I am The Soul Part 01

SR No.: 006790
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Tarulatabai Mahasati
Publisher: Shri Gujarati Shwetambar Sthanakwasi Jain Association
Total Pages: 468
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 122

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I am the Soul
First of all a jiva has to absorb that total surrender to Truth is the highest radical happening in a life. There is no goal, greatness or effort higher than that. For such a total surrender, a firm, unmoving, unflinching determination is required in the face of the most unfavourable circumstances. Oh! If it comes to abandoning everything, you should have an unmoving selfconfidence that like the King Harishchcandra you too will not budge even a little from your resolve.
For, such a determined state alone is the foundation of spirituality. The height of the structure depends on the strength of the foundation. A weak foundation brings down a tall building like a house of cards.
On the path of spiritual effort too, the need for a strong foundation has been emphasised. A weak foundation will not let the spiritual effort progress well. Where then is the quest for siddhi - the state of accomplishment? There should be no hesitation. It has been said -
डगमगतो पग राख तुं, स्थिर मुज दूर नजर छो न जाय दूर मार्ग जोवा लोभ लागीर ना मारे एक डगलुं बस थाय,
Tah Sej Har.... On the hard surface of the spiritual path, just one step taken with a strong resolve can suffice. Such a step that will rest only with the accomplishment, with siddhi. A short vow or observance with a determined self can eventually lead to siddhi. Hence, determination first and progress follows.
Srimadji has said while explaining the sort of mind-frame and behaviour desirable in the effort to achieve self realisation -
वैराग्यादि सफळ तो, जो सह आतमज्ञान,
at JT 31144şilit, ufauti FGH .....
For some time now, we have been analysing the first two phrases of this gatha. The success of renunciation, detachment and the like is in the achievement of self realisation. Only when renunciation and detachment are accompanied by a realisation