Atma Vs Mann, Chith, Buddhi

Karta Kaun, Bhogta Kaun? Atma Karta, Atma Bhogta ?

Since our Atma and Body are two different comopnents, viz:- Jeev (living) and Ajeev (non living) respectively, it is implict that the physical body cannot be the Karta or Bhogta. The physical body is a mere means of executing an action or experiencing a consequence. It is a conduit between the external world and our Atma (Soul).

Given that the inherent qualities of Atma (Soul) are to see, observe and exist in the pure state without any emotions (Bhav), then how is the Atma (Soul) Karta (Doer) and Bhogta (One who bears the results of one's own actions)?

We always think of the 'Self' as one who does all actions and bears its consequences, On dwelling deeper, it dawned on me that the Self had to be just more than the Physical Self, called 'John Doe'. Since Atma only observes everything, how could it make someone feel an emotion or make one act? There had to be something in between, that made a physical body feel and act in a certain way. So is it our brain the seat of all thought and action? But then Brain is the physical part of a body, it is Ajeev, how could a Ajeev part think or act? There has to be living component that that triggers action/reaction cycle other than Atma itself. 

Considering the hypothesis that the Atma and Karma have always co-existed together(mixed state) since time immemorial (infinite time span in the past), and they can be separated such that they are mutually exclusive of each other or cannot be combined again, lets try to deduce who is the Karta and Bhogta in simplistic way.

We will first need to determine the properties of Atma and Karma Pudgals (infinitely small particles). The properties of Atma based on which we will try to determine the Kartapan and Bhogtapan are listed below:-

1. Atma is Nithya (Eternal)

2. Atma is Shudh (Pure)

3. Atma is Jnah (Omniscient)

The properties of Karma Pudgal are viz:-

1. Karma Pudgals are Ajeev

2. Karma Pudgals are sookshma (very minute)

3. Each Pudgal possess atleast four qualities, i.e smell, taste, color and touch(wet, dry, sticky etc).

Given that the universal space is filled with it inifinite Karma Pudgals (minute particles) in motion (Dharmastikaya). Now, consider the start of time at minus infinity, the Atma (Jeev Pudgals) collide with the particles in motion, Karma Pudgals. As a result Jeev(Atma) and Ajeev(Karma) particles are attracted to each other, just like magnet that attracts a bunch of iron filings. Depending on the impact of Karma on the Atma, the force of attraction between Atma and Karma can vary. So think of Atma being the nucleus and karma as the electrons orbiting around the nucleus, with stronger karmas in closer orbits compared to the weaker karmas.

Each Karma upon maturity, comes to fruition based on the intensity and duration that it was bound to the Soul. In order to bear Karma's the soul has to manifest itself into a physical form. The physical form is determined based on the nature of Karmas. So, the soul manifests itself as the Mind and enters the physical body. So, in case of humans, Some Karma manifest to form the physical body and the Soul with a cloud of Karma particles will manifest as the Consciousness. The consciousness also referred as Mann (Mind) comprises of the Chith (Mind), Mann (Brain), Buddhi (Intelligence) and Ahankar (Ego). In short, Consciousness = Impure Soul = Pure Soul + Karma Pudgals. For instance, white light is made up 7 different colors that appear as one color, white. This is analogus to Impure Atma or Soul that has manifested as Consciousness. However the true nature of the white light, is to exist individually as the seven different wavelengths (VIBGYOR), so when it falls on a prism, it is split into seven different colors, the true form. Similarly, when all our karmas are shed, the Consciousness reverts back to its orginal state the pure Atma, hence Consciousness (Only the  Jeev component, does not include Brain, Ego and Intelligence) emerges in the Pure State, Shudh Atma. Therefore when we say Atma is Karta or Atma is Bhogta, it is the Consciousness that is Karta and Bhogta or the Atma with Karma Pudgals in other words.

So how do we distinguish between the actvities/functions of Mann, Chit, Buddhi and Ahankar?  We leave this for another day.

References:-
Achrang Sutra, Doctrines of Karma (Concepts of Pudgal, prades, skandh, karma vargana, karma sharir, Asrav and Bandh)