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Chapter 5
Pupil's First Doubt regarding Existence of the Soul
The questioning session starts from this chapter. Let us emphasize once again that the pupil is genuinely interested in seeking the truth. He is aware of the six Fundamentals, and seriously intends to undertake spiritual pursuit on that basis. But there are some doubts in his mind about the existence and nature of the soul and he wants to remove them. He knows that only an enlightened person can clarify the points that bother him. He therefore approaches an enlightened Guru and gently presents his doubts to him. His first doubt pertains to the existence of the soul. In this respect, Shrimad has said of (Appendix-II) the first Fundamental:
"As there is existence of physical objects like a pot, cloth, etc. so is there existence of the soul. As the properties of a pot, cloth etc. provide evidence of their existence, so the obvious property of consciousness, to manifest itself as well as others, is evidence of the existence of the soul."
Ätmasiddhi
The following are the questions that arise to the pupil in this connection.
નથી દૃષ્ટિમાં આવતો, નથી જણાતું રૂપ; બીજો પણ અનુભવ નહીં, તેથી ન જીવસ્વરૂપ.
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