Atma or soul is one of the unique concepts of Ayurveda. It can not be seen, felt or heard, but its existence in the body means living, and its exit defines the death of a living being. It is the essence of life and a source of supreme knowledge.
When the soul departs from the body, the body becomes devoid of consciousness – just like a vacant house without its owner! Atma is the doer! But it cannot perform any action without coming into contact with the mind. And the mind cannot function alone without the soul. The Atma is omnipresent. But when put on a body, it becomes trapped in its sense organs and pleasures and bound by past-life Karma (good and bad). The soul is free to act the way it likes (free will). However, these actions are the fruits of one’s own Karma!
The divine vision is the only sense to comprehend this Atma or Soul. It is the aware element; it is everywhere, beyond the reach of the reasons, and it engages in attachment because of its association with the intellect and other things. It may enter into any physique, execute any action, and take on any shape. There is no alteration to the soul. It makes no difference in its presence among various animal species. It is differentiated solely by the unique characteristics of different animal species’ bodies and minds.
But by controlling the mind (“manascha samadhanat”), Atma becomes powerful! An Atma is devoid of desires, and action attains salvation! Though Atma is present only in one body, closely knit with the mind and Karma, it is a part of the bigger, all-pervading Atma (a.k.a Brahman) – the universal consciousness! That’s why says, “Yatha pinde Tatha Brahmande” in Yajurveda. As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm.”
“Aham Brahmasmi” (I am Brahman!)