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it cannot be created in it by undergoing it through innumerable processes of combination and permutation. Thus material objects, like pots, tables etc which are devoid of consciousness, can never be made to yield it in whatever way they are changed or processed. All these things will result in producing objects of the same materialistic order. It is thus established that soul which is characterised by the wise as a conscious substance, cannot be created from material objects like earth, water, air, and space etc. The particular characteristic of soul is consciousness. Where it is not found, or which is devoid of it, that, of course, is a material substance. Animate and inanimate-these two are enternal entities. Besides the above, there are other methods also for the eternity and immortality of soul. If you just ponder deep you yourself can well realise the permanence of soul. There is no harm or objection, rather it carries you to truth, to accept the fact that the feelings of pleasure & pain, the desire of getting free from them, thoughts and inspiration etc. are all experiences due to the existence of soul and that soul is primarily a conscious entity. Since such conscious feeling, willing and knowing are always present in soul, therefore, it is eternal. For a clear understanding of such philosophical questions, it is advisible for you to first read the "Shaddarshana-samuchchaya' which is being sent to you.
2. The soul in its pure conscious state, i. e. in the state of its self-realisation, is the creator of its own inherent characteristics of knowledge, perception and samadhi i. e. spiritual equanimity. But in the state of its ignorance the soul becomes a creator of emotions like anger, conceit, deceit, greed etc. which are all foreign
to it. Not only this much, under the influence of these emotions, soul through its instrumentality also becomes a creator of things like pot, & table etc. To put it more expressively, though soul is not the creator of the substratums of earth from which pots etc. are prepared, yet it becomes a creator of processes which give new modifications to it. This latter state and functioning of soul is called "Karma' i.e. action in Jainism, and
Bhranti' i.e. illusion in the Vedanta. Other systems of Philosophy also refer to this state of soul by similar sort of terms. But solemn and serene thinking reveals the truth that in reality the soul is neither a creator of pot etc., nor of the emotions of anger, conceit etc. In fact, it is a creator of its own conscious characteristics of feelings, willing and knowing.
3. The Karmas (actions) which are done in ignorance of one's own self, though in the beginning are merely seeds, yet at the time of maturity they turn into trees laden with heavy fruits. It is thus self-evident that the soul itself has to bear the fruits of its actions. Just as by giving a touch to fire you first feel its heat and then pain follows, similar is the state of the mundane soul. It also by coming in contect with earthly objects by its sensuous organs, first gives rise to emotions of greed, anger and deceit etc. and then as its fruits has to suffer the pangs of birth, death and old age. Please ponder well over these problems with a detached mind and if you have any doubts please rewrite to me. It is the detached mind, which gives strength for abstinence and control and ultimately leads the soul to Nirvana.
