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24
Paramatma-Prakasa
In response to Prabhakara's question, the author says:- There, in that meditation, delusion is smashed to pieces and the mind sets into steadiness, when the breath issuing from the nostrils melts back into Ambara. When one dwells in the Ambara delusion melts, mental activities are no more, inhalation and exhalation are stopped and even omniscience develops. He who concentrates his mind, which is an extensive as the physical and superphysical space, on the Akaia, has his delusion destroyed; and he is authority to others. (161-164)
[Then possibly the pupil speaks in a mood of repentance.] The self, the infinite divinity, which is in the body, has not been realized; and it has all been waste to have held the mind in the equanimous Ambara. All the attachments are not given up; the attitude of detachment has not been cultivated; the path of liberation liked by saints has not been understood; severe austerities, which are the essence of self-realization, are not practised; both merit and sin are not consumed; then how can the round-of-rebirths be terminated?
Gifts have not been given to saints, the great Jina is not worshipped and the five great teachers are not saluted: then how can the liberation be attained (tivalabha)? (168)
Successful meditation does not consist so much in closing the eyes, half or complete, as in remaining steady, with the mind undisturbed whereby alone liberation, the best state of existence, is attained. If undisturbed concentration is attained, the round-of-rebirths comes to an end; even the great Jina will not achieve Hamsacara, if he is liable to disturbances and anxieties. It is indeed foolish to run after the world and its activities. Brahman who is above all this should be realized, and the mind must be set at rest. The mind must be curbed from all the attachments, six and five colours, and then be concentrated on Atman, the infinite Divinity (165-172)
This infinite Atman assumes that form in which he is meditated upon like the crystal or Mantra. This Atman himself is Paramätman; but he remains as Atman because of special Karmas; as soon as the Atman is realized by himself, then he is Paramatman, the divinity. One should meditate thus: I am the same as Paramatman, the embodiment of knowledge and the Infinite divinity, and the Paramatman is myself. Like the colours reflected in a transparent crystal all the Karmic associations are different from the nature of Atman. By nature, like crystal Atman is pure; the dirty appearance of the body is mistaken for that of the soul. The body should not be considered as red, old and worn out, when the clothes are red, old and worn out. Similarly red colour, old age and destruction of the body have nothing to do with the soul. As
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