Eternal Soul
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| सच्चिदानन्दं परब्रह्म आद्याशक्तिं परेश्वरीम्। अनन्तं च माधवं च नमामि पादपङ्कजे॥ |
Eternal Soul
The body fades, like dusk at dawn,
Yet the soul, a spark, moves on and on.
Though flesh and bone must meet the earth,
The soul is bound for endless birth.
When bodies rest and breaths are gone,
The spirit’s song goes ever on.
A mystery deep, unseen by eyes,
The soul ascends, it never dies.
So let not grief consume your days,
For those who part find other ways.
They live in light beyond our sight,
In realms of peace, in boundless light.
Mourn not, dear friends, for life goes on,
A cycle vast, a timeless song.
What is the Soul (Ātman)? What is the Supreme Soul (Paramātman)?
The Soul (Ātman):
The soul is generally referred to as an invisible entity that resides independently within the human body. According to the Bhagavad Gita (2.20):
Sanskrit Verse:
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि- न्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः ।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो- न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥
Transliteration:
Na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin-
Nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ।
Ajo nityaḥ śāśvato'yaṁ purāṇo-
Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre।।
Meaning in English:
“This soul is neither born nor does it ever die, nor having once existed, does it cease to be. This soul is birthless, eternal, imperishable, and timeless. Even when the body is destroyed, the soul is not destroyed.”
The Supreme Soul (Paramātman):
The term Paramātman means "the Soul of all souls" or "the Supreme Soul." It refers to the Supreme Being, the Creator of all existence. In Hindu philosophy, Paramātman is considered the ultimate, all-pervading consciousness that exists beyond individual souls.
What is Moksha (Liberation)?
According to Sanātana Dharma (Hinduism), the body is like a shell, while the soul within is eternal and unchanging. This soul takes on different bodies in the cycle of birth and death. Moksha refers to the liberation from this cycle, where the soul attains ultimate freedom and merges with Paramātman (the Supreme Soul).
Nature of the Soul & Some Key Facts:
1.The Soul is One, Indestructible, and Eternal:
2.It is formless, self-luminous, pure, ever-existent, untainted, and beyond all physical coverings.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Seventh Canto, Seventh Chapter)
3.The Soul Changes Bodies Like Changing Clothes:
Just as a person changes worn-out clothes, the soul discards an old body and takes on a new one.
4.The soul gains knowledge through the mind and senses.
6.The Body is Given by Nature (Prakriti), but the Soul Comes from God:
Parents provide the physical body, but the Supreme Lord provides the soul.
7.The Soul Enters the Mother's Womb Through the Father's Seed:
According to the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and Upanishads, the soul enters the embryo through the father’s sperm.
This belief is why traditional Hinduism permits children to inherit their father's Gotra (lineage) and surname. Another View Suggests the Soul Enters the Body After Some Time in the Womb: The Supreme Lord (Bhagavān) is self-born and beyond material birth.
8. At Death, the Soul Leaves the Body, Carrying Its Karma:
9.The soul departs in search of a new body to fulfill its unfinished desires and to reap the results of past actions (karma).
10. The Soul is Beyond Material Destruction:
According to the Bhagavad Gita, the soul cannot be cut by weapons, burned by fire, drowned by water, or dried by air.
Just as a person discards old clothes and wears new ones, the soul leaves an old body and enters a new one.
Some Questions and Answers About the Soul
1. What is Pitṛloka (Soul World)?
The realm where souls reside is called Pitṛloka (Soul World).
2. Where is Pitṛloka (Soul World) located?
It is located above Chandra Loka (the lunar realm). Additionally, highly enlightened souls reside in Jana Loka, Tapa Loka, Mahar Loka, Svarga Loka, and Brahma Loka. The most exalted souls reside in Vaikuntha Loka (the abode of Lord Vishnu).
