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Chapter 1: Background
જે સદ્ગુરુ ઉપદેશથી, પામ્યો કેવળજ્ઞાન; ગુરુ રહ્યા છદ્મસ્થ પણ, વિનય કરે ભગવાન.
Je Sadguru Upadeshthi, Pämyo Kevaljnän; Guru Rahyä Chhadmastha Pan, Vinay Kare Bhagawän.
॥૧૯॥
One who attains omniscience from the teachings of a right Guru, reveres him, even though the Guru might not have attained omniscience.
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Explanation & Discussion:
It would have been clear from the discussion so far that help from a true Guru is of utmost importance in spiritual pursuit. Its importance cannot be overemphasized. This stanza states that the teaching of a Guru can lead the pupil even to omniscience. Therefore, one obviously gives respect to the true Guru. Such respect implies modesty on the part of the pupil. Modesty is a great virtue and helps tremendously in learning what the preceptor indicates. Thereby one can rapidly rise on the path of liberation. It is also possible that one becomes omniscient, even before the Guru attains it.
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The term used here for such a Guru is Chhadmastha. Chhadma denotes the cover or the mask that conceals. As such, Chhadmastha indicates the state of concealment. Here, it relates
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