Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 2 Vibhag 2

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

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of the body, dissolves into the same elements, as bubbles of water, when those five elements are destroyed. In this way, as 'caitanya' is born from the body which is the assemblage of the elements, the body is the source of 'caitanya' and the term Ātmä as used by the people, is nothing else but the body.
Atmā is not different from the body. Hence it is said in the Védas that (a zehastea na prétyasanjnā asti-there are no separate terms for the body and the soul; but the body itself is the soul.
On the other hand, seeing other Védic statements that Ātmā is different from body which is formed out of the elements, a doubt is created in your mind as to whether the body itself is the Soul or the Soul is separate and different from the body.
The following are the Vedic verses showing that Ātmā is different from the body
सत्येन लभ्यस्तपसा ह्येष ब्रह्मचर्येण नित्यं ज्योतिर्मयो हि शुद्धो यं । पश्यन्ति धीरा गायः संयतात्मानः ।
Satyéna lahlıyastapasā hyéşa brahma--caryena nityam jyoti-rmayo hi śuddho vam paśyanti dhīrā yatayah samyatātmānaḥ
[eria 370Faqar. ........ fg gat Satyéna labhya stapasă . ......hi suddho) 1-e this Ātma-Soul-which is eternal and full of light and purity-can be realised by means of truth, austerity and celibacy. [यं पश्यत्ति धीरा यतयःसंयतास्मान: yam pasyanti dhira, yatayah samyatamāraḥ-i-e the palient and self-controlled ascltics can realise this soul.
These statements go to prove that Ātmā is different from the body. In this way, on account of contradictory Védic statements, a doubt is produced in your mind, whether the body itself is Ātmā or whether the Ātrā is different from the body. But Väyubhâtil this doubt of yours is improper because, you have not followed the meaninr of the Vedic statement [f 7877 09 etc