An important teaching of Jyothi Ramalinga Swamigal
Think of a bullock-cart. The bullock is a conscious animal. The cart is an inert object. The two are yoked by the ‘driver’ (resident of the cart) for reasons known only to himself. How does he ‘yoke’ them? By passing the bridle-rope through the bullock’s nose, and holding it himself, and also passing a rope through its neck and linking it with the frontal portion of the cart. And then it is the driver who is making the cart go; the bullock doesn’t know when the journey will end.
This is exactly the situation of the Jiva. It is ‘yoked’ to this body by the Universal Director (Driver) who decides when to start the journey of the Jiva in this body; and at that precise moment he ‘passes the bridle-rope through the nose’ by providing life-giving breath to this Jiva-body bondage and makes them go. He, and no one else, knows when the journey will end! The cart is jada. The bullock is the chit. This is the chit jada granthi.
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The concept ‘jiva is ‘yoked’ to this body by the Universal
Director (Driver) who decides when to start the journey of the Jiva in this
body’ is deeply rooted in various philosophical and religious traditions,
particularly in Hinduism and certain schools of thought within Buddhism and
Jainism. Let's expand on this idea:
Jiva: In Hindu philosophy, Jiva refers to the individual soul or consciousness, often described as the eternal essence that reincarnates
from one body to another through the cycle of birth and death (samsara). It
carries the accumulated karma from past lives and undergoes various experiences
in different incarnations until it achieves liberation (moksha) from this
cycle.
Yoked to the Body: The term "yoked" implies a
connection or union. According to the philosophical worldview, the Jiva becomes
associated or connected with a physical body upon birth. This connection is not
random but is governed by cosmic laws and the will of the Divine.
Universal Director or Driver: In Hinduism, this role is
often attributed to Ishvara, the supreme cosmic power or divine controller who
oversees the workings of the universe, including the cycle of birth, death, and
rebirth. Ishvara is believed to be responsible for the creation, maintenance,
and dissolution of the cosmos, as well as for the administration of karma.
Start of the Journey: The beginning of the Jiva's journey in
a particular body is believed to be determined by cosmic timing and the
intricate interplay of various factors, including karma, divine will, and the
soul's evolutionary journey. The circumstances and conditions of each
individual's life are thought to be shaped by past actions and spiritual
progress.
Purpose and Lessons: Within this framework, each incarnation
serves a purpose in the soul's evolution. It provides opportunities for
learning, growth, and the resolution of karmic debts. The experiences
encountered in a given lifetime are believed to be tailored to the individual
soul's needs for spiritual advancement.
Freedom and Destiny: While there's acknowledgment of a
cosmic plan and divine orchestration, there's also the concept of free will
within certain philosophical interpretations. Although the Jiva is yoked to the
body and subject to the universal laws of karma, it's believed to have the
capacity to make choices and influence its destiny through actions and
intentions.
Spiritual Practices and Liberation: The ultimate goal within
this framework is for the Jiva to attain liberation (moksha) from the cycle of
birth and death. This liberation involves transcending the limitations of
individual identity and realizing one's inherent unity with the divine or the
ultimate reality (Brahman).
In summary, the concept of the Jiva being yoked to the body
by a Universal Director who initiates its journey encapsulates profound
philosophical ideas about the nature of existence, divine governance, karma,
and the soul's quest for ultimate liberation.