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Appendix 3
आत्म कीर्तन
The Psalm of the Soul
By Manoharlal (Sahjanand) Varri (Translation and Commentary by Mahesh Chand)
In this hymn, Manoharlal Varniji addresses his own soul rather than an External Infinite Power or God. He sings the former's praises, and establishes the similarity of the Self's natural characteristics with the Supreme Being. Not recognising any outside Force as the maker of the world, the Bestower of pleasure and pain, etc., he invokes neither His mercy or generosity nor entertains a hope or wish. But on the contrary, taking the very existence of all emotions, passions, prejudices, and cravings to be the cause of misery and sufferings and eradicating them from his Soul, he wants to meditate and repose himself in the true nature of his Self.
हूँ स्वतंत्र निश्चल निष्काम। ज्ञाता द्रष्टा आत्म राम ।।टेक।।
hoon suntantra rushchal mishkam jnata drashta A tam Ram!
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