Atma Bal is also the basis of life, ananda
Atma bal is defined as the strength of the soul or spiritual strength. It is also called inner strength or soul power. Atma or soul is alive; it is not a dead matter like a stone. Rather it is full of energy. As long as the soul is in a material body, it remains alive. The motive force for the body comes from the soul only.
Atma bal is extremely vital for us. We really cannot do without it as long as we are alive. Let me begin with doing duties. These we know are according to time, place and circumstances. Surely, there will be difficulties, bodily discomforts, etc., in accomplishing them. That is the reason why atma bal is required in plenty. Even children have to do their duties, which is mostly to learn. Fortunately, all of us souls, irrespective of whether one is a child or an adult, have atma bal; it is intrinsic to us.
Yes, the quantum will vary, because it is in direct proportion to our efforts to deserve it. Atma bal comes from previous births. It increases if we associate it with ‘sattva guna’ (the mode of goodness), which is essentially to be good in all aspects of life. The lower modes of passion and darkness suppress it, especially ‘tamo guna’. The premier source of atma bal is God; He is much pleased if we are trying to be good. He is still more pleased if we follow ‘dharma’ – very dear to God. Then, our atma bal goes up. We can experience it because our ‘mano bal’ becomes better. By the way mano bal or mental health is closest to atma bal.
When Arjuna was succumbing to cowardice, Lord Krishna chastised him by strong words, “This is not proper for you. O Arjuna, get up by giving up petty faint-heartedness.” (The Bhagavad-Geeta #2.3) After that, Arjuna became willing to do his duty of fighting a just war to uphold dharma. He said, “O Krishna, my delusion has been dispelled by Your mercy; my memory has been restored. I am free from doubt, I am composed, and I will follow Your instructions now.” (18.73) He had gained sufficient atma bal from Lord; he had become sufficiently charged with atma bal.
The same is true regarding gaining inspiration to do what we must. If we remain in the shelter of God, we won’t lack atma bal and will be able to motivate ourselves in the right direction.
I strongly desire that my descendants should continue nicely now and after I am gone. How can I help them in achieving this noble goal? Only God can ensure it as He is presently helping me to live well. To help my descendants, I must inspire them by my personal example, by giving them good sanskars in order that they also become inclined to take shelter of God.
As we get older, we are supposed to resist temptations, yes of maya. How else to do it except by having a lot of atma bal. We must have lots and lots of atma bal to exist well. God is the premier source but if we embrace the mode of goodness that will help also, as does serving others. Believe it or not, real success comes only from strong atma bal, which is also the basis of ananda; it brings out our intrinsic quality of ananda – the real sukha.
(The author is a spiritual teacher)