3. Who is the deity of the ancestors (Pitṛs)?
In Pitṛloka, the deity of the souls is Aryamā, and their judge is Yamaraja (the god of justice). According to the Puranas, Aryamā’s abode is in the Uttara-Phalguni Nakshatra (a specific constellation). In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states that among the Pitṛs, He is Aryamā.
4. What is the food of the ancestors (Pitṛs)?
The Pitṛs (souls) consume fragrance (gandha) and essence (rasa). When offerings are made to them, they absorb the scent and essence of the food.
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| The soul often experiences surprise after death, realizing that its body has become extremely light and that it can move freely, almost as if flying like a bird in the air. |
5. What are Jīva Ātma, Preta Ātma, and Sūkṣma Śarīra?
Jīva Ātma (Living Soul): The soul that resides in the physical body of a living being is called Jīva Ātma. It is bound by karma and experiences birth, life, and death.
Preta Ātma (Spirit Soul): After death, if the soul is still attached to material desires (kāma and vāsanā), it exists in a Preta Śarīra (spiritual body) and is known as Preta Ātma (wandering spirit or ghost).
Sūkṣma Śarīra (Subtle Body): When the soul leaves the physical body, it carries a subtle body (sūkṣma śarīra) composed of the mind (manas), intellect (buddhi), and impressions (saṁskāra). This sūkṣma śarīra determines the soul’s next journey based on its karma.
What is Death?
In reality, death does not truly exist; no soul actually "dies." However, death is perceived as the conclusion of a particular life. After death, the soul attains a new body and begins a new life.
2.What Happens After Death?
When the soul separates from the physical (sthūla) body, it immediately enters a sūkṣma śarīra (subtle body), which is invisible to the physical eye but identical in form to the previous body. Even the deceased soul can sense the presence of this subtle body.
3.What Happens to the Soul After Death?
. The Soul’s Initial Reactions After Death
The deceased soul often does not immediately realize that it has died.
It tries to move its limbs, attempting to function as before, but soon notices that it cannot interact with the physical world.
The soul may believe it is dreaming and repeatedly attempts to re-enter its lifeless body, but all efforts fail.
. The Soul’s Attachment to the Body
Until the cremation or final rites are performed, the soul frequently lingers around its physical body.
When the body is burned or buried, the soul experiences distress and gradually shifts its focus elsewhere.
After death, the soul tends to stay around its home or near familiar surroundings until the Śrāddha (ancestral rites) are completed. Only then does it begin its next journey, carrying the weight of its past karma.
. Souls Bound by Worldly Attachments
Those who had strong attachments (mohā) and desires (āsakti) struggle to leave the earthly realm.
Their souls remain tied to familiar places and people, often reluctant to transition to the next phase of existence.
. Souls Devoted to God
Those who were deeply devoted to God (Bhakti Yoga) during their lifetime, with unwavering love and surrender, attain Param Dhāma (the Supreme Abode) immediately upon death.
They are freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth (Saṁsāra) and unite with the divine.
The Journey of the Soul After Death
1. The Three Paths of the Departed Soul (According to the Purāṇas)
After death, a soul embarks on its final journey through one of three possible paths, determined by its karma (actions in life). These three paths are:
Archi Mārg (Path of Light) – Leads to Brahma Loka (the realm of Lord Brahmā) and Deva Loka (the divine realm of the gods).
Dhūma Mārg (Path of Smoke) – Leads to Pitṛ Loka (the realm of ancestors), where the soul resides before being reborn.
Utpatti-Vināśa Mārg (Path of Birth and Destruction) – Leads to Naraka (hell), where the soul suffers the consequences of its sins.
However, regardless of the path taken, all souls eventually return to the cycle of birth and death (Saṁsāra) after spending time in Svarga (heaven), Pitṛ Loka, or Naraka.
According to the Yajurveda, souls who are highly detached, possess immense virtue, and perform great penance (tapasya) transcend these cycles and merge with Para Brahma (the Supreme Consciousness).
