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The first 40 stanzas of Ätmasiddhishästra are by way of instructions to a liberation-seeker for getting on the right path. Therein Shrimad states:
15 Roke Jiv Swachchhand To, Päme Avashya Moksh; Pämyä Em Anant Chhe, Bhäkhyun Jin Nirdosh.
One, who restrains self-indulgence, surely attains liberation. The flawless omniscient Lords have stated that innumerable souls have attained it that way.
16 Pratyaksh Sadguru Yogathi, Swachchhand Te Rokäy; Anya Upay Karya Thaki, Präye Bamano Thay.
The self-indulgence can be overcome by direct contact with a true Guru; it would be mostly doubled by resorting to other means.
17 Swachchhand Mat Agrah Taji, Varte Sadguru Laksh; Samakit Tene Bhäkhiyun, Käran Gani Pratyaksh.
Giving up self-indulgence, viewpoints and strong opinions, if one acts as directed by a true Guru, that action itself is termed as the right perception, being the obvious cause thereof
18 Mänädik Shatru Mahä. Nii Chhande Na Maräy; Jätä Sadguru Sharanamän, Alpa Prayase Jäy.
Mighty foes like egotism cannot be destroyed by one's own indulgence; they can be easily overcome by surrendering to a true Guru.
He also writes, "Even if one endeavors infinitely on his own, he cannot be enlightened by himself, while by resorting to the commands of enlightened one can attain omniscience within a period of 48 minutes.
"Enlightenment can obviously be gained from the enlightened, yet on account of popular disgrace etc., the worldly soul does not give up the contact of unenlightened. That is the root cause of the infinitely lasting defilement.
"Instructions given in the scriptures are indirect and they are meant to turn one receptive. For attaining liberation one has to resort to direct commands of the enlightened...." (200)
"Earlier there have been innumerable beings, who were highly enlightened, but they cannot remove the faults of the worldly beings. For instance, if one indulges in ego, those earlier enlightened cannot come to point it out; only those, who are presently enlightened, can help in removing that fault. The water from far away milky sea cannot quench one's thirst, while if there is a pot of sweet water here, it can quench the thirst.
Way for gaining the well-being:- "One may fancy that he can attain the well-being by meditation, ecstasy, Yog or by such other means, but it does not happen that way. The well-being lies within the enlightened and that can be noticed by coming in close contact with him. One should at least keep in mind that if he has been in the right contact, his faults like strong prejudices should give way as the consequence of such contact, so that no one would get any chance to speak adversely about that contact. ... Despite that, if one cannot give up the faults relating to his prejudices, difference of opinion etc. he need not expect to be liberated. ... The enlightened have not left out anything unsaid, the worldly soul is lacking in doing accordingly...." (466)
