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 68

10
I am the Soul Srimadji, thus offering humble obeisance at the feet of the great preceptor, at the beginning of 'Atmasiddhi Shastra', attempts to explain to us the nature of the soul as experienced by him.
Our spiritual preceptors, in the past, have identified specific periods for introspection and self-anlayses and for devoting ourselves to the search, identification and realisation of the soul. Today is the beginning of such a four-month period. Let us look critically within ourselves and analyse the self. Let us locate the sources of passions - the attachement, aversion, anger, jealousy, greed and avarice that lie buried deep within us and drive them away with the help of sincere repentance. Simultaneously, let us devote ourselves to acquiring the true knowledge, discerning faith, purity of conduct and compassion for all living beings; let us pursue penance, charity, chastity and noble thoughts. The ‘Dashavaikalika Sutra' says -
बलं थामं च पेहाए सद्धा मारुग्गमप्पणो ।
Without wasting your physical, mental and spiritual energies in pursuit of ego and egocentric desires, devote yourself to penance. This penance should leave an indelible impression of "I am the Soul', on your mind. In Srimadji's words -
रे आत्म तारो, आत्म तारो शीघ्र एने ओळखो
सर्वात्म मां समदृष्टि द्यो, आ वचन ने हृदये लखो।
This is the fundamental principle. If we realise it in its totality, then self-realisation is ours. The essence is to be imbibed as 'I am the Soul', not merely understood. Then -
जे एगं जाणई, ते सव्वं जाणई । That is, to know thyself is to know all. This alone should be the feeling, the devotion. Brothers! It will not be out of place, if I demand my Guru Dakshina (reward) on this first day itself. In the next four months, I want your devotion to be revolving around "I am the Soul'. At the end of the four-months, I would like to hear the chant of 'I am the Soul resonating from every pore of yours.