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345719. ] SPIRITUAL LIGHT. knot. Still the state of not knowing the comprehensible' persists and works as a bar to the acquisition of right conviction and right knowledge, notwithstanding he has advanced so far as to sacrifice his dear life for the sake of religion. When he subdues Karmic passions and worldly feelings, he becomes able to know what is knowable. All the sophistical and perverted reasonings then cease to impede the progress of the aspirant.
The perception is like the light of a lamp. In short, he makes a good progress on the path of Yoga in this stage which manifests on his entry in the fifth stage.
Sthira Stage.
When the aspirant advances and reaches the fifth stage, his perception is clear and continuous like the lustre of a jewel. In the preceding four stages, the knowledge he received was unsteady and superficial. In this stage true knowledge begins to dawn upon him on account of the Karmic knot being cut off, upon the attainment of the power of knowing the comprehensible ( Vedya-Samvedya-Pada ). His wavering beliefs, scepticism and doubts are removed. Upto this time he identified himself with the character assumed and acted his part accordingly, but now, with the withdrawal of senses from worldly objects, he becomes conscious of his true state of being and experiences a striking contrast between the inner Self and outward appearance. The senses
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