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Ätmasiddhi
adequate spiritual background, can depend on the right books when a true Guru is not available. The spiritual books, which deal with the existence of soul and related matters would be useful to such deserving aspirants.
It should be noted that these scriptures cannot take the place of an enlightened Guru. However, the spiritual aspirant can continue his progress by resorting to such scriptures in the absence of the true Guru. Then he will remain vigilant and become more qualified to receive the directions from a live Guru, and that will lead to self-realization.
A word of caution is needed here. There are a number of books that purport to deal with the soul and spiritual aspects. Many of them are not written with right perspective and therefore cannot be relied upon. Only those, which have been written by the reliable spiritual authorities, can be depended upon. The persons, who can thus be relied upon, are called Äpta. That term denotes the persons who have no interest other than the well being of the soul. Such persons are self-realized. Only the books written by such authentic persons should be relied upon in the absence of a true Guru.
અથવા સદ્ગુરુએ કહ્યાં, જે અવગાહન કાજ; તે તે નિત્ય વિચારવાં, કરી મતાંતર ત્યાજ.
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Athavä Sadgurue Kahyän, Je Avagähan Käj; Te Te Nitya Vichärvän, Kari Matäntar Tyäj.
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