Silent Soil

Author(s): Vidyasagar Acharya
Publisher: Bhagwan Rishabhdev Granthmala

Page 13

In the case of man, it is his internal world, his faith, interest etc., which make him 'soil' or 'stone'. And, infact, it is his internal world of conscious attributes which is to be transformed from the present dwarf state to the colossus of the omniscient state. As 'soil' proper he has to reach the feet of true Deva , Shastra and Guru, instal them on the simhasana of his heart, listen to their preachings there and get absorbed in his pure soul as they themselves are absorbed.
The absorption in sva (self) is the summum bonum, which the moneyed eyes can not see, one concerned with inanimate things (jada) like pitcher, clothes etc. and does not welcome, worship the conscious can not apprehend (pg. 192). Acharya Shri emphaticalhy lays stress on the discrimination between the self and the non-self, when asked by the people to give them a sutra that they may recognise their Being:
Whatever is being seen outside that...............am ....... not and that is not mine too. These eyes cannot see me, T have the power to see, I was.... is ..... and will be its creator. I was.... is ..... and will be the seer of all. Whatever is being seen outside that.... ..... am.... not." (pg 347)
Again, it is fascinating to note how he resolves the confusing opposition between niyati (destiny) and purusartha (effort).
'Ni' means nija (one self)
Seven