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I am the Soul
783 In this gatha too, Srimadji has mentioned daya as the first characteristic while describing the characteristics of a mumukshu.
Here daya - pity is svadaya – self-pity. One who has recognised the true form of the self, and that in spite of being the dispassionate, atma in chidrupa, it has become tainted due to karmas, due to affected disposition, due to attachment etc. This blemish, this malady is what hurts the jiva. When the jiva, which has been troubled by these maladies from infinite times, finds them unbearable, it develops a pity upon itself. That is called svadaya – self-pity. Such a jiva decides that it should not do anything that hurts the atma. Activities of violence etc. are bound to taint the atma and hurt it, so such activities are given up.
Indeed, when the self develops self-pity, it also realises that ‘if I do not like my atma to be harmed, then how can any jiva like to suffer harm to its body, mind or soul? Therefore, I should not hurt anybody.' Thus in self-pity, pity for others too gets accommodated. The feeling of compassion for other jivas arises naturally.
One who has developed svadaya within, certainly realises that the feelings of attachment etc., are harmful – disastrous. Therefore, the activity arising out of the feelings of attachment etc., naturally subsides. There is a loss of peace only when there are the feelings of attachment etc. Peace can be experienced when involvement in the feelings of attachment etc., is stopped. That peace, which was not attainable from any situation, any place or any happiness derived from the pudgal, is available to the self from within. Therefore, the jiva seeks refuge with such sages at whose feet peace is always available and becomes their obedient and devoted follower. As the feelings of devotion and obedience gradually progress, the passions begin to diminish and as a result peace - supreme peace is experienced. One, whose passions are overpowered, is bound to get peace.
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