________________
should be progressing. That will make one a good devotee. 86 In fact, to observe good conduct is itself following the satpurușa, because that is the purpose of pure and faultless conduct and that only is devotion to satpuruṣa. He has stated in Upadeśa- chāyā that real faith in paramātmā, perfect faith in pious teacher, and the religious préachings of the omniscient is called samyaktva (righteousness). One cannot properly understand and appreciate the nature of paramātmā and religion if the teacher is not pious: If the aspirant gets a pious teacher, he can very well understand and appreciate his teachings:87. Śrímad has quoted the following two verses to emphasize the importance and utility of a pious teacher : .......... . 1) Ajñānatimirāndhānām, imi: . jñānāñjanaśalākäyāl
. Netramunmīlitain yena, "*:
taśmai śrígurave nainah |/.88 *** It means, "Obeisance to that guru who, with the collyrium - stick of Knowledge, opened the eyes of those who were blind with the darkness of ignorance."
2) Mokşamārgasya netāram,
bhettāram karmabhübhṛtām / Jñātāram viśvatattvānām vande tadgunalabdhaye |/ 89
204
