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I am the Soul
607 well-being of the self and all others prevails in the jiva's feelings knowingly or unknowingly. Even when an enemy comes attacking with the intent to kill, the self holds so much peace and equanimity that aggression does not rise even in a single pore. The attacking enemy loses steam altogether. Such situations have been heard of in the lives of many sages, and not once have any of them developed animosity.
Guru Nanak was travelling with his disciples, when suddenly one of his opponents came and began abusing him. Guru Nanak was equanimous, peaceful, not offering any confrontation at all. There was no feeling of reaction arising in the mind. The accompanying disciples were surprised. Gurudev, say something! Stop him! Retaliate! But Guru Nanak was unperturbed, and with a smiling face blessed that stranger. This is svadaya, antardaya, bhavadaya. A stream of compassion towards other jivas flows from the self of the jiva in whom svadaya has become the fabric, and that is when this jiva can progress on the path to moksa.
Well, the virtues expressed in the gatha are the qualifications of a jiva for eligibility on the path of moksa. If we want to know whether we are eligible to pursue moksa or not, then this is the measure. We have to measure up to it. The self can be adjudged through this gatha and we will know. A sadhaka with this ability can rapidly attain spiritual progress. How this is done will be the subject for a later chapter.
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