Jiva
In Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva (Sanskrit: जीव, jīva alternate spelling, jiwa) is a living being,[1] or more specifically, the immortal essence of a living organism (human, animal, fish or plant etc.) which survives physical death.[2][3] It has a very similar usage to atma, but whereas atma refers to "the cosmic self", jiva is used to denote an individual 'living entity' or 'living being' specifically.[4] The terms Paramatma and jivatma are used to avoid confusion.
The word itself originates from the Sanskrit Jivás, with the root jīv- 'to breathe'. It has the same Indo-European root as the Latin word Vivus: "alive".
Contents |
[edit] Definition
In the Bhagavad Gita, the jiva is described as immutable, eternal, numberless and indestructible.[5][6][7][8] It is said not to be a product of the material world (Prakrti), but of a higher 'spiritual' nature.[9] At the point of physical death the jiva takes a new physical body depending on the karma and the individual desires and necessities of the particular jiva in question.
[edit] Goals
Some Jain and Hindu scriptures describe the ultimate goal of the jiva as being one or more of the following (depending on the particular philosophical tradition):
- 'liberation' from material existence (moksha)
- obtaining pure love of God (bhakti)
- becoming liberated from the happiness and distress of the world, while still being existent within it (jivanmukta).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Bhagavad Gita 7.5 "Besides these, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities [jiva] who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature."
- ^ Brahma Samhita 5.21 "The same jiva is eternal and is for eternity and without a beginning"
- ^ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapter 1-6. Penguin Books, 1969, p 98 (v 18)
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=kO8-980xGk8C&pg=PA32&dq=hiranyagarba&ei=gCnrSaGyLZLQMu3AmaQB The Philosophy of Person: Solidarity and Cultural Creativity, Jozef Tichner and George McClean, 1994, p. 32
- ^ Katha Upanisad 1.2.18, 2.2.13
- ^ Bhagavad gita 2.12, 2.16-21, 2.23-25, 2.30
- ^ Bhagavata Purana 7.7.43, 11.31.13
- ^ Vedanta sutra 2.3, 4.4
- ^ Bhagavad Gita 7.5
[edit] External links
- 'Jiva' - usage in Bhagavata Purana
- Terms 'jiva' and 'soul' in Western and Eastern philosophy and religion, en & cz language
 |
This spirituality-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Please Refer The Book 'Shri Abaji Bapashri ni Vato" Part:01 and Part:02
