Classifications in Sanatana Dharma (Hindu Philosophy) Part 2

Now let us try to understand the creation.  In the very beginning there is only,repeat only, Brahman.Brahman which is ever existing ( beyond time) and beyond space. For any creation , there are two causes-  material cause (upadana  karana) and instrumental cause(Nimitta karana). Brahman is the material cause as well as the instrumental cause for the creation.  Brahman created five elements from itself.which are termed as bhootas. They are akash(space),vayu (air),agni (fire),apah(water) and prithvi (earth). This classification is very interesting. According to scriptures, the first one akash has only one property (guna) of sound. From the space, vayu has formed which has two properties of sound and feeling. The third one formed is Agni which has three gunas of sound, feeling and visibility. From agni emerged water with four properties of sound, feeling, visibility and taste. The last one is earth with five properties of sound, feel, visibility, taste and smell. All the five bhootas are inanimate (jatam) and the entire universe  along with the things like planets, earth and all living beings (jivas) are made of these five bhootas .Jiva is enlivened by Brahman which is present in each and every jiva.

By jiva, it includes all living things, animals, birds and human beings. This jiva is created in four ways. The lowest level of jiva comes out by breaking the surface (Plants). The next level gets the life under humid and other suitable conditions (worms and insects from closed container of food). The next one is by hatching out of eggs (birds) and the last one is born by mammals. The highest level of Jiva is the human being, who has the option of choosing his wish and action. The other jivas do not have this option. The corollary is that human being can improve or degrade himself, while other jivas complete their life as they are destined.

A jiva gets its body depending on its karma. The karma is classified into three-a) Sanchita Karma b) prarabta Karma  and  c) Agaami Karma. Sanchita Karma is the repository of the Jiva form which it takes various janmas(birth).Prarabta Karma is that part of Sanchitam, which makes the jiva to experience the happiness(Sukham) and sadness (Dukham) in one janma. Agaami Karma is the accumulation of results (Punyam or Paavam) due to the actions in one’s janma. It is also told that only human beings have the choice of doing good or evil actions .Depending on one’s actions he  /she accumulates Punyam or Paavam . So Aagami Karma applies only to human beings.