Atmasiddhi

Author(s): Shrimad Rajchandra, Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 132

level of such observances would lead to an ever-increasing eradication of Karma, and thereby one can attain the Karmaless state.
Both these views are one-sided and they are not helpful in spiritual pursuit. One should remember that nothing can be achieved by mere knowledge or by mere physical activity. No activity, in absence of soulorientation, can do any lasting good; nor does pure concept accomplish anything in absence of right practice. While it is necessary to know about the absolute state, it is also necessary to resort to the means for manifesting that state. One therefore needs to resort to both the viewpoints together. Resorting to any one of them, exclusive of the other, amounts to Ekänt that needs to be avoided. This Ätmasiddhi Shästra has been composed while simultaneously keeping in mind both these views.
Gachchhamatni Je Kalpanä, Te Nahi Sadvyavahär; Bhän Nahi Nij Roopanun, Te Nishchay Nahi Sär.
The concepts based on sect or creed do not constitute the right practice; the view unrelated to the nature of Self does not lead to absolute truth. (133)
Explanation & Discussion:
There are different religions, and there are various sects & subsects in the same religion. People belonging to every religion and to the sects or sub-sects thereof insist that what they believe is right. It amounts to believing that truth would differ from religion to religion and creed to creed. Truth is, however, one and indivisible. Therefore it is said that all the enlightened persons have the same belief and they hold the same opinion. Hence what an enlightened person says should be accepted as truth, or that which accords with the nature of soul and leads to the path of liberation should be adopted as truth.
This may be acceptable in principle. But differences arise when it comes to the question of practice. Many sects and sub-sects arose by way of revolt against the established order. The people at the helm turned towards misusing their authority. The saintly people, who resented such misuse, therefore raised the flag of revolt and set up new standards of conduct. Unfortunately, the spirit behind those standards was lost with the passage of time. The lay followers, however, continued to stick to those standards without making out the implications thereof. That gave rise to the lifeless rituals prevalent within different sects and sub-sects. They are mechanically resorted to in the name of Vyavahär.