MATTER, HUMAN SOUL AND SUPREME SOUL BY S. SANKARAN
( Based on the comments by Swami Tapasyananda) In Bhagavad Gita, soul is portrayed on many verses as changeless and imperishable and permanent. It is emphasized that Soul is nothing to do with matter or Prakriti and hence Soul is pure. But we are informed in a verse that matter or Prakriti is of two kinds – Lower and Higher Elements and Soul is equated as Higher Element whereby Soul becomes very much connected with matter. To make the subject matter of Soul still difficult, another verse indicates that Souls are divided into two categories – Perishable and Imperishable. It becomes still more difficult, as imperishable is also divided into Human Soul (Jivatma) and Supreme Soul (Purushothama). Let me quote the relevant passages before going into the details and their explanations: Chapter 7: Stanzas 4 to 6: Prakriti – Matter is divided into two parts – Lower and Higher. Lower one consists of eight elements viz. earth, water, fire, air, ether, ego, intellect and mind. Higher is only...