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I am the Soul
155 through the tests of tolerance - forgiveness - equanimity - magnanimity - generosity and such virtues, we too begin to sound quite different. We will be able to satisfy the Guru, give him happiness at whose feet we will be offering ourselves after we remove our attention from material goals to the goal of the Self. After that, all scriptures that we read are bound to give us a better perception.
When there is no occasion to find a Sadguru, a worthy jiva must read scriptures that prove the existence of Atma etc. After this direction, Srimadji tells us what is to be done next -
अथवा सद्गुरुए कह्यां, जे अवगाहन काज,
a à fra faarai, ai hai .....88 Having lived in the company of the Sadguru, having personally received his advice several times, if there is an occasion where you cannot continue to be with him, your selfstudy has to continue always. Otherwise, the attractions of the worldly things are so strong that they succeed in drawing the jiva towards them. Hence, study those scriptures which the Sadguru has indicated and in a way he has told. Meditate upon only those scriptures which contain the essence of knowledge and offer the keys to stabilise the jiva in the Self. Books that attract the mind towards them, which excite the passions of the senses have been forbidden forever.
The word ‘avagahan' (34'1167) - diving deep - has also been used here apurpose. You may only read five lines a day, but try to delve deep in them to unravel the mysteries they hold. And the same lines have to be read over and over again. If you read once and proclaim that you have read a lot, it has no value.
Once a person with all vices approached a Sadhu and said, “Maharaj! I have read an entire library, that contains 3,500 books! Tell me, can somebody read all so many?”
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