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Space Travel of the Soul

By D. G. Vedia

Vol. 262003pp. 54–62English

Summary

In 'Space Travel of the Soul', the author addresses metaphysical questions about the soul’s journey after death and its passage through different cosmic realms. Drawing from Jain cosmology and other Indian philosophical traditions, the article explains that the soul is a non‑material entity that traverses space in a manner incomparable to physical bodies. According to Jain texts, the universe consists of a central cosmic column surrounded by non‑cosmic space, and souls wander through various regions—such as heavens, hells and human worlds—based on their karmic load. The author discusses the mechanisms that enable the soul to move at high speed, noting that the soul is not impeded by physical constraints because it lacks mass and is propelled by the vibrational energy of karma. The article compares the Jain view with modern scientific speculation about space travel, highlighting both parallels and differences. It further explores the spiritual significance of this journey, arguing that understanding the soul’s movement encourages practitioners to live ethically. Those who accumulate virtuous karma ascend to heavenly realms, while those who engage in violence and deceit descend to lower regions. Ultimately, the goal is to transcend space and time entirely by achieving liberation, where the soul rises to the top of the universe and remains in bliss.

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Conclusion

The author concludes that the soul’s journey through space is a central metaphor in Jainism and highlights the moral structure of the universe. While science marvels at physical space travel, Jain philosophy teaches that the real challenge is to purify karma so the soul can ascend beyond the cosmos. The article encourages readers to view ethical living as the vehicle for the soul’s ultimate voyage.

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “All the upanisads agree to the four stages of the soul passing through the experience of Jagrata, Svapna, Susupti and Turiya.”
  • “The soul after departure from the earth and led by some element reach here. As moon affects the mind the soul quickly reaches here.”
  • “Thus the effects of the actions on mind is the cause of boundage and transmiglation. Mind only can set free the soul.”

Works cited in this article

  1. Brguvalli of Kathopanisad
  2. Tailtiriya Upanisad
  3. Chhandogya Upanised (Prapathaka-4}
  4. Kausitaki Upanisad
  5. Shrimad Bhagavad Gita

Discussed in this article

People

Places

  • Lokaloka
  • Bhiloka
  • Candraloka
  • Dyuloka
  • Garbhopanisad
  • Narakiya yatana-yamya marga
  • Pitrayana
  • Pitrloka
  • Punyamarga-Saumya
  • Samvatsara marga
  • Bhimandala

Texts & works

  • Brguvalli

Dynasties, sects & groups

  • Upanisads

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Article order

In this issue

Vol. 26
1–5Early Theistic Vedantic Manifestation in the Classical UpanisadsVijay Pandya6–16The Concept of 'Guru' in the UpanisadsYajneshwar S. Shastri17–30Srutavarma of Bana – A Critical ReviewSudarshan Kumar Sharma31–38Doctrine of Karma: A Scientific ViewD. S. Baya39–46The Doctrine of Karma & Lesya – The Jaina PerspectiveKokila Hemchand Shah47–53The Karma Doctrine in the Swaminarayan TraditionNarayan M. Kansara54–62Space Travel of the SoulD. G. VediaCurrent article63–66Jaina Theory of Naya and Laksana – A Comparative StudyDinanath Sharma67–74Impact of Religion in the Growth of Female Education among the Jain Community of Gujarat (1850‑1901)Sujata Menon75–81Karmayoga Ke Dvara Karmabandhan ka AbhavVasantkumar M. Bhatt82–91Karmabandh aur Uske KaranShekhar Chandra Jain92–94Karm ka Bhotik SwarupMahaveer Raj Gelda95–104Purana, Sarg aur Srishti‑VikasSunita Kumari105–109બૌદ્ધ દર્શનમાં ભવચક્રKanjibhai M. Patel110–114વૈશેષિક દર્શનમાં કર્મવિચારVasant Parikh115–119ભગવદ્ગીતામાં સ્વધર્મ-પરધર્મ વિચારR. P. Mehta120–126પુરાણોમાં પુરુષાર્થ અને નિયતિ દ્વારા નિર્દિષ્ટ જીવન-રાહYogini Himanshu Vyas127–132સ્વામી દયાનન્દની કર્મમીમાંસાKamleshkumar Ch. Choksi133–135કર્મસમસ્યાનો ઉકેલ "māmanusmara" અર્થાત્ ઈશ્વરાનુસંધાનપૂર્વક ધર્માચરણMukund L. Wadekar136–145વ્યાજની વાતRasila Kadia146–171ઉપાધ્યાય મેઘવિજયગણિ વિરચિત ચિંતામણિ પરીક્ષાJitendra B. Shah172–174Gita and GandhijiTapasvi Shambhuchandra Nandi175–176ReviewS. G. Kantawala

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