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Chapter 1: Background
impurities. This can happen only with the radical change in the belief. If one understands the true nature of self, his inclination for worldly objects will begin to vanish. He realizes that the external objects of any kind cannot give him lasting peace and happiness. In that case the external renouncement and detachment will be in harmony with his true belief. That is the only way to attain enlightenment.
Enlightenment abides within the soul. However, that inherent capability remains obscured, because the worldly soul is under the influence of Karma. It is therefore necessary to eradicate bondage of Karma. Such eradication process is known as Nirjarä. In that connection the Tattvärtha Sutra (IX-3) states: "Tapasä Nirjarä Cha". This means that the eradication of Karma can be achieved by austerities. Many people therefore resort to austerities and restraints in order to shake off bondage of Karma. Most of them, however, forget that so long as there is any inclination for the worldly pleasures, enlightenment cannot arise. Thus Nirjarä takes place only if austerities and restraints are accompanied by overcoming of desires for worldly objects. Hence it is absolutely necessary that the spiritual aspirant develops the true sense ofrenouncement and detachment.
It should be remembered that the renouncement and detachment are the means, and not the ends, of spiritual pursuit. They are the prerequisites for progress on the spiritual path. After those prerequisites, one needs to go ahead in the pursuit of enlightenment. Some people might feel gratified with the sense of external renouncement, develop detachment, and then they stop at that level. This stanza warns that if they do not move forward, they would not gain enlightenment and miss the real objective of spiritual pursuit.
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