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development up to that point, they would not be doing any rituals (kriyakand) and all that, and the intellect (buddhi) would not grow. The internal turmoil and suffering (badapo) continues to grow, after the intellect has increased. And it is after the internal suffering has increased, that one begins to need final liberation (moksha).
As a person's intellect (buddhi) grows, his inner suffering (badapo), as a counterweight, just continues to increase. Yes, so the Vedanta and all that is a means to increase one's intellect. Alas, they keep on developing the intellect. And as the intellect grows, the inner turmoil arises. That is when they say, 'Now where will I go?' And the answer would be: 'Go to the one who is devoid of attachment and abhorrence – the Vitarag!' Besides, the Lord accepts them both. One can attain the right enlightened belief (samkit), from both paths: the path of Vedanta, and the path of Jainism. In both the paths, one can remain on one's individual path, while attaining enlightenment (samkit).
The Atma's Bondage Questioner: So then, is the Atma itself independent (swatantra) and free (mukta); is it eternally blissful (sat chit anand)?
Dadashri: It is not independent (swatantra). I am asking you, who told you that the Atma is independent?
Questioner: The scriptures (shastras) say that the Atma is independent
Dadashri: No, its nature is sat chit anand swaroop (established in the blissful awareness of the eternal, the Self), but it is not independent (swatantra), which is why they are in such a predicament. If it were independent, it would have instant freedom (mukti)! How long would that take? It is bound in such a way, that say if it was bound with a thick, heavy iron chain, you would be able to cut the chain, with a “gas cutting” (cutting
