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

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I am the Soul
Somebody may say, "where does one find a Sadguru in this age?" Where does one find a Soul-searching Guru in such difficult times? But if your karma is ready, if time is ripe for your disciplehood, then you will not remain without a Guru. Your karma is a prerequisite, whatever be the sort of Guru. Why! If in this age there are chhadmastha Gurus, in Tirthankars' age there used to be kevali Gurus. But they are only a means. If your karma is ready, Guru may even stray in towards you. Hence, make yourself competent; do not look for faults in the Guru, nor complain that you have not found a competent one. The day you qualify the Guru may drop in from the sky. But qualify first. Think, O Jiva! What is your qualification? Are you qualified enough to retain the precious gemlike Guru? It is akin to the Lioness' milk that can be stored only in a golden urn. In any other, it is bound to break the container and spill. If one has to acquire an invaluable gem-like Guru, one has to be qualified for it first.
If after finding such a great Sadguru, we are unable to manage, then our egoistic impunity keeps us from realising his real worth. Instead of finding progress in his refuge, our incompetence takes us on the path of downfall. Hence, first of all, acquire ability and then go in search of a Sadguru! Why eulogise the Sadguru so much? Srimadji says -
सद्गुरुना उपदेश वण, समजाय न जिनरूप, समज्या वण उपकार शो ? समज्ये जिनस्वरूप
१२
What the jiva needs to understand is the true form of Jina. For understanding the true form of Jina alone can help you understand the true form of Nija (the self). But this is possible only after accepting a Sadguru. You may pay heed to advice no doubt! But having heard it, if you place your faith, appreciation and interest in it, and then put it in to practice, only then can you understand the true form of Jina.
In the fifth Shramanasutra of the Pratikramana, it is said -
तं धम्मं सद्दाम