Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 78

6) The pupil is convinced of the above five fundamentals by contemplating over the same. His desire for the path of liberation now gets accelerated. He thinks that what he has known so far would be of no avail, if he does not come across the incontrovertible means for attaining liberation. Having doubts about such means, he raises the questions.
Pupil: How is it possible to destroy Karmas prevailing since the infinity? I do not see any incontrovertible means for that. Innumerable opinions and philosophical thoughts lay the innumerable ways. Which one should be accepted as true?
Guru (Blessing the pupil for his understanding so far and advising him to keep patience): By removal of the doubts relating to the five fundamentals, you are now convinced that the nature of soul is exactly as presented here in light of the law of causation. As such, you will not have any doubt regarding the means of liberation that I am going to indicate; you would be easily convinced of that.
Even a long lasting dream comes to the end at the instance of awaking. Similarly the delusion prevailing since the infinity disappears with the advent of self-realization. The wholesome or unwholesome inclination arising by virtue of Karma is the state of ignorance and that itself is the cause of bondage. The inclination, away from the pure soul, leads to desire for external pleasure, while the inclination to be free from Karma leads to abiding within the Self. The factors that cause the acquisition of Karma represent the road towards the bondage, while the way to destroy the same constitutes the path of liberation. Craving, aversion and ignorance are the principal knots on the creeper of bondage. The way to uproot those knots is the path of liberation.
There are infinite types of Karmas, which can be covered within eight broad categories. The deluding Karma is most prominent among them; therefore listen how to overcome it. The deluding Karma is of two types, perception-related and character-related. The former is overcome by enlightenment and the latter is overcome by detachment. That is the right way; everyone can evidently experience that anger and such other instincts lead to the bondage of Karma, while forgiving etc. lead to the eradication thereof.
One should give up his strong opinions about the means of liberation as laid from the different points of view and different ideologies. Keeping aside the view that this is my religion and that I must observe the same, if one resorts to the path of liberation indicated here, he would attain liberation within a few births. One would surely reach the path of liberation, if he fully understands and stays doubt-free regarding the six fundamentals about which you thoughtfully raised the questions. That path cannot be reached, if there lurks doubt about any of those fundamentals.
Pupil: I cannot decide about the creed and the attire in which liberation can be attained. Some believe that only Brahmins deserve liberation, some think that liberation cannot be attained without the monastic attire or such other dress. There are thus multiple view points. As all of them do not lay one single path of liberation, I do not know what to do.
Guru: The realization of pure soul and manifestation of all the properties of consciousness by virtue of removal of perception-related and character-related delusion, as indicated above, constitute the path of liberation. By resorting to that one can attain the liberation irrespective of the creed or dress. There is no high or low status in the state of liberation and no doubt needs to be entertained about it.
Pupil: What is the purpose of understanding five fundamentals in absence of making out the path of liberation? Graceful Lord, I have been gratified by your replies pertaining to the five fundamentals. Now I would consider it the rise of my great fortune, if I make out this fundamental relating to the means of liberation. Please indicate to me the path of liberation from the beginning to the end.