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Friend's View: Devotion to the Worthy, Beginning with the Acharya
“The knowledge of time is mine, the knowledge of feelings is yours;
Even a young elephant, though it is weak, roars with the strong elephant.” - Shri Yashovijayji
And this is not just the seed of devotion, therefore it is said to cultivate something else -
“Even in the Acharyas and others, those who are pure in their feelings,
Especially in the case of Vyayavratya, with pure intention.” 26.
(127)
Meaning: Even towards the Acharyas and others who are pure in their feelings, this same pure mind, etc., is the seed of devotion. Similarly, with a pure intention, Vyayavratya (service) towards them, according to the rules, is the seed of devotion.
Commentary:
“Service with feeling” - Shri Chag. 40
Even towards the feeling-Acharya, feeling-Upadhyaya, feeling-Sadhu, feeling-Tapasvi, etc., this pure mind, etc., which is full of auspicious feelings, devotional feelings, is the seed of devotion. Here, special emphasis is placed on the word “feeling”. Those whose souls have been filled with devotion through feeling - through the ultimate goal, who are true self-knowers, who are true gurus, who have the qualities of devotion, as taught by the scriptures, in the Acharyas and others, are the ones who deserve to be worshipped - not those who merely wear the outward form.
Even towards the Acharyas and others, towards the Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Tapasvis, etc., this same pure mind, etc., is the seed of devotion. What kind of special (with special qualities) Acharyas and others are they towards? They are towards those who are pure in their feelings - not towards those who are of low birth. Because even in the form of a foot, there is a definite ugliness of the unrefined mind. Therefore, (it is not right to respect the ugly).
This is not just the seed of devotion, then what is it? - Vyayavratya. And Vyayavratya, the feeling of Vyayavratya, which is its characteristic, - Vyayavratya (service), - by doing things like taking food, etc., according to the rules - according to the rules mentioned in the scriptures - with respect to the person, etc., is the seed of devotion. It is said:
“Towards the feeling-Acharya, etc.,
Devotion
“The person, knowing his own benefit and the benefit of his soul, should serve him, remaining without any hope of reward.” - etc.
Therefore, it is said - “with pure intention” - with a pure mind, with a pure intention.