________________
Ätmasiddhi
Giving up his own view point, if one
serves at the feet of the true Guru, he would understand the real truth and
proceed towards self-realization.
Explanation & Discussion:
The primary objective of spiritual pursuit is to get on the path of liberation. The nature of the soul is the ultimate truth and the way it can be realized is Paramärth. The main obstacle in realizing it is that one may either feel satisfied by indulging in the lifeless rituals or may be stuck with bare knowledge. The reason for adhering to such a one-sided approach is that the aspirant has not sought the shelter of a true Guru. While explaining this stanza at length (Vachanämrut #718), Shrimad has emphasized the vital importance of a true Guru in spiritual pursuit as below.
"The way to overcome lifeless rituality and the bare knowledgeable state is to give up one's own views and to rest at the feet of a true Guru. The lifeless ritualists have taken recourse to the wrong gurus, who do not have self-realization and do not know the right way. They know the path of rituals and physical hardships to which they attract people and get them attached to the family tradition. Thereby such people cease to have the inclination to come in contact with a true Guru. If they happen to come in such contact, they are not receptive to true teaching on account of their rigid sectarian approach.
"The bare knowledgeable persons also have not taken the shelter of a true Guru. They have read the spiritual books according to their own fancy and consider themselves knowledgeable by that, or by listening to the bare knowledgeable people. Being considered as knowledgeable
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
