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I am the Soul
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When inspired by such people, there arises within, an intense interest, an intense eagerness and a strength of determination. The feeling of 'do or die' takes firm root. 'Come what may, difficulties, enticements, but I shall not turn back. I shall not deviate from the path' such unflinching faith alone can lead a jiva further.
The largest obstacle in the spiritual path is self-conceit. We have been describing self-conceit over the last few pages. That selfconceit can be overcome only when an unflinching and unshakeable faith is placed in the words of the Jineshwar, of the Satpurush.
Gunadhar Gautamswami asked a thousand questions to Lord Mahaveer. The Prabhu answered each one of them, and when Gautam got satisfied he would exclaim, तमेव सच्चं, तमेव सच्चं - You alone are the truth. Every time Gautam asked a question, he did so after he bowed before the Prabhu and saluted him. It is said in the scriptures that each time Gautam put a question, he first chanted the fregat - tikkhutto prayer and bowed before the Prabhu. How many times would he have saluted the Prabhu? Gautam would question with such humility. The Prabhu would answer. If Gautam did not understand, he would ask again and the Prabhu would explain again with the same feeling. And when Gautam would get satisfied, he would spontaneously exclaim, from the bottom of his heart - You alone are the truth.
Prabhu, you alone are the truth! These words of Gautam indicate that the Prabhu was residing in every pore of his. This is it! When such feeling, such faith, such unflinching belief arises, it is possible to be immersed in the Prabhu. Then where will the self-conceit stay?
Here I am reminded of a story from Mahabharata. Satyabhama always used to complain to Sri Krishna, “O Lord! Whenever I hear you, you seem to be chanting the name of Arjuna. What is so special in Arjuna? Why is he so close to
you?
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