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VI
Adhyatma Geetä and Atmopanishad
by beginners, scholars, Jains and non-Jains alike. For each stanza, he has provided original stanza in Gujarati, followed by English transliteration, English translation and his commentary in terms of explanation & discussion. English translation in verse by Pujya Brahmachäriji is included in Appendix-I for reference and reverence. The Letter of Six Fundamentals in prose, the original basis of this Ätmasiddhi Shästra, is included in Appendix-II. Shri Manubhai has translated it in English. This way he caters to the needs of most readers. Since Manubhai has studied other Darshans (theological schools), he has been able to bring out the deeper meaning and relate it properly. I am sure, it will go a long way in spreading the teachings of Jainism; by Lord Mahavir and his dedicated disciple Shrimad Räjchandraji.
There are six major theological schools in Indian Aryan culture. Each is right in its own way and has something good to offer. Although there is partial truth in each, none is complete. Jainism has synergistically integrated all of them with due respect. The Six Fundamental tenets deal with these six schools and Ätmasiddhi Shästra is representative of the same. In pointing out only partial truth in each school, no denigration or disrespect is intended. The purpose is simply to state impartially that Jainism, and Ätmasiddhi in particular, includes and integrates all the six tenets appropriately. Manubhai has treated this issue very well in stanza 44 and elsewhere.
In everyday worldly dealings, repetition is considered unnecessary, improper and often an insult to intelligence. However, in spiritual realm repetition is considered necessary and a virtue. This is due to the fact that worldly souls are used to worldly matters since time immemorial and for them there is no need to repeat anything. For this reason, in schools and colleges subject matter is straightforward without any repetition. But in spiritual matters the worldly souls are strangers and without aptitude for it. Realizing this, Manubhai has adopted the tradition of some repetition in his English translation and commentary without undue elaboration. The thoughtful readers, especially the
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