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16 • The Concept of Pure Soul an Overview
and thereby achieve liberation – the perfect and purified state of the soul. The souls in the universe are infinite and are distinct from one another. They are always found in embodied condition till they attain the final state of perfection and thereafter the pure souls continue to remain in Moksha forever.
The concept of pure soul is the core concept and concepts of non-violence, non-attachment, non-absolutism, right knowledge, right attitude, right conduct, equanimity, non-possession, peacefulness, happiness, etc., are in deed the attributes of pure soul. 1. The Universe and the Soul
There are six substances in the universe - souls, atoms (matter), space, medium of motion, medium of rest and time. Among the six substances, soul is the living substance and the rest are non-living. Each substance is functionally independent and governed by its own nature. Only a group of atoms are visible and other substances are invisible and are to be recognised or realised. Soul and atoms are the only two active substances, ie., these move from one place to another through the complicated process of operation of Karma particles. The living substances can be either under bondage (influence of matter), affected by the cycle of births and deaths or liberated (Moksha-without bondage). 2. Soul in Mundane Existence
Souls mundane existence is characterised by one's complete ignorance of oneself (soul) and allowing Karmas to operate in its entirety. Through classification of Karma in eight or hundred and forty eight or in many ways, everything that happens to one's soul in contemporary existence is explained. One may like to know, see or acquire
