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The inner search prevails!
The pursuit of the three gems, anticipates the presence of proper upadana. Devoted pursuit cannot happen unless and until upadana is ready. In fact, as soon as upadana arises the proper motivation is not far behind. The effort of a jiva is to prepare the upadana and not to gain motivation.
The preparation of upadana demands a constant effort. Only when the proper effort of the inner self arises, and happens continuously, does upadana get prepared. In practical life too, when one has to attain some specific ability, how many years of effort goes into it! To become a Doctor, an Advocate or an Engineer, it takes at least 17-18 years of incessant effort! If a child upon passing the matriculation, says, “I have been studying for the last ten years. I do want to achieve some specialisation. But let me take a break for 3 - 4 years; I shall resume soon after', then the child cannot progress. He cannot be given even an year's break.
Brothers! For the jiva's upadana to get prepared, a tremendous effort of not just one or two years, but of one or two births is inevitable. Upadana is the specific ability of the jiva. What should be the ability of a jiva pursuing moksa has been told by Srimadji in the Atmasiddhi Shastra.
One whose kashayas have been subdued, who has no other desire than attaining moksa, to whom the material world appears filled with sorrow, whose inner self brimming with bhavadaya has become fully compassionate - that atma filled with all these virtues is fully equipped to receive the upadana. Now it is only awaiting a perfect motivation. What happens in the area of the atma of an inquisitive jiva when it becomes eligible for the perfect motivation? Srimadji tells us -
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