Page 338 - The Path of Grace

PATH OF GRACE
Manas and Buddhi while in the case of the second it is a conglomerate of the physical, vital, mental sheaths. Jiva is the living element, owing its biological existence primarily to the elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether). This is also known therefore as a product of Prakrti (Nature) which comes under the influence of Ahankar or the ego consciousness, the moment it gets a form and name, which gives rise to feelings of separation and alienation from the rest of the creation and starts failing to perceive its original nature. {In the Vedantic tradition the Taitiriya and Katha Upanishads are important sources of information for our understanding of the constitution of man. In the Katha Upanishad says Lord Yama, "Beyond the senses are the objects and beyond the objects is the mind. Beyond the mind is buddhi and beyond buddhi is the great self (mahan atma)".}
It is the Jiva (excluding the physical body and as Tanmatras) which together with Atman goes through the chain of repeated births and deaths. While Atman consisting of Buddhi, Chitta, Manas and Ahankar is capable of rearranging and
382