2018, What is Soul /Atma/Ruh – Creation, Stages and Deep Cosmic Understanding

Introduction

Param Shanti Bapuji welcomes everyone and introduces today’s deep spiritual question: What is Atma (Soul)? Until now, very few have truly explained the nature of the soul beyond scriptures. The discussion begins with a profound inquiry: If the soul is not the gross body, subtle body, or causal body, then what exactly is it? And why has it been described as the witness of these three bodies?

The pure formless world itself does not fully exist within our Solar System. Instead, such completely formless realms are present in other Brahmand. Focusing specifically on our galaxy, it is explained that Mahasiva has created an infinite number of Shivas.These multiple expressions or divisions of Shiva are referred to as Param Atma (Supreme Soul particles).

However, an important point is emphasized: The souls (Atmas) in our Solar system cannot easily return to or attain the absolute formless state. This limitation exists because of the way creation has occurred. Brahma has created seven lokas, and within this process, he manifested seven forms directly from himself, similar to his own nature. Because of this structured/ Akari creation, souls are born into a system that is already shaped and differentiated, even if its origin is formless.

To understand this better, an analogy is given:

Just as a Parampurush (Supreme Being) can create another Parampurush from within himself, and that new being carries the same “DNA” or essence, in a similar subtle and non-physical way, Brahma has manifested creation from within himself. This process is not physical but subtle and energetic, governed by divine will and consciousness. There was no Nirakari creation occurred.

The True Nature of the Soul

The soul is described as formless—completely beyond physical structure. It is called Param Atma (Supreme Soul) because it is essentially Param Prakash (Supreme Light).

• The soul itself is made of one divine supreme light

• This light cannot be seen through eyes or even by science

• Just as God is made of Supreme Light, the soul—being His creation—is also made of the same light

Thus, the soul is not separate from the Supreme—it is of the same essence.

In its pure formless state, there is no external interference, and it possesses all divine qualities of the Supreme. This is why it is said: “Like father, like son” In the formless state/ Nirakari state, the soul and Supreme Soul are not different.

“Satyam Shivam Sundaram” — the soul (Atma) itself embodies truth, divinity, and beauty in its pure essence.

Now, speaking specifically about the formless state, when the soul becomes completely formless and merges into Supreme Light (Param Prakash), it naturally ascends to the Supreme Abode (Paramdham).

In this highest state, the formless soul cannot remain in realms like Shivpuri or Vishnupuri, because these are still structured levels of existence within creation. The truly formless Atma transcends all such realms and directly reaches the Supreme Abode, where only pure, absolute light exists.

Why Soul is Called a Witness

The soul is described as the witness of the gross, subtle, and causal bodies because:

• It is not these bodies, but It experiences through them

The bodies act as instruments, while the soul remains the observer and source of power.

Where Does the Soul Reside?

The soul resides in the central point of the mind and controls the functioning of the mind. Center point of Forehead, between eyebrow

There are different stages of the soul:

• Formless stage- Nirakaari

• Subtle stage- Aakari

• Other descending stages- Physical/ Gross

Creation of the Soul

The creation of the soul is explained through cosmic processes:

• The universe originated through divine creation by Brahma

• Multiple universes and forms emerged

• In our galaxy, Mahadev (Mahasiva) created infinite forms of Shiva

• These fragments are referred to as Param Atma (Supreme Soul particles)

However, souls in our universe cannot easily reach the absolute formless state, because they are created within structured creation by Brahma in aakari form.

Cosmic Realms and Soul Journey

The soul travels through different realms:

1. Formless World (Supreme Stage)

• Pure Supreme Light

• No interference

• Direct union with Supreme

2. Shivpuri

• Beginning of formation

• Soul still largely formless

• Only causal body exists (no subtle body)

3. Vishnupuri (Vaikunth)

• 50% divine elements + 50% material elements

• Subtle body replaces causal body

4. Brahmapuri and Lower Worlds

• Souls descend further

• Become Devatas (divine beings)

• Gradually fall into material existence

5. Mortal World

• Body made of five elements

• Full material existence

Formation of Bodies

In Shivpuri, the existence is 100% formless in nature. Here, both Shiva and Shakti (Adi Shakti) exist in their pure, original state. From this divine union ultimately emerge the powers that later express as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankar within creation. At this level, all aspects—causal body, subtle body, and the formless body—are entirely rooted in the formless state. In fact, the causal body itself is completely formless, and the soul (Atma) also exists in its pure formless condition. The soul here can be understood as the embodiment of formless elements, such as formless sky, formless air, and formless fire. This level of existence belongs exclusively to Shivpuri.

However, when the soul descends into Vishnupuri (Vaikunth), a transformation occurs. The composition changes into a balance of 50% Param Tattva (divine elements) and 50% ordinary Tattva (material elements).

At this stage:

• The earlier causal-dominant state begins to shift

• The subtle body becomes active and replaces the causal body’s primary role

This description applies to high-quality, elevated souls.

As these souls descend further into the third world, they take on more defined forms and begin to resemble Devatas (divine beings).

For example, in the process of divine creation:

• From Shiva and Shakti, the form of Vishnu emerges

• From Vishnu, Brahma manifests from the navel, symbolizing the continuation of creation

The soul gradually acquires bodies:

• Formless stage → no bodies

• Causal body forms first

• Subtle body forms later

• Gross body forms in material world

In Shivpuri: Only causal body exists

In Vishnupuri: Subtle body emerges

In physical world: Gross body (five elements) forms

High-Level Souls and Creation

High-level souls (Param Purush) are described as:

• Made of Param Prakash (Supreme Light)

• Bodies composed of Param Tattva (divine elements)

Through divine intention (Sankalp):

• One thought can create thousands or lakhs of beings

Creation occurs as:

• Shiva creates Shakti

• Vishnu creates Lakshmi

• Brahma creates Saraswati

Thus, Purush (consciousness) creates Prakriti (nature).

Descent into Materiality

As creation descends:

• Param elements reduce

• Material elements increase

• Souls lose purity

• Become subtle beings → then physical beings

Eventually: The body becomes composed of three elements, then five elements

Role of Mind, Causal Body, and Subtle Body

• All actions are performed through the mind

• The body (causal, subtle, gross) is just an instrument

• The causal body stores impressions (Sanskar)

• Initially, the causal body is open, but later becomes hidden inside the subtle body

Origin of Mind

In the highest state: There is Mind is pure form, No intellect or sanskar

As the soul begins descending:

• A resolution (Sankalp) arises

• This becomes the seed (root)

• From this root, vibrations emerge

• Mind is formed

This is compared to:

• A banyan seed → root → tree

Similarly: Soul → Sankalp → Mind → Creation

Why Soul Takes Form

The soul gradually moves from:

• Formless → subtle → material

This process takes a very long time and can only be understood by highly elevated souls.

Important Insight

The soul’s journey is not accidental—it is driven by its own Sankalp (resolution) to evolve and experience creation.

Conclusion

The discourse concludes by emphasizing:

• The soul is Supreme Light

• It is beyond all bodies

• It becomes entangled in creation through gradual descent

• Mind, bodies, and worlds are formed step by step

• True understanding requires a high spiritual state

• The soul is originally pure Paramshakti (Supreme Energy)

• The descent into creation is due to Sankalp (will/desire)

• Mind is not original—it is a product of vibration

• Liberation (moksha) means returning to the formless Param Prakash state

• The cycle of creation is eternal and multidimensional

This aligns with the concept that:
The soul’s ultimate goal is to return to Paramshanti (Supreme Peace) by transcending all bodies and vibrations.