Atma - an essential subject

We tend to identify ourselves with the bodies that we are in, but careful study of the scriptures will enable us to understand that this material body is just a covering of our original selves. The moment this body perishes, we take up another body (this process of changing bodies is compared to changing one's clothes in the Bhagavad-gītā, which leads us to conclude that the body is just a temporary covering). In order to break free from this cycle of birth and death, we must realize that we are not this body, but are the soul within. The Sanskrit term for soul is 'atma'. Since we are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, we are known as jivatmas, while the Supreme Lord is known as paramatma (param meaning 'the highest' and atma meaning 'soul').

Srila Prabhupada's books, lectures, conversations and letters offer a comprehensive presentation of this essential subject as seen in the Vaniquotes Atma category. An introduction from his books is given below in the following 8 quotes.


Quotes from Srila Prabhupada's books









Atma - explore more within this category.

Vanipedia has now over 903 introductory articles compiled from Srila Prabhupada's books under the series titled Essential Subjects. All these articles can be seen in the Table of Content on the right side of this article and also here in this Umbrella Category. Browse through them to relish the breadth and depth of Srila Prabhupada's teachings - There is a subject for everyone.


   
 

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