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Chapter 1: Background
confers a position of honor and they cherish it.
"From a peculiar consideration, the scriptures have laid down the parity of pity, charity, violence, and worship. Without understanding its implications, the bare knowledgeable person makes use of such words merely for being considered knowledgeable. He does not know how such words are to be utilized for gaining the ultimate benefit. As the scriptures have laid down the futility of pity, etc. so have they laid down the futility of learning up to the nine Purva. That signifies the negation of barren knowledge. The bare knowledgeable person, however, does not look at it on account of his ego and the craze for being considered the knowledgeable. That does not give him scope for the right thinking.
"The lifeless ritualists and bare knowledgeable persons, both have been on the wrong track. Their claim to have gained the right path clearly shows their vain persistence. If they had taken refuge at the feet of a true Guru, they would have been induced towards the means for self-realization, whereby they could be treading the right path."
Prior to getting access to a true Guru, the spiritual aspirant might have undertaken different activities as per his understanding. He might have resorted to various gurus and adopted their views. However, all such exercises have not been helpful in realizing the self, because they were undertaken in absence of the guidance form a true Guru.
Here, Shrimad says that whatever the worldly soul has gained so far, has been acquired from the mundane perspective, not from the enlightened one. If he now comes in contact with an enlightened Guru, he must be prepared to leave all other gurus and to give up all his notions and beliefs. He should be ready to adopt the shelter of the true Guru and undertake whatever he commands. Since the true Guru has already walked on the path and knows the obstacles to be faced, he can guide the disciple suitably. He knows the shortcomings of the disciple and can therefore instruct him about right scriptural study and proper
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