View source for Category:Jiva Soul

'''Theme Analysis'''

The Vedic ontology distinguishes between the individual living entity, the jiva, and the Supreme Lord, the Supersoul. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while the jiva is qualitatively one with Krsna—being eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss—he is quantitatively minute (anu). In contrast, the Supersoul (Paramatma) is infinite (vibhu) and accompanies the jiva in the heart as the witness and sanctioner. The jiva is constitutionally "marginal energy," meaning he can be influenced by either the spiritual energy or the material energy. Perfection is attained when the jiva turns his attention from the material body to the instructions of the Supersoul.

* '''Qualitative Oneness, Quantitative Difference:''' The jiva is a spiritual spark, a part and parcel of Krsna. Just as a drop of ocean water has the same chemical composition as the vast ocean, the jiva shares the Lord's qualities but not His infinite magnitude.
* '''The Two Birds in the Tree:''' The Upanisads describe two birds sitting in the tree of the body. One bird (the jiva) is eating the fruits (karma) and suffering, while the other bird (the Supersoul) is simply witnessing and waiting for his friend to turn to Him.
* '''The Marginal Potency:''' The jiva is situated between the external material energy and the internal spiritual energy. Due to his minute nature, he is prone to be covered by maya if he chooses to lord it over matter, but he is liberated when he chooses to serve Krsna.
* '''The Perfection of Identity:''' Theoretical knowledge ("I am spirit") is not enough. The constitutional position of the jiva is to be the eternal servant of Krsna. True liberation occurs when the soul voluntarily surrenders to the Supersoul's direction, just as Arjuna surrendered to Krsna.

* Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: [[Vanipedia:Understanding the Jiva Soul and the Supersoul|Understanding the Jiva Soul and the Supersoul.]]
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[[Category:Jiva]]
[[Category:Souls]]
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