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314
I am the Soul
Only in the pages before these, we have seen the particular characteristics of an atmarthi. Only the jiva with these characteristics - subjugation of passions, demolition of all desires other than that of Moksa, a deep detachment from the material world, and an inside filled with compassion - becomes eligible to understand Dharma. The same matter is continued -
दशा न एवी ज्यां सुधी, जीव लहे नहि जोग,
421911 TA, 42 7 Bin T.....38
The state described above getting woven into the natural disposition can be termed as eligibility. Dharma itself is very natural. Where there is artificiality, Dharma does not touch at all. In a flower made of paper, there can be appearance, color and form but there cannot be the characteristics of a flower. It may be a flower made out of the best paper and it may be costly too, yet there cannot be the characteristics of a flower in them. But a real flower, even if it has grown in the wilderness, even if it has grown on its own without anybody looking after it, always has its natural characteristics. Brothers! Dharma is the natural disposition of the atma. Dharma can be understood only when the eligibility required in the soul to achieve this natural disposition, appears and takes the natural effect. Dharma is the state of natural true disposition of the Atma.
The sad thing about us is that the affected disposition takes shape in us very easily. There is no effort required for that. Effortlessly those effects keep appearing. Why! Even if not outwardly visible, the feelings of attachment and aversion keep arising inside. It does not take a concerted effort of an hour for either attachment or aversion to appear. But samata - equanimity does not arise even after performing Samayiks not just once but many times in a day. Victory over senses eludes even after much penance and renunciation. Not even a particle of veetaragta - state of being bereft of passions - appears even after swadhyaya and bhakti. It takes a tremendous effort over many births to
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