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Chapter 18: Conclusion
236
Explanation & Discussion:
What was implicitly said in the previous stanza is explicitly presented in this stanza. There are mainly two ways of looking at anything. One is the absolute (real) viewpoint, which is known as Nishchay Nay. The other is the practical (worldly) one, which is known as Vyavahär Nay. Both of them are equally important. The absolute viewpoint, without the practical one, would lead to illusion. It can generate fantasy and keep one selfcomplacent. There is thus a danger of spiritually falling downward by relying upon it exclusively.
Similarly, resorting exclusively to the practical viewpoint is also fraught with danger. That can lead to a wild thicket of rituality. One is tempted to think that lifeless worship, observance of restraints and austerities, etc. would result in the eradication of Karma. Thereby, he expects to achieve the favorable situation. He is led to believe that the increasing level of such observances would lead to an ever-increasing eradication of Karma, and thereby can attain the Karmaless state.
Such one-sided views are not helpful in spiritual pursuit. One should remember that nothing can be achieved by mere knowledge or by mere bodily activities. No activity, in the absence of soul-orientation, can do any lasting good; nor does pure concept accomplish anything in the 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. That is Syädväd. Resorting to any one of them, exclusive of the other, amounts to Ekänt, which should be avoided. This Ätmasiddhi Shästra has been composed while simultaneously keeping in mind both these views.
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