________________
Appendix I: Interpretation of Philosophical Concepts because such a teacher, and not the so called preacher, is one who knows and realizes what is soul and he is always in its "nature". He is very calm, passionless, a master of his senses and mind and an embodiment of religion itself.
In letter no. 198, Śrīmad says that an aspirant should follow a pious teacher who has realized the self or reality, so that one day he himself can accomplish that goal. In another letter he warns an aspirant that to meditate or preach without the order of a sadguru is nothing but a wave. It will disappear the next moment. He says that spiritual transformation (samyaktva) can take place only in association (satsanga) of a pious teacher, because he only can make us understand what is a right God and a right religion. He also says that we should equate soul with a sadguru, because it is his soul which is sadguru (as he has realized his soul ).
5) Niścaya and Vyavahara Naya (or Transcendental and Empirical view): Śrīmad is critical of those who are performing a good many rituals and observing penance etc. without remembering the very purpose of it, namely the realization of the soul. He is also critical of those who cling to the theory that soul is ever pure and not doer of any karma and therefore
285
