24. Soul Replaces Old Bodies

 

Krishna says that atma neither dies nor is killed and the ignorant perceive otherwise. It is unborn, eternal, changeless and ancient. It goes through the stages of childhood, youth and old age in this body so does it pass into another body (2.13). He further says that atma changes physical bodies like we discard worn out garments to wear new ones (2.19, 2.20).

In a scientific context this is well explained by the law of conservation of energy and the principle of inter-convertibility of mass and energy. For easy understanding if atma is equated with energy, Lord Krishna’s words become crystal clear. The law of conservation of energy says that energy can never be destroyed but can only be converted from one form to another. For example, thermal power stations convert thermal energy into electricity. A bulb converts electricity into light. So, it is just conversion and there is no destruction. A bulb has a limited lifespan. When it gets fused, it is replaced by a new bulb, but electricity remains. This is like the way in which we discard worn out clothes for new ones.

From a ‘manifested’ point of view death is an inference for us as we see all the manifested things perish. Our understanding is that all of us will die one day which we infer when we see others die. There is no way for us to know about our own physical death or to experience it. Our lives revolve around death and the fears associated with it.

From the unmanifested ‘atma’ point of view everything else is possible, but death isn’t a possibility, it is just an illusion. When clothes are worn out, they can no longer protect us from the elements, and we replace them with new ones. Similarly, when our physical body is unable to perform its duties, it is replaced.