Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings, my brother.
Devotee:
Friends, on the "Guptasadhak Syamakhepa" YouTube channel, you have been listening to Gurudev's insights on various subjects. Today, Gurudev is discussing the awareness we need on new topics. We often use the word "Atma" (Soul). In our spiritual practices, this word is very significant. Its meaning and importance should be understood by all of us. So, today, my question to Gurudev is regarding the "Atma."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, the soul exists within the human body. This body contains the soul. We need to find where it resides, but it is there. Both the Atma (Soul) and Paramatma (Supreme Soul) are present. It is essential for us to know where they are.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
If we look at the body from the bottom up, we find different layers. First is the Sthula Sharira (Gross Body). This physical body doesn't do much on its own; it needs food. Its primary function is consumption. The soul doesn't eat; the body does. Whatever we consume is taken by the gross body, not the soul. Gravity doesn't affect the soul in the same way; it remains free.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Below that, there is another body, the Sukshma Sharira (Subtle Body). High-level practitioners or yogis can travel to different places using this subtle body. It consists of fourteen parts: Chitta (Consciousness), Buddhi (Intellect), Ahankara (Ego), and Manas (Mind). Additionally, there are the five Pranas (Life breaths): Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, and Vyana. Then there are the five Tanmatras (Elements/Senses).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Beyond the subtle body is the Karana Sharira (Causal Body), which is the innermost body.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, let's look at it from the top down. First, there is the Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath), which provides us with joy. If these "Koshas" (sheaths) aren't active, a person feels half-dead.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Anandamaya Kosha: Humans always seek bliss. This sheath provides that joy constantly.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranamaya Kosha: This is the sheath of life energy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Manomaya Kosha: This includes the mind, intellect, and ego. It keeps the mind active.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Vijnanamaya Kosha: This is the sheath of intellect or science. Whenever I speak, I include science. People always want to know if something is scientifically valid. If science doesn't accept it, people won't. In spirituality, not everything can be seen, but the Vijnanamaya Kosha keeps us aware and questioning. Where there is no science, there is no true spirituality.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Annamaya Kosha: This is the food sheath. If the body doesn't get food, this sheath dies because the physical body depends on nourishment.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Our task is to keep these five sheaths and three bodies active. We often say we have "captured" something within us; this is related to these sheaths.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Let's talk about the Pranamaya Kosha again. To sustain life, we need the Annamaya Kosha (food). Without food, life cannot be sustained.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The mind, intellect, and ego are all synonymous in this context. The Manomaya Kosha stores our experiences, our joys, and our sorrows. If this sheath fails, the mind itself fails. The Vijnanamaya Kosha acts as a judge, verifying what we see and hear. It is often a skeptical or "doubting" sheath, always verifying facts. Finally, once you transcend these, you reach the Anandamaya Kosha. If this is active, you experience bliss; if it is dormant, you remain in a state of misery.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Atma is restless, like the smoke of incense. Whichever way the wind blows, the smoke follows. Similarly, your mind might be here now, but if you hear a piece of news, it instantly travels there. You might be praying, but a certain piece of information can pull your mind away because the mind seeks its "food" or interest.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The five life breaths (Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, Vyana) are actions of air. Because of this air, we are alive. The Atma moves through these winds; the air carries the soul to different places.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Deep within is the Paramatma. This is the innermost existence. Through Yoga, one must draw out the subtle body. While the gross body remains stationary, the subtle body can perform tasks and travel to various places. The causal body is the Supreme Soul within you, which looks exactly like you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is a famous story about Syamacharan Lahiri (Lahiri Mahasaya). One day, he was in his office, and his British superior was sitting there late into the night, looking very worried. Lahiri Baba asked, "Sir, why haven't you gone home yet?" The officer replied, "You wouldn't understand. My wife is very ill in a hospital in England. The teleprinter is down, and I haven't had any news for three or four days. I don't know if she is alive or dead."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Lahiri Baba said, "Sir, please go home. I will give you news by tomorrow morning." The officer thought he was joking or crazy. But Lahiri Baba sat in a yogic state and sent his subtle body to England. He traveled there, spoke to the doctors, saw his wife, and even stroked her head to comfort her. The doctors noted that she began to recover.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The next morning, Lahiri Baba told the officer, "Sir, your wife is better. She will be returning to Kolkata by ship on a specific date. Please be at the port to receive her." The officer was skeptical. However, when the teleprinter started working again, the reports confirmed exactly what Lahiri Baba had said.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When the ship arrived at the port, the officer went to meet his wife. As soon as she saw Lahiri Baba (who had accompanied the officer), she was shocked. She said, "This is the man! He came to my hospital bed in England, stroked my head, and talked to the doctors. That is when I started feeling better."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The officer was stunned. He later asked Lahiri Baba what he wanted as a reward. Lahiri Baba asked for a place to build a temple for Goddess Kali. That is how the famous Thanthania Kali Bari was established.
Devotee:
Gurudev, we will continue this discussion. We will return to the topic of the soul in the next episode. Friends, please subscribe to the "Guptasadhak Syamakhepa" YouTube channel. We will be back soon with Gurudev to continue this conversation.