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Verse 34
स्वस्मिन् सदभिलाषित्वादभीष्टज्ञापकत्वतः । स्वयं हितप्रयोक्तृत्वादात्मैव गुरुरात्मनः ॥
(34)
As the soul longs for own well-being (liberation), promulgates the path that leads to it, and engages in its realization, therefore, it is its own preceptor.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
In the true sense, the soul indeed is the real path to liberation. Well established in itself, it neither perceives alien objects as its own, nor gives up its intrinsic nature. Faith, knowledge and conduct, together, constitute the intrinsic nature of the soul. As the object and its qualities are not distinct, the soul is described as identical with the constitutive elements of faith, knowledge and conduct. These elements also constitute the path to liberation. Hence the intrinsic nature of the soul is the real path to liberation; it does not stand in need of an outside preceptor to either know the truth or the path to be followed. The perfected soul becomes all-knowing and all-perceiving.
Right understanding of the pure soul is attained by the soul itself, not by any other means. Those who expect the purity of the soul to come from anything outside entertain perverted vision. The soul is absolutely not touched or purified by other substances howsoever propitious these may seem. It is in this context that the practice of renunciation of all external concomitances of the soul is considered so worthwhile.
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