Manushya (मनुष्य)
Manushya means a human being—a descendant of Manu—and the human form uniquely provides the freedom to perform fruit-bearing karma.
Manushya (मनुष्य | manuṣya) means a human being. All descendants of Manu are collectively called manushya.
Humans are also called manav (मानव | mānava), manuj (मनुज| manuja) and nar (नर | nara).
The human form is unique because it is a karma-yoni—a form in which the Jeev can perform new actions that bear fruit. All other life forms are bhog-yonis, in which the Jeev primarily experiences the fruits of actions performed in previous human lives.
Because the human form is a karma-yoni, a person can choose actions that lead in very different directions. The human form can become the means to attain Narak, Swarg, Mukti, Gyan, Vairagya, Bhakti, and ultimately God-realization.
This is what makes the human form extraordinarily precious. Even celestial beings, despite possessing far greater material pleasures, powers, beauty and knowledge, desire human birth because they do not have this opportunity in their celestial forms.
At the same time, human life is temporary and difficult to attain. Therefore, the opportunity available in the human form should not be wasted.
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JKP Literature
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