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ATMASIDDHISHASTRA
Based on a request from Shri Lagurajswami, Shrimad Rajchandra wrote a letter popularly known as “Six Fundamental Steps of Soul". However, this letter describing six aspects of metaphysics of soul and matter was difficult for Shri Sobhagyabhai to memorize it at age 67.
Shrimadji composed this great epic, Atmasiddhi, 104 years ago in Nadiyad in one sitting in less than 90 minutes in Gujarati which was later translated in English by Shri Brhamchariji entitled "Self Realization". Shrimadji is one of the most prominent exponents of Jain metaphysics of modern time to miraculously condense the seventh Purva called "Atmapravad" in Atmasiddhi in only 142 verses. A serious student of Acharya Kundkund's Samaysar will truly appreciate Shrimadji's Atamsiddhi as a modern version of Samaysar with step wise guidance for every genuine disciple to follow the original path of Lord Mahavir for self realization in the modern times.
Each verse of Atmasiddhi contains enormous divine power to awaken each disciple. Before composing this divine scripture, Shrimadji describes his highest state of pure consciousness he had attained (letter # 680 of Vachnamrut) before composing the Atmasiddhishastra. As we study Atmasiddhi, we are amazed with Shrimadji's eminent mastery as a poet, as a higly self realized Master and a great Seer to condense the nector of all the fourteen Purvas in 142 verses. In fact, the first verse of Atmasiddhi summarizes the essence of Shrimadji's message which is then expanded in this scripture for absolute clarity:
Je svarupa samjya vina, pamyo dukh ananta;
Samjavyu te pad namu, shri Sadguru Bhagavanta (1) As real self I never knew, so suffered I eternal pain; I bow to Him my Master true, Who preached and broke eternal chain (1)
In the first verse, Shrimadji states the root cause of all the suffering and misery is our ignorance of self-knowledge. He expresses his deep sorrow for those who either follow the blind rituals or consider themselves scholars by memorizing scriptures without surrendering to a true teacher. Shrimadji has defined the characteristics of a false and a true disciple and that of a wrong and a right teacher which is most critical for spiritual progress. The author further warns us that in modern times people have forgotten the true spiritual path of Lord Mahavir and have become victims by following the unqualified teachers. Shrimadji quotes Lord Arihanta's guarantee that if one can melt away the ego and all pre-conceived notions about sects, dogmas, and misbeliefs, and surrenders to a self realized teacher, one will attain self realization in no time.
The first forty two verses of Atmasiddhi provide all the prerequisites for a disciple to meet before one can be worthy to study and experience the six fundamental steps of soul. Here we find Shrimadji as an eminent scientist describing the six steps of
Jain Education International 2010_02
- Shrimad Rajchandra Compiled by Dr. Pravin L. Shah, Reading, PA
soul: Existence, continuity (ever lasting), doer and enjoyer of own Karma, liberation, and the process of liberation of soul.
In the first attribute of soul, Shrimadji defines soul having consciousness and blissfulness as its key property. Property of "always knowing" is only found in soul and not in matter including our body. Even though soul and body coexist, they are both completely separate from Jain metaphysics point of view as both are different elements.
In the second aspect of soul, the author describes our body taking birth and death cycles due to ignorance of self while soul is ever lasting and can not be reproduced. One can consider soul as life energy in form of pure consciousness. As a chemist, one can think of soul as an inert element like pure gold, never being af fected or attacked by the environment.
In the third aspect of soul, Shrimadji describes the most complex science of soul and Karmic matter in a very simplified manner. As long as the person is ignorant of self knowledge, soul is the doer of Karma and attracts Karmic matter based on good or bad emotions. As soon as one attains self realization, the inflow of new Karma does not take place and one begins the journey towards attaining the pure conscious state.
As forth aspect of soul, the author describes Atman as enjoyer of the fruits of karma acquired during ignorance state. One does not have to blame God for good or bad fortune since we are responsible for creating our own destiny. We find excellent summary of Karta-Karm chapter of Samaysar in Shrimadji's description of Atman as Karta and Bhogta, respectively steps three and four, described in Atmasiddhi.
When a person has attained perfect self realization, one can be called a liberated soul which is Moxa. This process of liberation of soul from Karma begins with self realization and fully liberated state is attained when all the Karmic matter is destroyed by the disciple. At this stage the soul becomes free from all the bondage of karma and attains the "Siddha" state as described by the author as step five.
The sixth step of soul describes how to attain the liberation or Moxa. Shrimadji gives us wonderful insight on how to destroy ones ignorance (Darshan Mohniya) by surrendering to a true master and to follow the teacher's advise unconditionally, and by getting rid of body-infatuation, one can break the bondage of Karma. This is the essence of true religion. In verse 117, Shrimadji gives us the master key for self realization:
Suddha Buddha chaitanyaghan, svayamjyoit sukhdham; Biju kahiye ketlu? Kara vichara to pama (117)
Pure consciousness are Thou, Ever Knowing, Eternal Bliss; Contemplate on this, and Realize your Pure Consciousness (117)
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