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Acārya Pujyapāda goes on to explain:
परः परस्ततो दुःखमात्मैवात्मा ततः सुखम् ।
अत एव महात्मानस्तन्निमित्तं कृतोद्यमाः ।।45।।
Preface
An alien object is always alien and is the cause of suffering; the soul is always own and is the cause of happiness. All great sages, therefore, have exerted themselves only for the sake of the soul.
Acārya Vidyānanda has established himself firmly in own nature. Engaged incessantly in Self-realization, he has no time or inclination to interact with the external environment. External objects generally remain unnoticed by him as he pays no attention to these. His interaction with the people is minimal and without passions. For the few people he has to interact with occasionally, he engenders no lasting emotions of attachment or aversion.
A Yogi of few words, he chooses words that are sweet, positive and helpful. As soon as his interaction with the outside world is over, he presents himself again to the service of the pure Self.
I repeatedly salute Acārya Vidyānanda, the light to guide me on the path that leads to true happiness, here and hereafter, by prostrating in front of him with great devotion.
I meditate on his virtues in order to wash away impurities - attachment, aversion and delusion - of my wavering mind, and to reach that stage of spiritual excellence where the faults and obstructions associated with my soul are destroyed.
November 2015 Dehradun, India
Vijay K. Jain
References:
1. डॉ. पन्नालाल जैन (2004), आचार्य जिनसेन विरचित आदिपुराण (प्रथम भाग ), दसवाँ संस्करण, भारतीय ज्ञानपीठ, नई दिल्ली- 110003, पर्व 1, गाथा 43 44, पृष्ठ 10.
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