Understanding the Jiva Soul and the Supersoul
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Vedic literatures, there is a distinct difference between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Soul (Paramātmā). The Māyāvādī philosophers often confuse the two, claiming they are identical, but Kṛṣṇa clearly distinguishes them in the Bhagavad-gītā. The jīva is the minute, atomic spark of life struggling within the material body, while the Supersoul is the infinite, all-pervading witness who directs the wanderings of the living entity. Understanding this relationship is the key to freedom from material entanglement.
Distinct yet Inseparable
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the jīva is a particle of the Supreme, qualitatively the same but quantitatively different. Just as a photon is a particle of the sun but is not the sun globe itself, the jīva is a sample of God. This relationship is described as acintya-bhedābheda-tattva—simultaneously one and different. The jīva is eternal and spiritual, but due to his minute size, he is prone to forgetfulness, whereas Kṛṣṇa, the Supersoul, never falls under the clutches of illusion.
- In this sense jiva soul is avheda or non-different from the param brahma. But on account of the param brahma being the supreme, the biggest, the identical brahma or jiva brahma being very minute, it is different from the param brahma.
- Aham brahmasmi. I am not this material body, but spirit soul. And what are the characteristics of the jiva, the soul? First of all, he is animanam, very minute, infinitesimal.
- Arjuna, the jiva soul, is represented as forgetful of his many, many previous births, but the Lord, the Supersoul, is not forgetful.
Witness and the Sanctioner
The relationship between the jīva and the Supersoul is beautifully illustrated by the analogy of two birds sitting in the same tree (the body). One bird is eating the fruits of the tree (enjoying and suffering karma), while the other bird is simply watching. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the jīva cannot do anything without the sanction of the Supreme Lord. The Supersoul notes the desires of the individual soul and awards him a particular type of body to fulfill those desires, serving as the constant companion and witness.
- Both the Supreme Soul and the jiva soul are sitting in the same body, as confirmed in the Upanisads. They are sitting as friends, but one is suffering, and the other is aloof from suffering.
- Since one cannot do anything without the sanction of the Supreme Lord, He lives with the jiva soul as witness and sanction-giver.
- The inferior purusa and the superior purusa. Anumanta upadrasta, the Supersoul, He is overlooking the activities of the jiva soul, and according to his karma, He is giving a different type of body, ksetra.
Marginal Energy and Embodiment
The jīva is classified as the "marginal energy" of the Lord. This means the soul is situated between the spiritual and material potencies. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the jīva has the free will to choose service to Kṛṣṇa or the desire to lord it over matter. When the soul forgets his nature and desires independent enjoyment, he enters the material energy. The physical body develops around the jīva specifically to facilitate these karmic desires, just as a glove takes the shape of a hand.
- Out of desire to lord it over, the jiva soul forgets that he is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss and identifies with the material energy. So it is the consciousness of the conditioned soul that is affected.
- Marginal energy is that the jiva soul is always called marginal energy whether he is in the spiritual world or in the material world. There are instances where marginal energy jiva souls have fallen from the spiritual world, just like Jaya and Vijaya.
- Just like the matter created by the male and female, the jiva soul enters and then the body develops.
The Perfection of Consciousness
The struggle of the jīva on the "tree" of the material body ends only when he turns his face toward the other bird, the Supersoul. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that perfection is not merely realizing "I am Brahman" (spirit), but acting in that capacity. When the jīva agrees to accept the instruction of the Supersoul—as Arjuna did by surrendering to Kṛṣṇa—he becomes free from lamentation. The constitutional position of the jīva is not to be the master, but to be the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gives the identification of jiva soul as the eternal servant of Krishna and is situated as marginal potency of the Lord based on the philosophy of acintya-bheda bheda-tattva.
- As soon as the jiva soul agrees to accept the other bird as the supreme spiritual master - as Arjuna agreed to do by voluntary surrender unto Krsna for instruction - the subordinate bird immediately becomes free from all lamentations.
- When the jiva soul accepts the dictates of the Supreme consciousness Supersoul, his activities will no longer be for the sake of personal sense gratification but will be only for the purpose of gratifying the senses of Krishna.
Conclusion
The philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness offers a precise scientific analysis of the self. We are not the body, nor are we the Supreme God; we are minute, individual spirit souls (jīvas) eternally related to the Supreme Lord. By understanding that Kṛṣṇa, as the Supersoul, is our constant companion waiting for our return, we can stop the hard struggle for material existence. The ultimate freedom for the jīva lies not in merging into the void, but in harmonizing his will with the will of the Supersoul through loving devotional service.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Jiva Soul. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.