________________ Verse 169 Therefore, the soul (jiva) that aims at liberation (moksa), observing detachment (nihsanga)1 and indifference (nirmama)2 toward everything external, does devotion (bhakti) to the Siddha. This way, it attains the state of liberation (moksa). EXPLANATORY NOTE Association of the soul (jiva) with attachment (raga) causes mentalinquisitiveness; mental-inquisitiveness is the cause of bondage of karmas. Therefore, the soul (jiva) that aims at liberation (moksa) must completely get rid of attachment (raga). With complete destruction of attachment (raga), the soul is able to observe detachment (nihsanga) and indifference (nirmama) toward everything external. Such a soul, through observance of holy devotion (bhakti) to the Siddha, gets established in the tranquil and pure own-soul-substance (suddhatmadravya). It becomes 'svasamaya'. As it gets completely rid of karmas, it attains liberation (moksa). Acarya Pujyapada's Samadhitantram: येनात्माऽबुद्ध्यतात्मैव परत्वेनैव चापरम् / अक्षयानन्तबोधाय तस्मै सिद्धात्मने नमः // 1 // जिसके द्वारा आत्मा को आत्मा रूप से ही जाना गया है और अन्य को - कर्मजनित मनुष्यादि-पर्यायरूप पुद्गल को - पररूप से ही जाना गया है, उस अविनाशी अनन्तज्ञान स्वरूप सिद्धात्मा को नमस्कार हो। 1. Detachment (nihsanga) is the opposite of 'sense-of-mine' (mamakara) - "This body is mine.' 2. Indifference (nirmama) is the opposite of 'self-consciousness' (ahamkara) - 'I am the king.' . . . . . . . . . . 321
