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First Fundamental-Existence of Soul
when hydrogen and oxygen are separated by electrolysis or other process. Then they again manifest their own distinct properties.
In this connection, it is worth pointing out what the poet Banarasidas had said about the soul and lifeless matter. He had stated that equanimity, elegance, sublimation, knowing capability, happiness, experiencing, and consciousness are the seven attributes of soul. On the other hand existence in the form of embodiment, mind, speech, non-cognizance, aggregation, lightness, heaviness, etc. are the attributes of lifeless matter. These attributes of soul are explained by Shrimad in Vachanamrut # 436, 437, and 438. Moreover, he has stated (Vachanamrut # 266):
Jad Bhäve Jad Pariname, Chetan Chetan Bhäv; Koi Koi Palate Nahin, Chhodi Äp Swabhäv.
It means: Lifeless matter turns into lifelessness and the conscious soul into consciousness. No substance changes into something else and gives up its own properties.
Every original substance thus retains its properties and does not adopt those of a different substance. Similarly, though the body and conscious soul happen to occupy the same space, they do not adopt the properties of each other and cannot be reduced to one matter. They were two separate substances in the past, they are separate in the present, and will remain so in the future.
આત્માની શંકા કરે, આત્મા પોતે આપ; શંકાનો કરનાર તે, અચરજ એહ અમાપ.
IMCII
Ätmäni Shankä Kare, Ätmä Pote Äp; Shankäno Karnär Te, Acharaj Eh Amäp.
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