Jeev Tattva: The Soul Element- Part 1

Q-1: What is Jeev?
A-1: An element that has signs of life and displays characteristic of "Upyog" or "Attentiveness to one's true nature" is considered Jeev. In other words, an element that possesses dravya-prana and Bhav- Prana and can experience happiness and sadness is called Jeev.

Q-2: What is Dravya-Prana and Bhava-Prana?
A-2:
A. Dravya-Prana: Unification with that which permits life and separation from that which results in death is called Dravya Prana. Dravya Prana has 10 facets to it:
a. 5 senses- touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing
b. 3 Powers of life: Power of Mind, Power of Speech and the Power of Body
c. Power of Respirations: The power that enables inspiration and expiration
d. Age Or Aayushya: That what permits stay in a particular body for a certain
length of time
B. Bhava-Prana: The virtues of Soul are termed as Bhava-Prana. Bhava-Prana has 4 facets to it.
a. Knowledge- Gyan
b. Faith- Darshan
c. Happiness- Sukh
d. Strength/ Courage- Virya

Q-3: What are the main types of Jeev tattva?
A-3: There are two main types of Jeev:
a. Bound to the World/ Worldly: Sansaari
b. Free from the world/ Free (All Accomplished): Siddha

Q-4: What does it mean to be "Worldly"?
A-4: All living beings residing in the 4 broadly categorized venues of existence (called Gatee in Jainism) are considered to be "Worldly". Every living being that is not free from the world is essentially worldly.

Q-5: What are these 4 venues of existence (Gatee) for all worldly living beings?
A-5: a. Hell b. Animal kingdom c. Human beings d. Heaven

Q-6: What does it mean to be "Free"?
A-6: The soul or Jeev tattva that is free from life- death, disease- despair, hunger- thirst, karma and body is considered to be Free. The Free Soul does not have to roam around in the 4 venues of existence. The Free Soul resides at the top most part of the universe, called the Siddha-Kshetra (the place for the freed and all accomplished). The Free Soul never ever has to return to this world. The Free Soul endowed with infinite knowledge, infinite faith, infinite happiness, infinite strength and infinite other virtues. The Free Soul is forever immersed in the ocean of infinite self-happiness.