Aptavani 09 - Book Summary | JainGPT

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Aptavani 09: The Path to Liberation Through Self-Realization and the Eradication of Obstacles

Aptavani 09 is part of a series of fourteen books by Dada Bhagwan (Param Pujya Dadashri) intended to provide the collective "Gnan" (spiritual knowledge) for the path to moksha (liberation). The series aims to be a comprehensive guide, requiring no other scriptures for spiritual seekers. The language is simple and beneficial to all.

The Core Message: Akram Vignan and the Gnani Purush

The central theme revolves around Akram Vignan, a "step-less" or shortcut path to Self-Realization, as expounded by Dada Bhagwan (the spiritual manifestation within A.M. Patel, the Gnani Purush). This path was made accessible through the Gnan Vidhi, a scientific spiritual process that grants Self-Realization in about two hours.

The Gnani Purush (Dada Bhagwan): The Living Source of Knowledge

Manifestation: Ambalal Muljibhai Patel, a contractor, experienced spontaneous Self-Realization in 1958, melting his ego and becoming an instrument for the salvation of humankind. He identified the Lord within him as "Dada Bhagwan."
Role: Dada Bhagwan resides within all beings, but within the Gnani Purush, He is fully expressed. The Gnani Purush is a living embodiment of absolute knowledge and the means to attain Self-Realization.
Nature: The Gnani Purush is laghutam (smallest, lowest, most humble) in worldly interactions (vyavahar) and gurutam (highest, greatest) in the realm of the Self (nischaya). He is free from ego, desire, pride, and "I-ness" (potapanu), living with naturalness and oneness with the universe. His speech is vitarag (detached) and nishkalan karuna (compassion without personal gain).

Obstacles on the Path to Liberation (Moksha)

Aptavani 09 meticulously details the impediments to spiritual progress, highlighting how a Gnani Purush can guide one to overcome them. These obstacles, often rooted in the ego and the non-Self (prakruti), include:

Obstinacy (Aadayee), Sulking (Risavu), Manipulative Tantrums (Tragu): Obstinacy is seen as a primary obstacle, stemming from the ego. It prevents one from becoming "straight" (sarad), which is essential for moksha. Sulking (risavu) is a form of obstinacy that wastes energy and creates further bondage. Manipulative tantrums (tragu) are considered even more destructive, leading to severe karmic consequences. Recognizing one's own obstinacy is the first step to eradicating it.
Emotional Agitation (Udvega), Suspicion (Shanka), Intense Mental Notes (Nondha): Emotional agitation arises from excessive intellect (buddhi) and attachment (moha). It leads to binding new karmas. Suspicion, fueled by ignorance and faulty intellect, is seen as "constant death" and a great weakness that destroys the self. Avoiding suspicion and cultivating trust in vyavasthit (scientific circumstantial evidence) are crucial. Nondha (keeping intense mental notes) creates conflicts, wastes energy, and perpetuates worldly life and enmity.
Commonsense (Sajhta): True commonsense is defined as "everywhere applicable, theoretical as well as practical." It allows one to adjust everywhere, avoid conflicts, and solve problems without ego. It develops through social interaction and selflessness. Pragnya (the direct light of the Self) is superior to intellect and leads to moksha.
My-ness (Mamata): Attachment (Moh), Covetousness (Lalacha): Mamata is the feeling of "mine-ness," which expands from the body to possessions and relationships. It is considered the root of ego and worldly entanglement. Lalacha (intense greed) is seen as a grave disease, worse than greed (lobh), leading to self-destruction and hindering liberation. Lalacha for sex is particularly condemned as demeaning and animalistic. True love is detached and does not involve keeping mental notes.
Pride (Maan), Ego of Doership (Garva), Wallowing in Worldly Pleasures (Garavata): Pride (maan) and ego (ahamkar) are seen as significant obstacles. Abhimaan (pride with "my-ness") is particularly destructive. The Gnani Purush is free from all forms of ego and pride, embodying humility (laghutam). The pride of "I know" is considered suicidal. Garavata is the indulgence in worldly pleasures, like a water buffalo stuck in mud, which prevents spiritual progress.
Laghutam (Smallness/Humility) vs. Gurutam (Greatness/Superiority): The Gnani Purush embodies laghutam in the relative world and gurutam in the Self. The path to liberation requires cultivating laghutam, which leads to the gurutam state of the Self. Trying to be gurutam in the world leads to downfall. The key is to become a disciple of the whole world, thereby attaining true spiritual superiority.
Insistence (Khench), Deceit (Kapat), "Point-man" (One who leads astray): Insistence (khench) and arguing are seen as contrary to the path of liberation. Deceit (kapat) is a grave obstacle, often operating unconsciously, and it veils the Self. "Point-men" are those who subtly divert spiritual seekers from their path with pleasing but misleading words. Maintaining awareness and the Agna (spiritual directives) of the Gnani Purush are essential to avoid these pitfalls.
Awareness (Jagruti) vs. Desire to be Worshipped: True awareness (jagruti) is the constant remembrance of the Self. The desire to be worshipped (poojavani kaamna) is a dangerous disease that leads to spiritual suicide. Preaching Gnan without proper certification from the Gnani Purush is also cautioned against due to the ego. Awareness helps starve the kashayas (anger, pride, deceit, greed).
"I-ness" (Potapanu) and the Supreme Self (Parmatma): "I-ness" (potapanu) is the final remnant of ego after Self-Realization, which gradually dissolves with increasing awareness and the clearing of karmic accounts. The ultimate goal is to become abheda (one with the entire universe), free from all "I-ness" and "my-ness," thereby realizing the Supreme Self (Parmatma).

The Solution: Akram Vignan and the Guidance of the Gnani Purush

The book emphasizes that the knowledge of the Self and the way to overcome these obstacles are not found in scriptures but are only available from a living Gnani Purush. Through Dada Bhagwan's grace and the Akram Vignan, one can:

Attain Self-Realization: Understand the real Self (Soul) and become separate from the non-Self.
Eradicate Obstacles: Overcome obstinacy, suspicion, greed, pride, ego, and deceit through the Gnani's guidance and the adherence to His Agna.
Live Harmoniously: Develop commonsense, adjust everywhere, and maintain oneness with all.
Cultivate Humility: Embrace laghutam to progress towards the gurutam state of the Self.
Experience Bliss: Attain liberation and the eternal bliss of the Self by living without mamata and lalacha.

Aptavani 09 serves as a practical manual for spiritual seekers, offering clear explanations, analogies, and direct guidance from Dada Bhagwan to navigate the path to ultimate freedom.