2.1. Common Characteristics of Jīvas and Īśvaras

Svāminārāyaṇa has described both the jīvas and īśvaras often together.

“That Virāṭa Puruṣa is just like this jīva, and his actions are also similar to that of the jīva.” (Vacanāmṛta Gadhadā II/31, p.459).

Moreover, in Vac. Gadh 1/45, Svāminārāyaṇa explains how Parabrahman is the controller of all jīvas and īśvaras. He also mentions the fruits of karmas of all jīvas and īśvaras that are granted according to their karmas.

The Bhāṣyakāra also highlights the same fact:

“tatsarganibandhanasaṃsaraṇasvabhāvāptabaddhajīveśvarasamūhamiśritaṃ...jagat pareṇa brahmaṇā akṣarabrahmaṇā ca vāsyam” (Īśa-upaniṣad 1, p.6)

“Brahman and Parabrahman pervade the world which is full of jīvas and īśvaras who are bound by māyic qualities such as the following the circle of life and death.” Moreover, he clears the category of devas: “jīveśvarakoṭigatā devāḥ” (Īśa-upaniṣad 4, p.12) “Devas fall in the īśvara category.” In addition, Parabrahman creates abodes; therefore, they can have a relish of the fruits of their karmas.”

Like the Jīva, the Īśvaras also have three bodies which are the fragments of the creation of the world.

“utpattiriha tattajjīveśvaracetanānuṣṭhatakarmānusṛtatattatphalopabhogānukula-tattallokapālādisarjanam” (Brahmasūtra 1/1/2, p.13)

“Here creation means the production of the various lokas (abodes) and commodities for enjoyment within those abodes. These all are created according to jīvas and īśvaras’ karmas.”

The īśvaras are ontologically metaphysically distinct from all four entities accepted in the Svāminārāyaṇa Vedanta. Although īśvara as an eternal entity, is greater than jīvas but is still in the clutch of māyā and most inferior to Parabrahman and Akṣarabrahman.^[1]

They are also eternal entities.

“na pralaye jīveśvarātmano naśyanti na vā sarge nūtanā utpadyante iti siddham” (Brahmasūtra 2/3/18, p.232).

“Even after the dissolution of each brahmānda, they exist in a dormant state within māyā until called again to activity in the next round of cyclic creation.”

As mentioned:

“janimṛtipravāhe saṃsaranti te janā baddhā jīveśvarāḥ” (Īśa-upaniṣad 3, p.11)

“Jīvas and īśvaras are eternally bound by māyā and are trapped in the circle of life and death.”

²¹⁷ Svāminārāyaṇa Siddhāntasudhā Kārikā 348

²¹⁸ Brahmasūtra 2/3/19, p.233, Brahmasūtra 2/3/33, p.240

By the power of Parabrahman, they can indulge in various enjoyment and wish to do several activities,^[2] even while being wholly dependent on him (and Akṣarabrahman).

“jīveśvarakartutvaṃ na svātantryeṇa api tu parāt sahajānandaparamātmanaḥ tannityecchayā akṣarabrahmaṇaścaiva saṃbhavati |” (Brahmasūtra 2/3/41, p.244)

“Jīvas and īśvaras are capable of doing action only by the grace of Parabrahman and Aksahrbrahman.”

Moreover, like jīvas, īśvaras are also countless baddhajīveśvarasamūhamiśritaṃ...jagat (Īśa-upaniṣad 1, p.6) in number and atomic in individual size.

“aṇuparimāṇa eva na tu vibhuḥ” (Brahmasūtra 2/3/20, p.233).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Svāminārāyaṇa Siddhāntasudhā Kārikā 348

[2]:

Brahmasūtra 2/3/19, p.233, Brahmasūtra 2/3/33, p.240