SOUL JOURNEY

8.4 Million Species & the Path of the Soul

A concise, poster-style overview based on Bhagavad-Gita teachings

Humans, Animals, Plants

Traditional counts of life forms described in Vedic texts:

400,000 species of Humans

900,000 species of Aquatics

2,000,000 species of Plants

1,000,000 species of Birds

3,000,000 species of Beasts

1,100,000 species of Insects

Due to the desires and deserves of a soul, which were developed in its human birth,
a soul will enter a human, animal, or plant body. At death the cycle is repeated (reincarnation).
The 8.4 million species or bodies exist to satisfy the mentalities developed in human life.
(Bhagavad-Gita 2.13)

Every Body Has a Soul

Eventually souls go back to the spiritual manifestation.
There is no eternal torture or torment or hellfire.
(Bhagavad-Gita 4.9, 8.16, 8.21)

Qualities of Work (for Social Harmony)

To ensure proper functioning of human society and justice, a social work order or class system is prescribed
to assign people for roles based on their qualifications or abilities.

  • Brahmins (Priestly Class): Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness – these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work. (Bhagavad-Gita 18.42)
  • Kṣatriyas (Military Class): Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the kṣatriyas. (Bhagavad-Gita 18.43)
  • Vaiśyas (Business Class): Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaiśyas. (Bhagavad-Gita 18.44)
  • Śūdras (Laborer Class): For the śūdras there are labor and service to others. (Bhagavad-Gita 18.44)

“By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect.” (Bhagavad-Gita 18.45)

Soul Journey

Spiritual Manifestation: Billions of spiritual planets

Material Manifestation: Billions of material planets

After zillions of years in the spiritual world, many souls decide to enter the material world again.
(EternalReligion.org)

Five Features of the Soul

  1. All souls are 100% equal and Divine (Bhagavad-Gita 4.35, 15.7).
  2. Every soul is eternal (Bhagavad-Gita 2.12).
  3. Every soul is a unique individual (Bhagavad-Gita 2.24).
  4. Every soul is full of knowledge (Brahma-samhita 5.1).
  5. Every soul is completely blissful (Brahma-samhita 5.1).

Picture and Bhagavad-Gita verses courtesy © The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. —
www.krishna.com
Compiled & adapted from EternalReligion.org booklet (Oct 2012).