2. Who Goes Where?
Righteous Souls (Puṇyavān): Those who perform good deeds ascend to Svarga Loka and enjoy celestial pleasures.
Sinful Souls (Pāpī): Those who commit sins suffer in Naraka before being reborn according to their karma.
3. The Fate of the Most Sinful Souls (Mahāpāpī)
Souls that engage in extreme evil and paiśācika (demonic) activities wander in ghostly realms (Bhūta Yoni) for an extended time before eventually taking birth again.
These souls do not necessarily return as humans; their rebirth depends on their past karma, thoughts, tendencies, and attachments.
Rebirth can occur in various life forms, ranging from animals to insects or other non-human entities, based on their past deeds.
What to Do for the Peace of a Deceased Person's Soul
The process of performing post-death rites and rituals to bring peace to the departed soul is described in the Garuda Purana and elaborated upon in the Shrimad Bhagavatam. Garuda Purana is one of the 18 Mahapuranas in Hinduism.
According to the Garuda Purana, after death, the soul of the deceased stays in or around their home for 10 to 13 days. As per Hindu customs and traditions, to help the soul attain peace, certain rituals must be performed, including observing Ashoucha (mourning period) and conducting Paraloka (afterlife) rites. Additionally, for 10 to 12 days, Garuda Purana or Shrimad Bhagavatam should be read in the deceased person’s home.
Before beginning the recitation of Garuda Purana, the deceased should be praised, and their soul should be invited to listen to the readings. Hearing these sacred texts helps the soul detach from worldly attachments and understand their onward journey.
Offering Pind Daan
After the recitation, Pind Daan (offering of food) is performed in the name of the deceased. This ritual provides nourishment to the soul in its journey ahead. Along with this, the family should renounce any selfish attachment to the departed and release the soul from all bonds. If the soul had any unfulfilled noble desires, aspirations, or dreams, prayers should be made to the Supreme God for their fulfillment. If there are no such desires, prayers should be offered for the soul to attain Vaikuntha Loka (the divine abode of Lord Vishnu).
Pitru Paksha (Fortnight of Ancestors)
According to Sanatan Hindu scriptures, during Pitru Paksha, the souls of ancestors visit their homes. During this time, they must be offered food and water. The food for Pitru (ancestors) consists of fragrance and essence. The aroma and essence of the food offered are received by the ancestors.
Offering Food and Water to Ancestors
The food offerings for ancestors generally include rice, lentils, milk, kheer (sweet rice pudding), sweet curd, pumpkin curry, and any vegetarian dish that was favored by the deceased. These offerings are usually placed on a banana leaf or dried leaf and positioned facing the south. This ceremony can be performed at home or in any sacred place.
If one does not know the required mantras, they can invite the ancestors in their own language (such as Bengali or Hindi) and request them to accept the offerings with devotion.
Procedure for Offering Food
Clean the Place: The area where the food will be offered should be cleaned thoroughly.
Personal Cleanliness: Before performing the ritual, one should take a bath and wear clean clothes (dhoti is recommended).
Invocation: Call upon the departed soul and first offer the food to Lord Vishnu.
Offering to the Ancestors: Then, offer the food to the deceased’s soul and pour water three times as a mark of respect.
Final Offering: The food should finally be offered to a cow, a dog, or a crow.
Reincarnation (Punarjanma)
At the time of death, the soul carries its accumulated karma (actions) with it and searches for a new body to fulfill its unfinished desires. Based on the nature of its karma, the soul attains a new body and experiences the consequences of its past deeds. This cycle is known as reincarnation (punarjanma).
From the ancient scriptures such as the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Upanishads, Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Shastras, the concept of reincarnation is well-documented. According to this doctrine, death does not mark the end of life; instead, the soul continues its journey through 8.4 million species across different realms of existence, experiencing the results of its previous actions.
