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## Icchayog (13)
The predominance of desire is called "Icchayog". A man with Icchayog is a scholar and a Samyagjnani, but despite that, due to Vikatha (delusion) and other distractions, his Dharmavyapar (religious practice) is incomplete and flawed.
Here are the main characteristics of a man with Icchayog:
1. **Desire to practice Dharma:** Firstly, he must have a true, genuine, selfless, innocent, and disinterested desire to practice Dharma. Just as in worldly affairs, any action begins with a desire, similarly, in the pursuit of liberation, the first step is to cultivate a true desire to practice Dharma. This deep desire, intense interest, love, devotion, and noble attachment are essential for genuine interest in Dharma. Without them, Dharma practice becomes a dry, mechanical, and lifeless activity like "plastering on mud". It lacks the joy and satisfaction. Just as the sweetness of a pond filled with nectar is only experienced by the thirsty, the true sweetness of Dharma is only experienced by those who are truly hungry for it. Therefore, a genuine desire, longing, and attraction for Dharma are essential. This is the first requirement for a true seeker.
2. **Kritarth-Shrutajnani:** He is a knower of the scriptures and has achieved his goal.
3. **Samyagjnani and Samyagrusti:** He is a perfect knower and has attained perfect faith.
4. **Vikalpa due to distractions:** Despite all this, he still experiences distractions and delusions.
**Desire to practice Dharma:** The first requirement is that the seeker must have a true, genuine, selfless, innocent, and disinterested desire to practice Dharma. Just as in worldly affairs, any action begins with a desire, similarly, in the pursuit of liberation, the first step is to cultivate a true desire to practice Dharma. This deep desire, intense interest, love, devotion, and noble attachment are essential for genuine interest in Dharma. Without them, Dharma practice becomes a dry, mechanical, and lifeless activity like "plastering on mud". It lacks the joy and satisfaction. Just as the sweetness of a pond filled with nectar is only experienced by the thirsty, the true sweetness of Dharma is only experienced by those who are truly hungry for it. Therefore, a genuine desire, longing, and attraction for Dharma are essential. This is the first requirement for a true seeker.
What is the desire of a true seeker? "Their desire is for the pure, original Atmapad (Self-realization) and the pure Dharma and liberation. A seeker does not have any other desire. Their only goal is the Self. They have no other mental desires. The seeker desires the infinite bliss of the original, pure Atmapad, the true form of the Jina." "Their desire is for the Self, not for anything else."
"My dear friend, I urge you to cultivate a desire to become a seeker. Make the thirsty thirsty. Arouse the curiosity of the non-thirsty to become thirsty." - Shrimad Rajchandraji