In Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva (Sanskrit: जीव, jīva alternate spelling, jiwa) is a living being^[1], or more specifically the immortal essence of a living being (human, animal, fish or plant etc...) which survives physical death^[2]. It has a very similar usage to 'atma', but whereas atma refers to 'the self', 'jiva' is used to denote a 'living entity' or 'living being' specifically. The concept of the jiva is similar, but not necessarily identical to, the concept of the soul as presented in Abrahamic religions. The word itself originates from the Sanskrit Jivás, with the root jīv- 'to breathe'. It has the same Indo-European root as the Latin word Vivus: "Alive". Jiva Goswami was one of the most prolific and important writers of the Gaudiya Vaishnava school of Hinduism, and one of the famous Six Goswamis of Vrindavana. ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Jain and Jaina redirect here. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... The Atman or Atma (IAST: Ä€tmā, sanskrit: आत्म‍ ) is a philosophical term used within Hinduism and Vedanta to identify the soul. ... For other uses, see Soul (disambiguation). ... Symbols of the three main Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam Map showing the prevalence of Abrahamic (purple) and Eastern (yellow) religions in each country. ... Sanskrit ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ...

Definition

In the Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism the jiva is described as immutable, eternal, and indestructible. It is said not to be a product of the material world (Prakrti), but of a higher 'spiritual' nature^[3]. At the point of physical death the jiva takes a new physical body depending on karma and the individual desires and necessities of the particular jiva in question. Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... In computing, immutable refers to: the immutable design pattern in programming an immutable object in object-oriented programming This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Eternal can refer to: The British R&B group Eternal Eternals, the Marvel Comics characters created by Jack Kirby The eternity puzzle The concept of eternity The philosophical notion of the incorporeal, or immaterial realm. ... Indestructible is the sixth album by Rancid, released on August 19, 2003 (see 2003 in music). ... Prakrti or Prakriti (from Sanskrit language) is, according to samkhya philosophy, the basic matter of which the universe consists. ... For other uses, see Karma (disambiguation). ...

For further explanations see reincarnation and transmigration. This article is about the theological concept. ... Transmigration can has several meanings: Transmigration of the soul is a common term for reincarnation. ...

Goals

Jain and Hindu scriptures describe the ultimate goal of the jiva as being either of the following (depending on the particular philosophical tradition):

• 'liberation' from material existence (moksha)
• obtaining pure love of God (bhakti)
• or becoming liberated from the happiness and distress of the world, while still being existent within it (jivanmukta).

For further information see Dharmic Religions. For other uses, see Moksha (disambiguation). ... This article is about the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... Bhakti (Devanāgarī: भक्ति) is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning devotion and also the path of devotion itself, as in Bhakti-Yoga. ... Jivanmukta is a unique concept in Hindu philosophy, and that too, particularly in the school of philosophy known as advaita. ... map showing the prevalence of Dharmic (yellow) and Abrahamic (purple) religions in each country. ...

In Fiction

Jiva is the name of one of the main characters in Karmatrón, the Mexican comic book. Mexican comic book created in 1986 by Oscar González Loyo. ...

Certain characters in author Jennifer Roberson's Sword-Dancer series wield magical swords called jivatmas which contain the essences of vanquished opponents. Jennifer Roberson is an author of fantasy and historical literature. ...

Jivas play a recurring role in the comics of Jim Woodring. Jim Woodring (born October 11, 1952) is a comic book author and artist. ...

References

1. ^ Bhagavad Gita 7.5 "Besides these, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities [jiva] who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature."
2. ^ Brahma Samhita 5.21 "The same jiva is eternal and is for eternity and without a beginning"
3. ^ Bhagavad Gita 7.5

See also

• Jivanmukta
• Consciousness
• Muni
• Tirthankar

Jivanmukta is a unique concept in Hindu philosophy, and that too, particularly in the school of philosophy known as advaita. ... Consciousness is a quality of the mind generally regarded to comprise qualities such as subjectivity, self-awareness, sentience, sapience, and the ability to perceive the relationship between oneself and ones environment. ... Muni is a common abbreviation for municipal, and sometimes becomes a frequently-used name for a city-related service or organization: The Muny, an outdoor musical theatre in St. ... The 24 Jinas carved on a rock in Ginjee, Tamilnadu In Jainism, a Tirthankar (Fordmaker) (also Tirthankara or Jina) is a human who by adopting asceticism achieves enlightenment (perfect knowledge), thus becoming a Jina (one who has conquered his inner enemies - anger, pride, deceit, desire etc. ...

External links

• 'Jiva' - usage in Puranic scripture

Alana Jiwa: Fabric, Pattern, and fashion design http://alanajiwa.carbonmade.com/about/