Bhagavad Gita (14.14-15) on Reincarnation:
yadā sattve pravṛddhe tu pralayaṁ yāti deha-bhṛt,
tadottama-vidāṁ lokān amalān pratipadyate.
When one dies while in the mode of Sattva (goodness), they attain the pure realms of the wise and knowledgeable beings.
rajasi pralayaṁ gatvā karma-saṅgiṣu jāyate,
tathā pralīnastamasi mūḍha-yoniṣu jāyate.
Those who die in the mode of Rajas (passion) are reborn among people attached to work and desires.
Those who die in the mode of Tamas (ignorance) take birth in the lower species such as animals, birds, or insects.
This highlights that the next birth of an individual is determined by their dominant guna (qualities) at the time of death, which is a result of their lifelong karma.
How Does the Soul Select Its Parents, Family, Village, or Country in Rebirth?
A soul takes birth in a particular family, place, and situation based on its unfulfilled desires, aspirations, and past karma. The selection process is determined by God’s will, aligning the soul with the environment best suited to complete its unfinished tasks from previous lives.
The Connection Between the Soul and Conception
In the process of rebirth, the mother and father provide the body, while God grants the soul. Since rebirth occurs according to divine will, parents seeking virtuous offspring should:
Pray to God at the time of conception.
Call upon pure and righteous souls to take birth in their family.
Promise to nurture and support the child’s unfulfilled aspirations.
For righteous and virtuous children, parents must be hardworking, dedicated, patient, truthful, just, and religious. Their thoughts and actions influence the type of soul that takes birth in their family.
When Does a Soul Attain a Divine (Deva) or Ancestral (Pitru) Birth?
According to the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the realms above human birth include:
Pramatha (Shiva’s celestial attendants)
Gandharva (Heavenly musicians)
Siddha (Perfected beings)
Deva-Anuchara (Servants of gods)
Asura (Demonic beings)
Deva (Divine beings or gods)
A soul that has completed 400,000 human births and performed pious deeds may attain birth in the divine realms. However, if a soul engages in sinful acts, it falls into lower life forms, known in the Vedas and Purāṇas as Adho-patana (falling downward) and Durgati (misfortune).
The Soul and the Misconceptions About Ghosts and Spirits
Many people confuse subtle souls with ghosts or spirits, leading to unnecessary fear and ignorance.
A living soul within a body is called Jīvātma (individual soul).
After death, the soul enters a subtle body, which is pure, peaceful, and sorrowful, but not evil.
On the other hand, some souls enter the ghost (Preta) realm, one of the 8.4 million life forms described in scriptures. A soul does not immediately become a ghost after death—it requires time and specific karmic conditions.
Reasons Why a Soul Becomes a Ghost or Wandering Spirit
A soul may enter the ghostly realm due to:
Extreme sins in past lives
Excessive material attachments
Unfulfilled desires and revenge
Intense greed, lust, or anger
Weak ancestral support (Pitru Shakti)
Improper performance of funeral rites (Śrāddha, Pind Daan, etc.)
Only great sinners or those who engage in demonic acts are banished into the ghostly realm for long periods. Such souls are cast into ghostly existence by Yama’s messengers (Yamadutas) to suffer for their sins.
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The Path Beyond
An awakened soul walks calm, serene,
Through life’s bright glow and shadows seen.
Unmoved by death’s dim, ghostly guise—
For fear finds no home in their eyes.
They know this form of earth and dust
Returns at last to time’s deep trust,
Yet something brighter, ever whole,
Endures—the boundless, ageless soul.
A door swings open, not a wall—
A gentle whisper, not a call.
The end is but a threshold crossed,
Where nothing cherished will be lost.
For every ending births anew,
A life unknown, yet always true.
The veil lifts softly from the eyes,
Revealing stars in endless skies.
So hold no sorrow, shed no tear—
For what seems lost will reappear.
The journey winds but never ends—
Each step, a path that still ascends.
