Sūkṣma Śarīra

It is said that there exists three types of bodies and has been clearly described in Śāntiparva’s Sūkṣmasarīra: Sthūla, Sūkṣma and Kāraṇaśarīra are the three types. The overcoming of the inanimate and gross body by acquiring self-realization through the process of Yoga, will attain the body which is imperceptible, subtle and casual. This is not destructed even if the universe is destroyed. There are seventeen things which combine the body. This consists of five organs of knowledge, five actions with muscular power, mind, understanding and faculty combined with the attributes along with goodness, darkness and ignorance. The owner of the body is considered as the eighteenth and the occupier of the body is eternal.^[1] The twenty fifth part other than sixteen portions is the principle of greatness, which is unmanifest has to assume it repeatedly.^[2] The seventeenth possession is the acting soul and it can be seen that a large number of souls exists in due order.^[3] Only the yogins can perceive to the soul which is closed in the subtle forms in the gross body. This is so because the yogins have control over their senses and have realized self-realization with the knowledge of soul gifted to them. The yogins are also able to see the invisible beings with the help of their gifted souls. The soul of the yogins, which is individual, is void of death and decrepit because this is full to the brim with bliss and is always provided with seven principles. The Lord here stresses the word ‘always’ because though the soul is said to be freed, it can be terminated. The body which is endued with sixteen possession and which is the result of goodness is in par with the nature of physical organs and consciousness, is well known.^[4] Brahma is attained or rather is viewed when the following conditions are satisfied. They are-one has to comprehend the seven subtle principles and the supreme cause of the universe. This supreme cause of the universe consists of six attributes to be comprehended. The final requirement to attain Brahma in the context is to understand that the universe, which is a modified form, is nescience and has three qualities.

Then a question about the well-known twenty four springs up. It is the combination of the unmanifest and the manifest. It can be explained in other words that is, the five senses and the three qualities Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, constitute the seventeen. With this manifest and unmanifest mixture, combine the five objects of the five senses in company with consciousness and understanding.^[5] Mind is hard to be brought under control. But if a man has that power through knowledge, he can differentiate his mind and body even when asleep. He is enabled to experience both pleasure and pain.^[6]