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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
INI
reader himself. Moreover, while reading, many doubts are likely to arise and these doubts remain undispelled without the help of the preceptor. Therefore, we say that an ideal preceptor can only impart genuine knowledge. Eleven learned Brahmins like Indrabhooti and Gautama, etc., were the masters of many books and they were also adept in discussing matters contained in the books. But, certain doubts could not be cleared by themselves and therefore, they could not acquire self-knowledge or knowledge about soul. But later on when they approached and resorted to Lord Mahavira, the Ideal Preceptor; all their doubts were dispelled and they acquired genuine self-knowledge.
PRECEPTOR, THE ILLUMINATOR
Preceptor can be rightly called Illuminator who dispels darkness from your heart in the form of wrong notions, and further reveals the right path. Moreover, the preceptor serves the purpose of a guide when the path is beset with difficulties and obstacles. He leads you safe to your destination. Just as a piece of iron turns into gold with the touch of ‘pārasa' jewel an atheist also tranforms himself into a theist by the contact of an ideal preceptor. Such preceptor leads the man to the path of self-restraint with cultivation of aversion for worldly affairs.
Rohaniva's father was a habitual thief and he advised his son never to approach Lord Mahavira and even if worse came to worst not to listen to the Lord's preachings. He knew fully well the power of Lord Mahavira. He knew if Rohaniya approached Lord Mahavira and listened to his preachings he would certainly abandon the practice of stealing and would even turn himself into a monk leaving the worldly routine.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF CHILDREN APPROACHED A PRECEPTOR ?
Formerly about two thousand and five hundred years back the thieves used to say so, but now-a-days the respectable gentlemen and merchants also say so. They fear if their children approach the Guru then they might resort to the path of religion—they might become a monk. Therefore, they allow them to contract intimacy with boys of no culture and no good character. They are allowed to wander and they rejoice in groups. The modern education
