Jiva: is the Sat-Cit-Anada-principle qualified (seemingly possess the qualities of the conditioning) as the microcosmic conditioning; by the individual gross, subtle and causal bodies and thus Sat-Cit-Anada-principle seemingly appears to possess the limitations.
Atman: is the substratum of Jiva. Atman, also 'Self' is unaffected by the conditioning. Atman can also be described as Sat-Cit-Anada principle from the perspective of Jiva.
Isvara: is the Sat-Cit-Anada-principle qualified as unlimited macrocosmic conditioning by the cosmic gross, subtle and causal bodies.
Brahman: is the substratum of the macrocosmic conditioning of Isvara. Brahman can also be described as Sat-Cit-Anada principle from the perspective of Isvara.
The differences between Jiva and Isvara
• Jiva has limited knowledge vs. Isvara has boundless knowledge
• Jiva is limited by time & space vs. Isvara is all-pervading & eternal
• Jiva strives for Liberation vs. Isvara free of bondage and therefore no need to strive for Liberation
• Isvara is the entire controller of cosmos and Jiva
• Isvara presents and controls maya vs. Jiva is deluded by maya and is ignorant of its own nature
• Isvara dispenses fruits of Jiva's actions and Isvara is detached from his actions because of self-knowledge, which is his nature. Vs. Jiva, being ignorant of Self-knowledge is conditioned by the gross, subtle and causal bodies and assumed he is the doer and also the sense of enjoyer ship, causing bondage.
• Alpa-sakthiman of limited power vs. Sarva shaktiman -all powerful
• Jiva is Lorded over vs. Isvara is Lord
• Jiva is deluded by maya vs. Isvara is the wielder of Maya and remains unaffected
• Jiva experience both bondage & liberation vs. Isvara is devoid of bondage & liberation
Is the difference between Jiva and Isvara illusory?
The Jiva and Isvara are one and the same. They appear to be different due to the microcosmic conditioning of the Sat-cit-ananda by the individual gross, subtle and causal bodies which is Jiva and the macrocosmic conditioning of the Sat-cit-ananda by the cosmic gross, subtle and causal bodies.
Vedas present a variety of examples to emphasize the importance of the concept of ONE appearing as many. First is the wave in the ocean. Even though each wave appears to be different, they cannot exist without the water in the ocean. The cause 'water' alone is nithya- Real and the form of water is mithya -unreal.
Another example is of gold as the basis for different types of jewelry like bangles, bracelets, chain, anklets etc. None of these would exist without the base metal, gold.
Electricity is another example often used, though not perceivable powers all equipment. Without that power, which is the cause, none of the electrical equipment would function, may it be a fan, light bulb, oven, toaster or a refrigerator.
Another popular one is the clay and pots. The pot, mug, plate, jug which are all different when the form is seen but they're all the same when we see the basic item with which they all are made of, which is clay. Similarly, all forms and names in this universe appear different (whether it is an ant, elephant, a human or a plant!) but the substratum is the same which the Isvara (Existence, Consciousness, bliss).
Clay is the cause for all those items; so also Existence is alone is the cause of all forms in this universe. Existence alone IS. Everything else is the manifestation from that source.
Clay and water, the cause can have independent existence; exist by themselves. The effects are merely the forms and names, categorized as amithya, unreal and illusory.
So also, the entire cosmos, which appears in various forms & shapes, due to micro and macrocosmic conditioning is but illusory and is the manifestation of the ONE supreme existence, which is Sat-Cit-Ananda principle. When we falsify these conditioning, one will understand that there is no distinct difference between Jiva and Isvara, what remains is the Sat-Cit-Ananda principle (Existence) alone.
Therefore it is the One that appears as many is nothing but maya, illusion.
Awesome Power is an organization committed to encourage, motivate, inspire, coach and support individuals to believe in themselves and reach their fullest potentially in all areas of their life.
The author of this article is a Life Coach, Changing Agent, Motivational Speaker, Professional Writer, dedicated to make a difference in other's lives.
The author is also deeply interested in spiritual studies and believes our life is the consequences of our own actions and that the spiritual study is the way for inner peace. We are on this earth to realize that all is ONE and that ONE is in all.
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