Concept of Soul in the Sanatana Dharma

After understanding the four fundamental principles -the One Indivisible Whole, Universal Unity, the Eternal Law of Change and Ahimsa (non-violence) as the highest human value, the most significant concept that emerges in the Sanatana Dharma is that of the Atma - Atman (Soul), which is the most prominent theme of the Upanishads; in the Upanishads, it is the underlying fundamental reality, which is the eternal element that does not get destroyed even after death.)

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The Soul - in fact, the Jeevatma, occupies the most important place in the cosmic order - Jagata, after the Indivisible Totality - represented by the Supreme Soul or Brahman. This is consciousness - the basis of life. Starting from the Vedas to the Upanishads, the Shrimadbhagavadgita and almost all other major texts of the Sanatana Dharma, there have been references to the existence, state and goal of the Jeevatma (Soul) in the ambit and order of the Indivisible Whole. Along with discussions about the Supreme Soul, i.e., Paramatma, there are also explanations about the reality of the Soul, its involvement in Karmas, and especially the state of the human Soul after death. There are also interpretations and views of interpreters of the Dharma and philosophers on all these references and descriptions. We know that in the Upanishads, which are related to the Vedas, there are references like “Ayam Aatmaa Brahman”, i.e., “This Soul is Brahman” (the Atharvavedic Mundakopanishad, Shloka-2), “Prajnaanam Brahman”, i.e., “This wisdom (Ultimate Reality - Consciousness) is Brahman” (the Rigvedic Aitareya Upanishad, Shloka 3: 1: 3), “Aham Brahmaasmi”, i.e., “I am Brahman” (the Yajurvedic Brihadaranyakopanishad, Shloka 1: 4: 10) and “Tattvamasi”, i.e., “That Brahma is you” (the Samavedic Chhandogyopanishad, Shloka 6: 8: 7). In this regard, a verse from the Shrimadbhagavadgita (2: 23), “Nainam Chhidanti Shastraani Nainam Dahati Paavakah/ Na Chainam Kleyantayaapo Na Shoshayati Maarutah”, i.e., “This Soul cannot be cut by a weapon, fire cannot burn it, it cannot be wetted by water and it cannot be dried by air”, also comes before us prominently.