt, one who tasted and touched, one who spoke reflected and one who could act at will has passed away from the body.
If cognisance and perception were the acts of body, they would have persisted even in the corpse and those acts might have continued. But they have ceased and therefore, decidedly those acts do not belong to the body but to the soul. Thus it means that lifeactivity full of consciousness is the most glaring evidence of the existence of soul. How can anyone with commonsense deny this fact ?
Ants and insects overflow with life-activity and so they contain Soul. The paper, the pencil and the knife contain no life-activity and consequently do not contain Soul. The cow, the buffalo, the horse. the fish, the serpent and the man; all possess sentient lifeactivity and therefore, they all contain Soul.
As fire can be inferred from smoke, Soul can be inferred from all sentient activities.
The revered authors of the sacred scriptures have declared, "Soul is characterised by life." This means, the existence of Soul is to be accepted, wherever life or sentient activity is perceived.
