Enlightened Vision of the Self

Author(s): Akalankadev, Devendra K Goyal
Publisher: Radiant Publishers New Delhi

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THE ENLIGHTENED VISION OF THE SELF
prameyatuadibhir dharmairacidatma cidatmakah. jnana-darshana-tastas macetanacetamakah. (4)
When Soul is viewed in reference to sensual perceivability, it attributed with non-consciousness. And when viewed with reference to comprehensibility based on knowledge and perception, the Soul is attributed with consciousness. Thus, the two different standpoints, in a way, give the Soul attributes of both non-consciousness and
consciousness.
EXPLANATION
Consciousness is a distinctive attribute of the Soul. It has two forms - knowledge and perception. Based on this attribute of consciousness and its two forms - knowledge and perception, the Soul is known to be chetan or with consciousness. Beside this property of consciousness, the Soul possesses other numerous perceivable material properties, which are also found in non-living achetan substances. If only these properties are considered, the Soul can also be said to be achetan or devoid of consciousness.
स्वदेहप्रमितश्चायं ज्ञानमात्रोऽपि सम्मतः ।
तत्सर्वगतः सोऽपि, विश्वव्यापी न सर्वथा ।। 5 ।।
खण्डान्वयः अयम्- यह आत्मा, स्वदेहप्रमितः = स्वदेहप्रमाण है, च =और (इसे ही ) ज्ञानमात्रोऽपि = ज्ञानमात्र ( परिमाणवाला) भी, सम्मत: = माना गया है। तत्-उस ज्ञान के, सर्वगततः = सर्वगतत्व होने से, सोऽपि = वह आत्मा भी, विश्वव्यापी = विश्वव्यापी है, ( किन्तु यह बात ), न सर्वथा = सर्वथा ( एकान्ततः ) नहीं है ।
suadeba pramitashcayam, jnanamatropi sammatah. tatsaragatatah sopi, vishyapi na sarutha. (5)
The Soul is equal to the audaric sharir (living body, having all the senses) and takes the shape of the body it occupies. Soul is also perceived as knowledge. Since knowledge knows all the objects of knowledge as in the omniscient stage, the soul is said to be all pervading. But it is not so absolutely.