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Means of Self-Realization
the soul has, from beginningless time, been under the influence of ignorance which makes it difficult for the aspirant to realize that his behaviour was perverse and harmful and threfore that should be given up. Therefore, the Jinas have preached the path of devotion in the form of surrendering to the enlightened, so that by following that path of devotion, the seeker himself can attain that state of self- knowledge. Srimad has again explained the importace of devotion for the same reason stated above. He has cited the examples of Gautama Buddha, Rşabhanātha and others like Mahāvīra, who opted for the path of self-knowledge and therefore chose to abandon and leave their palatial glory and happy worldly life. He has further said that such brave sacrifice is not possible for an average seeker and hence the enlightened preached the path of devotion, which can be followed by all seekers and aspirants, as the same is much easier, compared to jñāna-mārga. Path of devotion is nothing but total surrender to the sadguru and paramātmā.isi Great Yogi and a devotce Anandaghanaji has in one of his poems described the fruits of devotion by saying thai one becomes a Jina by conquering mind and senses (which is a very hard task indeed ). Another becomes a true devoice of ihe Jina (conqueror), and thereby becomes a Jina
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