In English
Concrete representation of the symbol on flag
I have told you often that this flag hoisting is not a mere formality; it is a meaningful rite in the inauguration and training of that army. I never do any act devoid of significance or speak a word devoid of purpose. The symbol on the flag is also full of significance. This has no compound wall, as you have noticed. It is as it should be; people can come to the Lord from any direction, without let or hindrance. But we have gates! The people who walk along that road, which takes a turn when it approaches the are, like all else, burdened with inherited impulses and earned dents and bents in their personality make-up. They are moved on by desire and urged by the six-thonged whip of passion. They enter the gate only when they are no longer overwhelmed by quality of inertia and indolence () - that is, when they have the curtain of delusion drawn aside a little. From there, they move on toward the and pass through that second gate, where they are attracted by the imposing building, the portico, the statue in front - all appealing to the comparatively superior quality of passionate activity (). Even this falls off when they enter the hall, where quality of serenity and poise () overpowers the mind, what with the pictures, images, the , the chanting of Lord’s Name, etc. This circle in front of the is a concrete representation of the symbol on the Flag; you should all be told about this, and you should in turn educate others about it. The first circle within the brick outline is, as you can see, strewn with sand. That is desire (), mere waste land, where nothing can grow, from which no sustenance can be procured. The next one is the circle of anger (), enemy number two of man. It is represented here as a hardy tuber plant with many leaves, which, though cut often beyond recognition, sprouts at the next fall of rain. Anger is like that; you feel you have uprooted it, but you let your pride be injured or your wish opposed, and it sprouts again. Its roots are tentacles difficult to escape from. Every Nine-day Festival (), the thousands of devotees who walk about here trample the plants and leave no trace. But when the Birthday Festival comes a month or two later, the sprouts come again and grow into a sizeable height. That is the way anger grips a man. It grows into hatred and vengeance - the two red steps that you see as the next two concentric circles. When someone stands across your path, you hate him; when someone refuses to be your accomplice, you hate him. Acts of commission as well as omission cause hatred. That is why we have two steps here.