IS ATMA DIFFERENT FROM PARAMATMA

We have always been precepted by all revered Guru-s, hermits as well as faith-books/faith-scriptures that Atma and Paramatma are exactly identical...so strive to attain your maximum potential...liberate yourself to become Paramatma yourself. 

Alas ! It is not true. Atma and Paramatma are certainly different. 

Every Atma is an epitome of Sattva i.e. sanctity, purity and integrity as well as Citta i.e. Consciousness of the highest order. Atma is Sat and Cit both concurrently. 

Paramatma on the other hand, is Sat, Cit as well as Ananda too. Paramatma is entirely blissed i.e. being ANANDA-INCARNATE HIMSELF. Thus, Paramatma is complete and perfect within Himself. He does not have to strive for anything conceivable or otherwise, whatsoever. 

Every Atma is devoid of Ananda. Under the pernicious influence of Moha, when it strives to attain Ananda, it lands itself struggling for Sukha i.e. gratification of senses through acquisitions and possessions, inevitably and invariably followed by perpetual miseries. Even after attaining Moksa, Atma can never become Ananda-Incarnate. At best, Atma merely remains blissed under the influence and reflection of Ananda emanating from the Ananda-Incarnate i.e. Paramatma. It is akin to sun-rays vs. the sun itself. Sun-rays and sun are identical in all aspects except one. Neither sun-rays can exist independent of sun nor can they create a sun of their own. So is the relationship between Atma and Paramatma too. Then why are we all Jivatma-s wrongly precepted to strive to attain Moksa if we can never evolve into Ananda ourselves ?? A Mantra from Katha Upanisad too affirms to that effect – 

ऋतं पिबन्तौ सुकृतस्य लोके गुहां प्रविष्टौ परमे परार्धे ।

छायातपौ ब्रह्मविदो वदन्ति पञ्चाग्नयो ये च त्रिणाचिकेताः (Katha Upanisad 1.3.1)

Out of two, one is Atma associated with Karma-s i.e. actions and Karmaphala i.e. proceeds of actions. And the other is Param Brhamatma i.e. the Absolute Entity. Seers describe them as Chaya i.e. reflection and Atapa i.e. the radiant one whose reflection is Atma. Those who solemnise rituals of five Agni-s and three Naciketa-s, are also equally adorable. 

Moksa is the state of complete eradication of all agonies, pains, trials and tortures of mutable life. It is so profound that Jivatma turned Atma after attaining Moksa declines to regret the inability to become Ananda-Incarnate like Paramatma, settles down to enjoy the emancipation from all trials and tribulations of mortal life, basking under the glory of reflection of Ananda from the Ananda-Incarnate i.e. Paramatma. Inability to evolve into Ananda-Incarnate is thus, rendered insignificant. If we are not precepted so, number of seekers of Moksa shall dwindle steeply. 

During Vedic era, all 'drawing-room' gossips among friends and families veered around identifying ways and means of attaining Moksa !!! Sounds unbelievable, yet it is true. So glorious, so enlightened had been our past, our culture, our spiritual traditions, moorings and pursuits.

So, Moksa is worth its efforts !!!!