13, 14. What is the Sanskrit word used to translate “soul”? What does it mean?

¹³ At Genesis 2:7 in the Bible we read the statement: “The man came to be a living soul.” Here the word “soul” appears, and it is translated from the Hebrew word neʹphesh. This Hebrew word comes from a root meaning “to breathe.” However, it signifies “a living being, an individual, a person.” When this verse was translated into Sanskrit, the phrase “living soul” was translated “sa sātmaprāni babhuva.” Sātmaprāni contains three words: sa-ātma-prāni.⁠¹⁰ Sa means “with”; ātma⁠¹¹ is “spirit”; and prāna signifies “vitality, life, vital breath.”⁠¹² The Sanskrit prānin⁠¹³ means “a living or sentient being, an individual, a person,” similar to the Hebrew neʹphesh.

¹⁴ In Sanskrit, a prāni in a literal sense could signify “a breather,”⁠¹⁴ someone or something that breathes. The Hebrew neʹphesh has the same significance. Animals are also breathers; they also breathe. So the Sanskrit Bible translators rendered neʹphesh as prāne (plural of prāni) at Genesis 2:19, where the Hebrew word for “soul” refers to animals, not humans. Thus, prān is frequently used in the Sanskrit Bible to translate the Hebrew neʹphesh, and the Greek word for soul, psy·kheʹ.

15. How is the Sanskrit word for “soul” used in the translation of Genesis 2:7 and of 1 Corinthians 15:45 in the Bible?

¹⁵ Hence, the Sanskrit translation of the phrase “[man] became a living soul” (sa sātmaprāni babhuva) could be rendered literally into English as “[man] with spirit soul became.” (Genesis 2:7) It could properly be read: “[man] became a ‘spirited’ soul,” or “an animated soul.” This statement in Genesis is referred to later in the Bible at 1 Corinthians 15:45. Here, the writer quotes Genesis and says: “The first man Adam became a living soul.” The Sanskrit translation of this reads: “Purusha Adam jivaprāni babhuva.” The phrase “living soul” appears as jivaprāni. The word jiva⁠¹⁵ signifies “living,” while prāni is used to translate the word for “soul.”

16. Why is there confusion over the meaning of “soul” and “spirit”? Should there be?

¹⁶ Confusion arises because in some Indian languages “soul” and “spirit” are used interchangeably.⁠¹⁶ When translating the Bible into other languages, scholars allowed preconceived beliefs to influence their use of these words.⁠¹⁶ However, in the Bible languages and in Sanskrit the words “soul” (neʹphesh, prān) and “spirit” (ruʹach, ātma) are not interchangeable.a

17. How only can we learn the truth about “soul” and “spirit”?

¹⁷ To learn the truth about “soul” and “spirit” we must distinguish between their two different meanings and distinctive applications. That there is a difference is clearly seen in the Bible at Hebrews 4:12, where it says: “For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul [prān, Skt.] and spirit [ātma, Skt.].” The distinction is also shown at 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

18. (a) What question has tantalized mankind for centuries? (b) What divided opinions existed in Vedic times?

¹⁸ Then what is this thing called prān, or soul? Does it survive death? This question has tantalized man for many centuries. The Katha-Upanishad⁠¹⁷ relates a curious conversation between the Hindu god of death and a youth named Nachiketa. Nachiketa said: “Some say the soul exists after death, others say it does not exist. I request as my third boon, that I may be introduced by thee in the true answer to this question.” Thus, this Upanishad reveals some doubt on the subject of survival after death. Divided opinions on the state of the dead existed even after the Vedas were written. Then how did the Upanishad answer this common question? It said: “On this point even the gods formerly had their doubts. It is not easy to understand. That subject is subtle. Choose another boon, O Nachiketa, do not press me, and let me off that boon.”⁠¹⁸ Hence, in some religious communities there has been uncertainty on this question.

20. (a) How does the Bible describe the creation of the first human soul? (b) Of what is a living human soul composed, and how might it be illustrated?

²⁰ The Bible gives much enlightenment on the prān, or soul. It also contains comforting and cheering information on the condition of the dead, and it provides hope for our dead loved ones. The Bible’s description of the human soul is found at Genesis 2:7, “Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of the dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul [sātmaprāni, Skt.].”