Subtle Existence - Understanding What Is Called a Ghost
In the Vedic understanding of biology and transmigration, the living entity is covered by two bodies: the gross and the subtle. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that what is commonly called a ghost is simply a living entity who has been deprived of the gross material body but remains trapped in the subtle covering of mind, intelligence, and ego. This condition is not a superstition but a specific material state resulting from certain psychological and karmic conditions. By understanding the nature of ghostly life, one can better appreciate the mechanics of the soul's journey through the material world.
Definition and Origin of the Ghostly Body
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, a ghost is a soul that remains in its subtle body because it has been denied a gross physical form made of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. This usually occurs when a person is too sinful or possesses extreme attachment to their earthly possessions, family, or country at the time of death. Instead of transitioning to a new gross body, the entity hovers in a mental form. Because they lack a physical instrument for sense gratification, their condition is one of great suffering and frustration.
- One who is too much attached to this material world or too much sinful, sometimes they are punished by not getting this gross body. They live in the subtle body, and that is called ghost.
- Those who are very sinful & attached to their family, house, village or country do not receive a gross body made of material elements but remain in a subtle body, composed of mind, ego, intelligence. Those who live in such subtle bodies are called ghosts.
- According to Vedic scripture, if some of my relatives or father and forefather did not get the body - are in the, what is called, ghost body . . . one has become a ghost.
- Sometimes, because of too much sinful activity, the living entity does not get a material gross body, but hovers on the subtle platform. This is called ghostly life.
Behavior of Ghostly Haunted Men
The interaction between the subtle body of a ghost and the gross body of a living person is often described as being haunted. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that a ghostly haunted man forgets his own identity and speaks or acts according to the dictation of the possessing spirit. This state is often indistinguishable from madness, as the victim may lose all sense of respect and even become violent toward those they would normally love. This phenomenon demonstrates the power of the subtle elements, mind, ego, and intelligence, over the physical frame.
- The man who is attacked, he forgets himself, and he speaks and walks according to the dictation of the ghost. That is called ghostly-haunted man.
- When a man is ghostly haunted - in Bengal it is called bhute pava - and he speaks nonsense, even his father is before him, he wants to attack his father without any respect. Madman, crazy.
- Abuses the father, mother, like anything. "Ah! You rascal! Why you have come? I shall kill you!" Like that. I have seen it. Mad, you call, or ghostly-haunted. Very dangerous.
Holy Ghost and the Supreme Spirit
While the term ghost often carries a negative connotation in a material context, Śrīla Prabhupāda also uses it to explain the Christian concept of the Holy Ghost. He identifies the Holy Ghost as the Supreme Spirit, or Paramātmā, which is one of the three features of the Absolute Truth. He distinguishes this divine spirit from the suffering subtle entities created by sin. Additionally, he warns against bhūtejya, or the worship of ghosts and the dead, explaining that such activities are a misuse of the soul's energy and do not lead to spiritual progress.
- God is the Supreme Spirit, and what in your Christian language it is called Holy Ghost, so we call atma, or the Supreme Spirit.
- The Absolute Truth is realized in three features: Brahman, beginning from Brahman; then Paramatma, Supersoul - I think in Christian world they call Holy Ghost - anyway, Paramatma, the Supersoul; and ultimately the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.
- The soul goes to another body and we foolishly worship the dead body, which is useless. This is called bhutejya. In Sanskrit language it is called bhutejya. Ghost worship.
- In the material world, when one is not covered by the gross body but subtle body, they are called ghosts or pramathas. Those who are good, not harmful, they are called pramathas.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that ghostly life is a factual but miserable state of existence for those who are overly attached to the material world. By remaining in the subtle body, these living entities suffer the consequences of their sinful acts and intense attachments. However, through the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can rise above both the gross and subtle bodies. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by connecting with the Supreme Spirit, rather than being haunted by material ghosts, the soul can achieve its natural, spiritual form and escape the punishments of subtle existence.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Called a Ghost. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.