In the fourth chapter of Bhagavad Gita
Arjuna’s confusion is resolved by Lord Krishna. Krishna teaches Arjuna an
important topic of Hinduism. The cause of Janma
and Avatara is explained here. In
the case of jeeva, it is karma. In the case of eswara, it is Avatara said to be
the prarthanas of bhaktas at a time when things go beyond control.
When Jeeva
is born, he is taking a Janma while Bagawan
takes Avatara or incarnation. According to Hinduism, both Jeeva and eswara are
beginning less (Anadhi). Eswara is
existing beginning less in his body called Maya. Maya body is called Anadhi.
Every Jeeva is also beginning less with his own body called Karana sariram from
anadhikala.
This anadhi eswara with his body called Maya is only one. Eswara is Ekaga.
Symbols of bagawan are many but symbolized eswara is one ekaga. Jeevas are
countless. Every jeeva has a potential freewill, which can be exercised to do
good or bad actions. Every jeeva has accumulated countless punyam and papam
stored in his unique invisible body called karana
sariram.
Eswara does the creation. When he creates the
world, he does not create the Jeevas. Actually, he cannot and he does not
create the Jeevas. According to karana sarira, Eswara creates the physical
bodies Shukshma and Stula Sariram of jeeva based on punyam and papam (based on
karana sariram of Jeevas). Body will survive for sometime according to the law
of karma. Like this, it takes countless bodies. According to the law of karma,
body has a date of birth. Jeeva does not have a date of birth. At the time of
death my physical body alone disintegrates. Taking a body is called Janma.
Jeeva can express the freewill only in a human body. Jeeva requires a conducive
body to express the freewill. A child cannot express the freewill. This is
explanation of jeeva janma. Eswara has Maya has is body. Eswara creates this
world. He is the creator, Maintainer and resolver of this whole creation. Human
society is healthy only when there is Dharma. By Dharmic way of life, harmony
is maintained. Sometimes humanity forgets Dharma and Adharma becomes
predominant. At this juncture Bagawan has to bring in his defensive mechanism. That is eswara avatara, a cosmic defense
mechanism for the benefit of humanity. The type of avatar will depend upon the
type of problem (Narasimha Avatara for killing Hiranyakasupu, Prahaladha’s
father). Humanity prarthanai (Prayers) becomes the cause of Avatara. The
difference between jeeva and eswara is in case of jeeva the cause of birth is
due to punyam and papam whereas for eswara (he is beyond punyam and papam) the
prayers offered by helpless bhaktas are the cause of his Avatar.
Another difference between jeeva and eswara
is the material in which the body is
created. The raw materials are different in Avatara sariram and Janma sariram. Eswara
can create a body instantly by means of Maya. In the case of jeeva body out of
Maya Viz. Pancha Boothas are created. Jeeva sariram is called bhowdika sariram made up of pancha
boothas. Jeevas body is made of pancha boothas. The body has to live in the
womb of mother for 10 months and come out. So much process is involved. With
the help of Prakruti or Maya, eswara can take any body like Narasimha Avatara.
It is the direct product of Maya. Eswara takes Avatara instantaneously
depending on the situation. It is like camphor, which undergoes sublimation
when it is burnt.
In the case of jiva, the body is taken for a
particular purpose. The purpose for
Avatara is different. Two fold purpose in the case of Jiva. First purpose is to
exhaust our punyam and papam. Prarabda
karma will decide what type of body we should have. This is the purpose of
jiva janma. Eswara does not have karma. Avataras are already liberated and they
will not seek Moksha. Animal activities are instinctive based not will based or
motive based. We can pursue our goal in life, which is Moksha the highest goal.
Eswara helps in the destruction of corrupt
thoughts in the people. Eswara Avatara
is taken for the protection of the good, for the transformation of corrupt
people, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of
righteousness. By knowing eswara a person can attain liberation. God
realization will lead to liberation. Both Self-realization and God realization
will lead to Moksha or Liberation. They are the same. Self-realization = God
realization. i.e. Self = God. Self is called Jevatma. God is
called Paramatma. This is the main teaching of the Gita.
Understanding the relationship between the
wave and the ocean will help us to know the relationship between jevatma and
Paramathma. Wave is sustained by the ocean and finally wave is resolved into
the ocean. Wave is temporary product and it is called Karyam in Sanskrit. Ocean
alone is the producer and in Sanskrit is called Karanam. We discover the
relationship as above between wave and ocean. Thus the relationship between
wave and ocean is one and only water. In Vedanta, it is called Ikyam. They are not two things but both
are only one. Similarly, when we study Jevatma and Paramathma superficially we
see jevatma is like a wave and Paramatma is huge like an ocean. Jevatmas are
many and Paramatma is one. It is the
cause effect relationship called the creature and the creator. On deeper enquiry,
we find that these are two names given to the one and the same substance called
“Atma”. Both are Atma only, like water is one. It is Ekathma. Discovery of Ekathma is Moksha.
Ekathma alone is the only source of three
fundamental things which every human being is knowingly or unknowingly seeking,
struggling throughout his life. They are Peace, Happiness and Security. You
have to be calm in the eye of a storm. This is called Jeevan mukthi. Realisation is nothing but knowledge and knowledge
is nothing but the preparation mind. Mind is the field in which knowledge has
to take place.
Be blissful
S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
