________________
FOREWORD
The blissful nature of the soul (Atman), which is realized by attaining perfect status of Godhood or Supreme Soul (Paramatman), is upadeya (desirable) from every aspect or point of view because it is radically different from pleasures derived from attachment to sensual or worldly objects. 114 The sensual pleasure is dependent on something else. It is short-lived. It is connected with detriment since it is attended by different longings, such as hunger, thirst, etc. It is interrupted by painful or discomforting emotions. It is the cause of bondage, the enslaving desires and passions; and it is unequal and utterly unsteady, since it evolves through increase and decrease.115 Thus, the happiness acquired by means of the senses is not at all comparable to the infinite and indestructible bliss of the natural state of the Self (surupa). In that state, the soul is relieved of all its burdens, limitations, and shortcomings; it is the soul in its pure essence and as such in the fullest possession of intuition, knowledge, strength, and joy.
The final condition of self-realization is one of equanimity and is characterized by the absence of desire, complete knowledge, and everlasting peace, and the recovery of the true nature of the soul. In other words, the Self regains the consciousness of its innate nature. It is the natural state of the Self or pure consciousness (sarupa), which is the common nature of all living beings, that is addressed in Surupa Sambodhana. Thus, the consciousness experiences itself, by itself, through itself, for itself, and in itself.
The concluding verse (Verse 26) states that whosoever contemplates on the true nature of the Self in the aforesaid way, repeats or listens with respect this exposition containing address (sambodhana) to the intrinsic nature or enlightened vision of the Self, attains the splendour and bliss of Paramatman, the unpolluted and the purest state of atman (soul), which is supersensuous, incomparable, infinite and indestructible.116
Jain Education International
61
Manoharlal (Sahajanand) Varni, a spiritual ascetic (adhyatma yogi), has composed a beautiful song, called "The Psalm of the Soul," highlighting the true nature of the Self, which is reproduced in original, i.e. in Hindi, in romanization, as well as in English rendering by Shri Mahesh Chand in both poetry and prose along with explanation in Appendix 3.
Starupa Sambodhana deals with who am I?, what is self?, what is
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
