Jiva
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- For the Indian philosopher / devotee see Jiva Goswami
In Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva (alternate spelling, jiwa) is a living being[1], or more specifically the immortal essence of a living being (human, animal, fish or plant etc...) which survives physical death[2]. It has a very similar usage to 'atma', but whereas atma refers to 'the self', 'jiva' is used to denote a 'living entity' or 'living being' specifically. The concept of the jiva is similar, but not necessarily identical to, the concept of the soul as presented in Abrahamic religions. The word itself originates from the Sanskrit Jivás, with the root jīv- 'to breathe'. It has the same Indo-European root as the Latin word Vivus: "Alive".
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[edit] Definition
In the Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism the jiva is described as immutable, eternal, and indestructible. It is said not to be a product of the material world, but of a higher 'spiritual' nature. At the point of physical death the jiva takes a new physical body depending on karma and the individual desires of the particular jiva in question.
For further explanations see reincarnation and transmigration.
[edit] Goals
Jain and Hindu scriptures describe the ultimate goal of the jiva as being either of the following (depending on the particular philosophical tradition):
- 'liberation' from material existence (moksha)
- obtaining pure love of God (bhakti)
- or becoming liberated from the happiness and distress of the world, while still being existent within it (jivanmukta).
For further information see Dharmic Religions.
[edit] In Fiction
Jiva is the name of one of the main characters in Karmatrón, the Mexican comic book.
[edit] References
- ^ Bhagavad Gita 7.5 "Besides these, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities [jiva] who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature."
- ^ Brahma Samhita 5.21 "The same jiva is eternal and is for eternity and without a beginning"
