Analytical Study of Body and Soul
The Bhagavad-gītā begins with the analytical study of the body and the soul, a philosophy known as sāṅkhya. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that without understanding this fundamental distinction, one remains in the darkness of animal life. This article explores the difference between the temporary material vessel and the eternal occupier, the unique position of the Supreme Lord who transcends this duality, and the practical application of this knowledge in daily life.
Difference Between Matter and Spirit
The first step in spiritual life is to distinguish the self from the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the body is a temporary machine, while the soul is the eternal driver. Confusion arises when the living entity identifies with the outer covering, but a sober, analytical study reveals that the soul is merely the occupier of the material frame.
- The conclusion should be the body and the soul, they are different. It is very simple truth, but because we have accumulated so much garbage dirty things within our heart, we cannot understand even this simple thing.
- A sober person can study himself and distinguish the soul from the body by analytical study.
- Just like of a house, rented house, one is the occupier and another is the proprietor, similarly, this body, I the soul, you the soul, we are simply occupier. The real proprietor is Krsna.
- This chapter (2 of the Bhagavad-gita) instructs us in self-realization by an analytical study of the material body and the spirit soul, as explained by the supreme authority, Lord Sri Krsna.
Absolute Nature of Supreme Lord
While the conditioned soul is different from their material body, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that this duality does not apply to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Kṛṣṇa is absolute; His body is not made of material elements but is entirely spiritual, eternal, and full of bliss. To think of Kṛṣṇa's body as material is a grave offense and a sign of ignorance.
- At no time is there a distinction between the body and the soul of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His personal identity and His body are made of blissful spiritual energy. There is no distinction between them.
- There is no difference between Krsna’s body and His soul. Krsna is simultaneously both soul and body. The distinction between body and soul applies to conditioned souls.
- A Vaisnava knows perfectly well that for Krsna, Lord Jagannatha or Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu - unlike for ordinary human beings - there is no distinction between the body and the soul.
Maintaining Body and Soul for Service
Understanding the distinction between body and soul does not mean neglecting the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that one should maintain "body and soul together" to execute devotional service. The goal is simple living and utilizing the body as an instrument for Kṛṣṇa, rather than engaging in unfair means of livelihood for sense gratification.
- A Krsna conscious person, fully engaged in self-realization, has very little time to falsely possess any material object. For maintaining body and soul, he does not require unfair means of accumulating money.
- Our Vedic advice is that make life very simple. You must have some means of livelihood. Keep your body and soul together. So according to quality, guna-karma-vibhagasah (BG 4.13), there must be division, and then simple life.
- In the material world one has to work for the maintenance of the body and soul, but how can one perform such work in a way that is favorable for the execution of Krsna consciousness.
Conclusion
The analytical study of body and soul is not merely a theoretical exercise but the practical beginning of self-realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while we are currently entrapped in a dualistic existence, the ultimate goal is to revive our eternal relationship with the absolute Lord, where the conflict between the body and the self is resolved in spiritual perfection.
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 Body and Soul. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.