According to Vedic scriptures such as the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, three entities exist eternally without beginning or end: Brahm (God), the supreme controller, inspirer, and ultimate source of bliss; Jiva (Soul), the individual soul which is infinitesimal, eternal, and a part of Brahm; and Maya (Material Energy), the material world which is governed by God and serves as the temporary realm of physical experience based on past actions (karma).
Citing the Katha Upanishad, the discourse uses the classic chariot analogy to describe human nature: the Soul (Jiva) is the passenger inside the chariot, the Body is the chariot itself, the Intellect (Buddhi) is the driver holding the reins, the Mind (Manas) represents the reins controlling the horses, and the Senses (Indriyas) are the horses drawing the chariot. The key takeaway is that the senses follow the mind, and the mind is controlled by the intellect. When properly guided, the intellect leads the soul toward its ultimate purpose.
Every living entity inherently seeks happiness (bliss). Because the soul is an eternal part of God (Brahm), who is the embodiment of pure bliss (Ananda), permanent fulfillment can only be found in connecting with God rather than in temporary material pleasures (Maya). Therefore, we should repeatedly listen to spiritual teachings, reflect on them, and contemplate them deeply so that our understanding becomes firm. Finally, it explains that rituals, knowledge and austerities alone cannot earn God’s grace, we must surrender to God and sincerely seek his grace through devotion (bhakti).
