Ways to purify soul

The purified soul is like a lotus leaf in water. Just as body is purged after a solemn bath, the soul too is sanctified after purification. Purification of soul moves you to the state of bliss which exalts it beyond morbid concern. Sage Bhrigu learnt the secret of bliss from his father Varuna.

Knowingly or unknowingly, you may fault somewhere in life which may prick your conscience perennially. Such a torture has psychic implications. One can avoid visit to a psychiatrist by turning inward. Talking about self-purification, Gandhiji laid insistence on a reform “more from within than from without.” A perfect constitution with a rotten soul is of no use either here on this earth or hereafter. Is it then that sacrifice and penance are the purifiers of soul? Let us see what scriptures say.

The Atharva Veda (Kanda Seven)) advises four ways to purify the soul. The foremost is meditation in which senses, mind and reason are brought under control. Withdrawing your senses from the sense objects you perform yoga that Lord Krishna stresses in The Bhagvadgita (VI/12) for ‘self-purification’. The next step is to be always truthful in thought, speech and action. Being truthful empowers your soul with confidence and courage bolstering you to wield trust in your work place and the living ambience. Truth is power, the power of the soul.

The third step of purification, according to the Atharva Veda, is dedication to knowledge.

This enables the practitioner to judge the things in the light of knowledge.

An ignorant self gropes in the darkness. Lord Krishna called it the yoga of knowledge (the Sankhya Yoga).

And the fourth step of purification is submission to the supreme power, the parmatma in which the atma will merge in the end. The purified soul is your best judge, guide and companion.

When torn in conflicting thoughts, consult your “inward” for an unbiased counsel. You will find the answer. And will realise the reason for a better and more meaningful life.