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I am the Soul
711
That is why the disciple says here, “O Prabhu! What should I pay as Gurudakshina at your feet? No substance in the world seems worthy of this. If there is any valuable substance in this world, it is only the atma. Rest is all unworthy. While the joys attained through the senses, mind and intellect appear to me only illusions of joy, how should I describe the glory of the atma from which I attain bliss that is beyond all senses? Howsoever and whatsoever may be the joys of this material world, they are limited. Whether it is the supreme reign of the Chakravarti Emperor over the six continents or the happiness being drawn from the unparalleled strength of punya of the Gods residing in the Mahavimana with all their attainments, it is only an infinite part of the infinite bliss of my atma. Nothing more than that! I do not see anything more eligible than my own glorious atma, which could be offered at your feet.”
"Indeed, I may even place the atma at your feet, but even that is something you gave me. Did I know that “I am the soul?? Out of the infinite fixation I had the impression that body itself was the soul. You were benevolent, showering me with your benefaction, you introduced me to the atma, helped me realise it. As such, even this atma is what you have given me. Therefore, it is not my own.
मेरा मुझमें कछु नाहीं, जो कछु है सो तेरा
This is the case. There is nothing my own within me. Whatever is there is yours. Do I have the right to offer you that which is your own? But I do have to repay my debt to you. I have to offer you something. But I do not have anything. It appears that I cannot do anything else but accept servitude at your feet. You are dispassionate, free of aspirations. You do not aspire for anything from me, but my self has become eager to repay your benevolence. Therefore, it seems there cannot be anything but a feeling of total dedication at the feet. I shall conduct myself according to the orders of the refuge at your feet, through
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