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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
The Upanişads
the two. It is said "There is indeed another, different soul, called the elemental soul (bhūtatman) he, who, being overcome by the bright or the dark fruits of action, a good or an evil womb, so that his course is downward, overcome by the pairs of opposites. The five subtle substances (tan-matra) are spoken of the word 'element' (bhūta). Likewise, the five gross elements (mahā bhūta) are spoken by the 'world element'. Now the combination of these is said to be body "sarīra" and that who is said to be in the body is said to be the 'elemental soul'. Now its immortal Self (Ātman) is like 'the dropof water on the lotus leaf'. This elemental soul is overcome by Nature's (prakrti) qualities (guna). Now because of being overcome, he goes on to confusedness; because of confusedness, he sees not the blessed Lord, the cause of action, who stands within oneself ( STICHFY ). Borne along and defiled by the stream of qualities (guņa ), unsteady, wavering, full of desire, distracted, this one goes on to the state of Self conceit (abhimānatva). In thinking 'This is l' and that is mine he binds himself with his Self, as does a bird with a snare, consequently being overcome by the fruits of his action, he enters a good or an evil womb. so that his course is downward or upward and he wanders around, overcome by the pairs of opposites."! This is the full description of the nature of the individual soul, the state or the arch. The philosopher of the Maitrāyaṇi Upanisad further distinguishes this Self from the Universal and Higher Self in
1 Maitrāyaṇi Up. 3.2. Tr. Hume, R.E., p. 418.
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