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I am the Soul
Everyone has to attain a status if they want to become happy. But what status? Brothers! What would you say if I asked you? How honourable it would be to be at the helm of some big organisation, or to be a minister? And if you are not there, what a craving there would be to reach it! What intrigue! What dirty politics! Attaining this status, brings respect and honour. But I shall say, you attain nothing by reaching such status, you only lose. When you attain that status, you get honoured, you get a garland - har. Does this thought cross ever your mind - I am holding a losing account in life and this is yet another loss - har - defeat! The moment the ego bloats upon wearing the garland, that is one step downwards. And then to feed this ego there is the sequence of unending attachment and aversion. There the downfall is drastic. So now tell me, what will you call this status achieved - a step of progress or an indication of downfall? Brothers! This status drags the jiva into affected disposition. Hence, a craving for this status is not desirable. You all very well know, how great a loss a person greedy for status in political or social fields, is doing to his atma. In the name of service, he is only after worldly prestige! Look at his state, if that is not found. How terrible! Therefore, here in the Adhyatma Shastra, all these have been termed as affected disposition and suggested to be discarded. Remaining engrossed in affected disposition is to be avoided at all times. Such a jiva cannot attain atmartha.
Here the progress of the Atmarthi jiva is valued. He gains authority over the status of nirvana. Well, we have brought in authority here too. But this is the authority of the self over the Self. Not the reign of others over the self. There have been many Siddhas in the past, then do they gain an authority over the new Siddhas, owing to their seniority? No! All are free in all ways! Contained in the Self! In nothing else! A Nirvana pada, where such unparalleled bliss of the Self remains always, which is the ultimate goal of the jiva. Attainment of Nirvana pada as a result of good thinking, and thereby a period to the tremendous effort. The next thought in due course ...
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