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Chapter 2: Characteristics of Sectarians
Explanation & Discussion:
After describing the sectarian approach arising from the wrong perception of a guru, this stanza lays down the one arising from misconception of the Lord. Such a person has faith in the omniscient Lords, but he misunderstands their true image. The Lords have attained perfect purity. The soul has infinite capabilities and the omniscient Lords have fully manifested the same. As such, they are endowed with many accomplishments. Even the heavenly beings take pride in serving them. The Lords also have marvelous bodies. Most people are amazed to know about the magnificent physique, and the pomp & splendor associated with their assemblies & movement. When they read that the Lords' assemblies are organized by celestial beings, splendidly decorated in jewels and diamonds with golden lotuses placed wherever the Lords put their feet, they are awe struck and believe that those aspects constitute the main attributes of the Lords. Thus they overlook the internal attributes, which constitute the true image of the Lords.
Here the questions may arise, "What is the purpose of underestimating the above mentioned antecedents of the Lords? Moreover, their form, their voice, their aura, canopy over their head, Ashok tree, showering of heavenly flowers, etc. are adored even by the celestial beings. Why should such extraordinary aspects be considered of little significance or be treated as subservient to other attributes?"
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Those antecedents are, of course, extraordinary. But they are insignificant as compared to the inner majesty of the Lords. When the people remain in awe with only the external aspects, they cannot conceive of the Lords' inner state. They forget that the external aspects, however magnificent they may seem, are ephemeral and do not present the lasting image of the Lords. The external attributes are incidental to their inner achievements. They are by-products of the inner state. Inner majesty consists of absolute purity of the soul, which is blissful, immutable and everlasting. That is the real image of the Lords. But the sectarians do not look at that. They are impressed with
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