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## Liberation of the Soul: The Disease of Samsara
(629) He who has forgotten his own nature, wanders aimlessly, driven by madness. His entire body is consumed by unbearable torment. A sharp, piercing pain pierces his heart. He is tormented by various kinds of ailments, overwhelmed by suffering. If such a soul, afflicted by this great disease, receives the guidance of a supreme physician, and is given the best medicine, administered according to the prescribed method, then the disease will be eradicated. The fever will subside, the three poisons (tri-dosha) and the deadly disease (sannipat) will vanish. He will regain his true self-awareness, his torment will cease, the pain in his heart will disappear. He will then be completely free from disease, restored to perfect health, strong and vigorous, and experience the fullness of well-being. And this healthy, "swastha" man, freed from disease, experiences an indescribable joy, a taste of bliss.
In the same way, this soul has been afflicted by the great disease of samsara since time immemorial. He has been tormented by this difficult-to-cure ailment for countless eons. He cries out in pain, "Oh, please grant me liberation!" A raging fever of attachment (raga) has consumed his knowledge-body, and the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion (tri-dosha) have afflicted him. He has lost his true self-awareness and wanders in a state of delusion, engaging in senseless activities. His entire body is consumed by unbearable torment, a burning sensation arising from his craving for worldly pleasures. A sharp, piercing pain of hatred (dvesha) pierces his heart. When such a soul, afflicted by this intense disease, encounters the supreme physician, the Shrimad Sadguru, he receives the three-fold medicine of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (samyak darshan, samyak jnana, samyak charitra) through the Guru's teachings. By diligently practicing these three jewels (ratna-trayi) as prescribed by the Guru, he gradually eradicates his disease. The fever of attachment subsides, the pain of hatred disappears, the deadly disease of delusion (sannipat) is vanquished, he regains his self-awareness, and the torment arising from his craving for worldly pleasures is extinguished. He then sees his true self, attains knowledge, and follows his true nature. He knows the pure soul, the self, and dwells in the state of pure knowledge. He becomes "swastha" and experiences the state of liberation (kevalya). Then, until the end of his physical life, he gradually eliminates the remaining four karmas, which are like the remnants of a burnt-out wick, according to his prarabdha karma. He completely exhausts these karmas. Thus, completely free from karma, he is liberated from the cycle of samsara. And this soul, freed from the disease of samsara, possessing perfect spiritual health, dwelling in his true self, this supreme "swastha" man, experiences an indescribable joy, a state of perfect bliss.