________________
Means of Self-Realization bear in mind that ignorance. will not bring good. The whole universe is nothing but misery and suffering. Also think of the fact that all lives are suffering because of the bondage of the karmas. Another important preaching of Śrimad for a sādhaka is as follows:
He says that for improving purity of one's soul, scriptural studies relating to one's spiritual uplift and control of one's sense-organs are the chief aids for an aspirant. They prove to be so, if one practises with valour. 123 In chapter 7 and 8 of his Upadesa-chāyā, he gives very useful hints, which are preachings by themselves. He says that one need not blame one's karmas. Karmas of beginningless times, can be destroyed in no time (two ghadis). One should act with valour when one is doing sādhanā. One must give up perverse thoughts, and laziness. One should give prime importance to giving up those faults and then observe penance. A thoughtful person should not worry about other means, but adopt means which will help arouse one's valour of soul. In the 11th chapter of the same. Upadesa- chāyā it is said, no external sacrifice or sacrifice of any material things is useful unless it is given up and sacrificed internally that is mentally. Only if and when passions are wiped out from one's soul completely, knowledge will unfold itself.
225
