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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
Ātman and Moksa
the first meaning of Ātman. It appears that the widely known meaning of Ātman is the 'breathing principle'. In reply to a question "what is the soul ? (Ko nu Ātmā- I 37TCHT)", the term Ātman is understood as the 'thinking or intelligent principle', which, although connected with the gross physical body constituted of the five elements, yet is consciousness (Cetanah).' Deussen also says — “Thus Ātman means that which remains if we take away from our person all that is Non-Self, foreign, all that comes and passes away; it means the 'changeless, inseparable essence of our own Self, and on the other hand the essence of the Self of the whole world.... it means the only true essence of our nature, our ātman, our Self."2
In the compound 'Ajo bhāgaḥ', the word 'Ajaḥ' (345:) is used in the same sense as the Ātman; there the Agni (fire) is asked not to destroy the ‘unborn part' (Ajo bhāgaḥ-3757 HTT:) of the human body, but just to kindle it, so that after being purified it may be in a fit state to enter into the higher world. Sāyaṇa explains Ajah, as the unborn part of the body, as different from the senses of the body, and that which has the inner person's attributes.3 It definitely indicates the fine and indestructible portion of the body, which can survive the destruction of the physical body.
1 Rg Veda-I, 164.4, Sāyaṇa Bhāşya. 3 å: ( ena:) संबद्धचेतनः।
2 Deussen Paul : Outlines of Indian Philosophy, p. 20. 3 Rg Veda-Sāyaṇa Bhāşya : 377: 57792fca: attenfurt
utart: 37829645&TUT: 3: HTT: 37fF... Rg Veda-X, 1.16.4.
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