On Life and Liberation

Author(s): Mukesh Chhajer
Publisher: Mukesh Chhajer

Page 35

On Life and Liberation
videha kshetra. Let's try to understand what is Videha kshetra? Videha means separation from the body (vi + deha = without + body). Therefore, Videha kshetra is that kshetra (i.e., body) where jiva roams but does not always identifies itself with body. A jiva who has entered the Videha kshetra, i.e., has understood and realized the separation of body and soul, even though only briefly, has already taken a major step in the direction of achieving liberation. It has already understood the nature of karma, the process of asrava and bandha, and how to overcome and stop them. It has glimpsed the true nature of the soul that is all-knowing all-powerful and ever radiant even though it may be only momentary since disturbances are only suppressed not eliminated. However, suppression of these disturbances even for a moment means that various charkas were in relatively pure state during this time and their negative tendencies were not dominating. This understanding by the jiva is not just intellectual, it is experiential. This is a rebirth though not in an ordinary sense. It is a birth and awakening of a new consciousness for the jiva. Once a jiva has this experience, it has invoked the inner guru who is ever present since the inner guru is nothing but the soul in its purest form. A soul in its purest form is a Kevali. Therefore, once a jiva has realized the separation of body and soul even temporarily (i.e., born in the Videha kshetra), it has gained access to the inner Guru who is fully realized Supreme Soul itself (i.e., a kevali) that is ever present to provide the guidance on the journey to liberation. Here a contact with the inner guru has been established that the jiva can now utilize. Before the experience of the separation of body and soul, even though the pure soul was present, it was covered by the paudgalic material and, therefore, hidden. That jiva is now out of the clutches of external time and free to proceed towards its own liberation. Of course, it still has to make the necessary efforts but these are not controlled by external factors. We are mired in the process of death and birth
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