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abuse or a punch. What happened? Just a few minutes ago he could do everything. Now all of a sudden everything ceased. Why? Because the one who saw, who felt, who moved, who spoke, who heard, who smelt, who tasted and who could act at will left the body. So it proves that the activity was because of the existence of something else other than the body. That other is the soul or Atma.
When the soul leaves, the body is dead and inactive. So anything that grows, flourishes or moves has life and wherever there is life there is soul e.g. plants, veges, insects, fish, serpents, horses etc. That which does not grow, flourish or move has no life. Hence one sees the growth, the movement and the multiplicity of life but the soul is not seen. So we have to accept the existence of an invisible entity by its visible operative effect. As fire can be inferred from smoke, soul can be inferred from life and all sentient activities.
Thus the acceptance of the concept of the existence of the soul is the very fundamental plank in the spiritual journey of self realization and the freedom from bondage.
The broad translation of a poem by by Dr. Bharil of Jaipur,summarises the attributes of the living soul.In the poem the soul describes itself in the following way.
"I am self sufficient,
without trace of anything else, Tasteless, formless,
without colour, without attachment,
without hatred, I am unique,
I am invisible body of consciousness, happy in my own physique.
I am responsible for my success or failure and none else.
I am pure, omniscient, one unaffected by other's act.
I realise myself through me,
I am knowledge and bliss perfect."
Pramoda Chitrabhanu's Jai Jinendra
