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Means of Self-Realization
and conduct. If one has to succeed in being a good devotee of a sadguru, he should cultivate good qualities and good conduct and go on improving it day by day. Proceeding along this line should be taken as an order of the sadguru. Śrimad therefore says that obeying the order of a sadguru is equal to studying many scriptures. 147 The reason for this, is very obvious. Devotion is the path to achieve self-realization, the said path being easiest possible, deep study of scriputres is not necessary. The very association, presence and life of pious teacher itself is the guiding light. Devotion will eradicate pride and ego and also the licentiousness of the aspirant and he will live straightforward, simple and pure life. His mind will not waver but it will be balanced and steady.148
Devotion also means comprehending the nature of the self with full awareness and hence such devotion can be done and learnt under guidance of a sadguru. In absence of such help from a sadguru, the devotion will be defective and impure. Śrīmad advises practice of devotion in the early hours of day and in a lonely place. Of course, devotion to one's own nature' is advisable at all times. A beginner may start with devotion to paramātmā or siddha. His devotion should comprehend
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