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What is the causal body?
कारणशरीरं किम् ?
अनिर्वाच्यानाद्यविद्यारूपं शरीरद्वयस्य कारणमात्रं
सत्स्वरूपाऽज्ञानं निर्विकल्पकरूपं यदस्ति तत्कारणशरीरम् ।
kāraṇaśarīraṃ kim ?
anirvācyānādyavidyārūpaṃ śarīradvayasya kāraṇamātraṃ
satsvarūpā’jñānaṃ nirvikalpakarūpaṃ yadasti tatkāraṇaśarīram .
The causal body is called as such because it is the sole cause of the gross and subtle bodies.
Characteristics of the causal body
It is of the form of avidyā or ignorance
It is inexplicable
It is without a beginning
It is the sole cause of the gross and subtle bodies
It manifests as the ignorance of one’s true nature
It is homogenous, without duality
What is avidyā or ignorance?
Ignorance can be understood by looking at the following cycle:
We are ignorant of our true nature as Existence-Consciousness-Bliss.
Due to this ignorance, we identify with our body, mind and intellect. These three are finite entities, and are always trying to extend or expand themselves to overcome their finitude. So we try to increase the lifespan of the body, we try to have pleasurable experiences for the mind, and we try to add accomplishments to the intellect.
The world becomes important to us in our quest to overcome finitude. We label things in the world as favorable and unfavorable and perform actions to attain the favorable and reject the unfavorable.
After obtaining favorable objects, we experience joy. Once the temporary joy wears out, we restart the cycle of seeking joy in objects.
So ignorance of our true nature is the real ignorance. Vedānta teaches us to nip this cycle in the bud by realizing our true nature as Existence-Consciousness-Bliss and not as the body, mind and intellect. Once that happens, it will gradually reduce our need to seek joy in the world. Our innate tendencies or vāsānās may continue to push us to seek joy in the world, but through determined effort, we can counteract their force.