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attained the same accordingly. If one tries to figure out why he still continues to wander, he can make out that he has not given up self-indulgence. Had he given it up, he would have taken recourse to a true Guru, who would have put him on the right track. Giving up self-indulgence is therefore the main precept of the omniscient Lords. Those Lords are perfect and flawless, because they have got rid of all the drawbacks by eradicating the bondage of Karma and have become omniscient. As such, whatever they have stated is true and flawless.
Pratyaksha Sadguru Yogathi, Swachchhand Te Rokäy; Anya Upay Karya Thaki, Präye Bamano Thäy.
Self-indulgence can be overcome by direct contact with a true Guru; it would be mostly doubled by resorting to other means. (16)
Explanation & Discussion:
How can self-indulgence be removed? Of course, it cannot be done by one's own efforts. It is almost impossible to see own faults. The right way is to get in contact with a true Guru. If one happens to go astray, the Guru is there to bring him back on the right track. Thus he continues to get guidance as and when necessary. It leaves no scope for self-indulgence. The Guru knows where and when the pupil is likely to fall in the trap of self-indulgence and keeps him in check from falling therein.
The pupil also knows his weakness and will rely upon the guidance of the Guru. When one thus tends to rely on the enlightened person, his ego melts and his inclination towards self-indulgence goes on declining. The other way to overcome self-indulgence is to try on one's own. But such effort itself amounts to further selfindulgence! It would be an attempt to overcome self-indulgence with the help of selfindulgence. That can never succeed. On the contrary, it would result in higher level of self-indulgence. It is therefore said here that self-indulgence is likely to be doubled by resorting to other means.
self-indulgence would be an attempt on the contrary, it woe is likely to be de
Swachchhand, Mat Ägrah Taji, Varte Sadguru Laksha; Samakit Tene Bhäkhiyun, Käran Gani Pratyaksha.
Renouncing self-indulgence, personal viewpoints and persistence therein, if one acts as directed by a true Guru, that action is termed as right perception, being the obvious cause thereof. (17)
Explanation & Discussion:
Self-indulgence, holding one's own views, and sticking to the opinions formed thereon do not allow a person to seek right guidance. If one gives them up and seeks the shelter of a true Guru, the Guru would show him the path that the worldly soul has never come across. One would then proceed on that path and achieve self-realization. Thus resorting to the right shelter with an unbiased mind is the obvious cause of selfrealization. It can therefore be termed as right perception or Samakit.
In this connection, Shrimad has observed (Vachanamrut # 771): "It is not to be taken as a principle that all the monks, nuns, and lay followers of Lord Tirthankars knew about the sentient and insentient matters and hence endowed with right
