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I am the Soul
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From Gatha 24 to 33 Srimadji has highlighted the indications of a Matarthi, so that a Matarthi jiva may awaken. How can somebody who does not even know where he is, be told that it is essential to walk the good path? Having been told all this, a person whose future is determined, will certainly begin introspection to see 'where my attitudes, my beliefs are wrong? I am in a maze and it is most essential that I get out of it. Once he awakens, he will himself begin to abhor his own attitude and nature. Perhaps in the householder's state, he may be known as a Shravak or a Mumukshu or perhaps having abandoned the material world he has become a Sadhu but he may be on the wrong track, then to warn him to stop his blind run, it is essential to make him understand his situation, and once he understands he will not remain without repenting. It is for this reason that one such soul-seeking Acharya has sung -
ठगवा विभु आ विश्वने वैराग्यना रंगो धर्या, ने धर्मना उपदेश रंजन, लोकने करवा कर्या, विद्या भण्यो हुं वाद माटे, केटली कथनी कहुं,
साधु थईने बहारथी, दांभिक अंदरथी रहुं। When a wayward jiva attains the nature of understanding his own true form, then he will himself be unable to bear the way he is living, the way he is deceiving people at present. As a result he confesses before the Soul and the Supreme Soul. He begins to regret and then gradually turns to the right path.
It is only for the benefit of such jivas that Srimadji has told us the indications of Matarthi here.
Having told us these indications, he also tells us about all the virtues that an Atmarthi is made up of - the virtues that are instrumental in attaining the development of the soul, which are the means for attaining the infinite bliss and which are the greatest fortunes of a jiva.
So now, what the abilities of an Atmarthi are, what strong feelings are attached to his belief-faith, will be a topic that follows.
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