Does Jivatma Exist or is it an Illusion?

The concept of Jivatma (the individual soul) is significant in the context of Indian philosophy and is affirmed in the teachings of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. According to these texts, Jivatma is not an illusion but an integral part of the eternal truth.

1. The Bhagavad Gita states that the soul is indestructible and eternal. As expressed in Chapter 2, Verse 20:

   “The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless.”

2. Furthermore, the Gita highlights that the material body is temporary, while the Jivatma resides in it:

   “Only the material body is perishable; the embodied soul within is indestructible, immeasurable, and eternal.” (Chapter 2, Verse 18)

   【4:18†source】

3. The Upanishads also support this viewpoint, stating that the soul is connected to the Supreme (Brahman), emphasizing the idea that while the physical existence is transient, the essence of the soul is permanent.

4. For example, the Chhāndogya Upaniṣhad mentions that the individual soul should be understood and realized, aligning with the concept of one's eternal nature.

In conclusion, both the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads affirm the existence of Jivatma as a fundamental and eternal aspect of reality, contrasting with the transient nature of the physical world.