Jīva
जीवपुंल्लिङ्ग (masculine) · √जीव् धातु (jīv — to live) — the living one
jīva
Fundamental Concepts
The individual — consciousness apparently limited by body-mind
Jīva is the individual — ātman apparently limited by association with body, mind, and senses (upādhis). The real nature of the jīva is Brahman, but due to ignorance (avidyā), it identifies with its limitations and suffers. The spiritual journey is the jīva recognizing that its true nature was never limited. Like the space in a pot (ghaṭa-ākāśa) is, in reality, total space (mahā-ākāśa).
Using this in academic work? Get formal citation
Vishva Vidya (2026). Jīva (जीव). Vishva Vidya — Vedanta. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/jiva
Vishva Vidya. "Jīva (जीव)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026, https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/jiva.
Vishva Vidya. "Jīva (जीव)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/jiva.
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