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Atma-Siddhi
189
naturally in own pure orientation and consciousness soul does and enjoys karmas, but stays unaffected by their delusional impact. This freedom from delusion comes through selfpurification.
Gratefulness of Disciple
(Verses 124-127) After receiving the teachings, the disciple in these verses expresses great pleasure and satisfaction and says to the true teacher that he is the ocean of kindness and has done a great good to him. He feels obliged and says that in return for his teachings he does not have anything to offer, because everything is lesser than soul knowledge that the true teacher has given him. He promises that from hereon he will live under the true teacher's protection and will engage his body, mind and speech in his service as his very humble servant. The disciple further says that by explaining the six Padas (spiritual steps), the true teacher has shown him that soul and body are separate, just as sword and its sheath are separate. The imparting of this knowledge has been immeasurable favor to him.
Summary Conclusions
(Verses 128-141) These verses offer summary conclusions of the work and indicate that if one would analytically ponder in detail one can see beyond doubt that the six systems of philosophy37 are included in the six Padas (spiritual steps) described here.38 One needs to understand that there is no disease like the delusion of soul, no doctor like the true teacher, no prescription like true teacher's dictates, and no medicine like soul contemplation. If one desires liberation, one must put in the effort and not waste soul energies in dealing with worldly circumstances. After hearing about the means of soulliberation, one should not let up on these means. Safeguarding the liberation goal, one must pursue it with all available means.
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