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as it is quite different from the body, no bodily sense organ can perceive the soul. The soul is neither a body nor the senses, nor breath. The soul is conscious, knowing and blissful in nature. Such a soul eternally exists, it has no beginning and no end. The body, which is composed, has an end but the unique soul is neither composed nor decomposed. The soul and body are two different realities but they help or hinder each other. The soul is the author of all activities. It is not the nature of the soul always to act, though no activity can be without it, it can cease to act also. Shrimad has also explained the doctrine of karma and its various categories, and has shown that no principle of God is needed to explain animal and human activities. Activities naturally bring the fruits enjoined with them and no divine force is needed for this arrangement.
In the end, in nine verses Shrimad has described the effect of this soul-saving knowledge on the disciple and the disciple pays his grateful homage to his Guru for his help and advice.
Aho aho Shri sadguru, karuna-sindhu apar Aa pamar par Prabhu karyo aho aho upakar (142)
Shrimad's ascetic life style and strict code of conduct took its toll and he was in poor health. He did not care at all for any material gain in his life and his weight had gone down to only 45 lbs. when he was 32-33 years old. He was in a perfect blissful state though and there was an aura of spirituality around him.
He died peacefully and in the state of samadhi at the very young age of 33 in AD1901. For his followers he is a Krupalu Deva (ever-merciful god) and revered with utmost respect and devotion.
The poem 'Atma Siddhi' is available on a beautiful CD. Tel - USA: (1) 925 426 1366 or email: rbhuta@aol.com
Vinod Kapashi is a writer and speaker on Jainism, based in London. He is the president of Mahavir Foundation.
With best wishes to the Jain Spirit
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July - September 1999 - Jain Spirit
71
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