Jiva

MIND, MATTER AND GOD : JIVA, JADA AND ISVARA
M.M.NINAN
unchanging Brahman appears as the changing world because of a superimposition of
non-Self (objects) on Self (subject - Brahman). This is called Avidya.
In the same way Jiva (the individual soul) is a relative reality. Its individuality lasts only
so long as it is subject to unreal Upadhis or limiting conditions due to Avidya. The Jiva
identifies itself with the body, mind and the senses, when it is deluded by Avidya or
ignorance. Just as the bubble becomes one with the ocean when it bursts, so also the
Jiva or the empirical self becomes one with Brahman when it gets knowledge of
Brahman. When knowledge dawns in it through annihilation of Avidya, it is freed from its
individuality and finitude and realizes its essential Satchidananda nature. It merges itself
in the ocean of bliss. The river of life joins the ocean of existence. This is the Truth.
Because samsara (or duality) exists due to ignorance or Avidya, Knowledge (Jnana)
alone can make an individual realize his true nature. “I am a God who is ignorant” says
each man. Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga etc., are necessary only to purify the
individual and to help remove this Avidya. All other paths culminate in Jnana.
"If all things reduce to mental constructs, what is the nature of the consciousness which
gives rise to them?" We are then forced into defining not a monistic Saguna Brahman
but with more than one person within the ultimate Saguna Brahman to give the Guna.
135