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the preaching of a pious teacher, and unless he comprehends the nature and importance of a Jina, how can he understand how benevolent a Jina can be? Having discussed the importance of a pious teacher on the path of self-realization, we shall now study the importance of studying the scriptures.
10. Scriptural Studies (Svādhyāya)
Srimad has repeatedly advised aspirants to study scriptures specially those which help an aspirant know the real nature of soul, develop non-attachment and subsidence of the passions, reduce interest and involvement in worldly activities and associations and such other things. He has advised aspirants to study scriptures like Yoga-vāsistha, Ācārāņgastītra, Uttarādhyayana sútra, Sūtrakytāri gasutra, Daśavaikālikasūtra, Pañcāstiikāya, Adhyātmasāra, Dravya sarigraha, Nāradabhakti sūtra etc..
As an aspirant starts studying the scriptures, including books on philosophy and religion, he reads about metaphysical and philosophical concepts which are not comprehensible to him, either becuase they are beyond experience and perception, or because there are conflicting views about one and the same concept, e.g. whether there is God, what is the nature of God, whether
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