213. Paramatma and Atma


 

Krishna explains about 'The Creation' at different places and indicates that the entire existence is the coherence of prakriti (nature) and purush (spirit). HIS womb is the mahat-brahma (great prakriti) into which HE places the seed (purush) which is the cause of the birth of all beings (14.3). Gunas (qualities) and vikar (evolution or change) are born of prakriti (13.20) and prakriti is also responsible for cause and effect; Purush is responsible for experiencing the polarities of sukh (pleasure) and dukh (pain) (13.21).

Krishna further elaborates and says, "There are two kinds of beings (purushas) in creation, the kshar (perishable) and the akshar (imperishable). The perishable are all beings in the material realm. The imperishable is called kootastha (soul) (15.16). But there exists another eternal Highest Being called Paramatma (Supreme Soul). Permeating the three worlds, HE sustains them (15.17). Essentially, it is eternal Paramatma, imperishable atma and the perishable material world (prakriti).

Current scientific understanding is that it was pure energy at the beginning and some of the energy got converted into matter in due course of time. This matter is perishable and obeys certain physical laws which Krishna mentioned as cause and effect. This matter forms physical bodies of life forms and these life forms need energy to sustain. In a nutshell, everything we see around us is the interplay of energy and matter.

This current understanding is in tune with the above verses where Krishna said that he places seed (which is referred to as imperishable purush here) in HIS womb (which is referred to as perishable purush or prakriti here) and life starts.

Krishna adds another dimension when he says that he is beyond both prakriti and purush yet supports them both. This clarity will enable us to realise atma as well as Paramatma.

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