Eternal Jiivas (was Realization of Bhagavan, Parmatma and Brahman)

[Guest guest]

achintya, Sanjay Dadlani <dark_knight_9>

wrote:

 

> I know that jivas are eternal on the strength of

> 'mamaivamso jivaloka jivabhuta sanatanah,' in which

> Sri Krishna insists that the jivas are but *eternal*

> fragmental parts of Himself. This led me to believe

> that jivas are/were never created but are/were always

> existing. That is perhaps, the definition of eternal

> and eternity? Perhaps I was mistaken?

>

> Yet on the Dvaita list, there appears to be a current

> side-discussion going on about how jivas are *created*

> whenever the necessity arises. Therefore it seems that

> the Madhvas have provision in their doctrine of new

> creations of jivas happening. I wonder why this is so.

 

I don't see how one can reconcile the doctrine that jiivas are

created with the doctrine that jiivas are eternal. Being eternal

implies existing at all times in the past and future. That jiivas are

eternal is evidence from BG 2.12 "na tvevaahum jaatu naasam na tvam

neme janaadhipaaH..." and the Katha Upanishad "nityo nityaanaam

chetanash chetanaanaam" which speaks of one eternal (Bhagavaan) among

many eternals (jiivas).

 

I would not conclude from the discussion you alluded to that "madhvas

have provision in their doctrine of new creations of jivas

happening." At least not until I see some explicit statements of

Madhva to this effect. All I would conclude for now is that some

Maadhvas believe that jiivas are created.

 

yours,

 

- K