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śrīmad's Philosophy of Ātmadharma teacher and the necessity of surrendering, devoting and following such a teacher. Explaining the characteristics of a pious teacher he says : Such a teacher has good knowledge of the self (ātma-jnīāna), he is full of equanimity and his acts in life are only according to the fruits and consequences of past karma-bondage, but he does not indulge in any activities voluntarily so as to attract any karma-particles. His speech or preaching is unique and he is well-versed in knowledge of different systems of faith..
If genuine desire to know and realize the soul is to arise in the aspirant's mind, he must remember that the scriptural knowledge is useful to make him a deserving seeker, but to achieve the goal of liberation, the aspirant must surrender and obey the commands of a pious preceptor. It is also to be remembered further that one cannot understand and appreciate the nature of the conqueror (the Jina) without the teaching of a pioius preceptor and his grace and guidance. If however, there is no such preceptor to teach the scriptures, and preach the existence of soul etc., one should take recourse to a deserving teacher or is a pious preacher has advised him reading the scriptures, the aspirant should study them, keeping aside his own views and opinions." It is to be remembered that birth-cycle is due to one's own
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