In English
Present tragedy of our country
, the teacher of the Gods, was one day asked by his son whether he had no means of liberation from the recurring pain of birth and death. He replied that he had; only, he must earn and practise and win it himself. Many begin with a weakening want of faith: Will I, can I, succeed? How long will I have to spend in the task? But, , and (truth, virtue and love), if practised, will give the strength needed to win the that comes of liberation. Then, the son asked what he has to do. The father told him that complete renunciation of all worldly attachments () alone can endow him with freedom. He was happy that he had a son who sought these higher things of life. He was quite different from the fathers today, who invite their sons to play cards with them and waste the precious hours in trivial games. If such a question is asked by a son today, the father will conclude that the son has gone mad and he will become prey to all kinds of wild fears; he will start thinking of frantic remedies. That is the tragedy of our country. The son went, far from hearth and home, and after eight years of ascetic practice, he returned with a victory over hunger and thirst. The father put him to test. Tests must be welcomed, for they alone can give confidence. When you drive a nail into the wall, you try to shake it a little, to ascertain whether it has been driven firm. Tests are essential everywhere and more so, in the spiritual field, where success is often deceptive and short- lived. The son admitted that he had not earned peace of mind, unshaken fortitude. The father said he ought to acquire .The son went again into the forest and spent one full year there, without caring whether it was shade or sun, hot or cold. When he came back, the father was still not happy, for he had not discarded the one fundamental attachment, the attachment to the ego. He was still involved in the mesh of I and mine. Once the ego is suppressed, that very moment two consequences follow: freedom from grief, acquisition of joy. To achieve this great consummation, you must take one step after another. Good deeds like ritual worship, repetition of holy names, meditation, observance of vows, etc., are the 'steps'; good thoughts like prayer for greater discrimination, more chance to serve others also help. Slowly, steadily cleanse the mind; sharpen the intellect; purify the senses; and win grace. You have come here, prompted by (Love); cultivate that , move about with that . Treat the old and the sick that are here with some special care; give them the chance to be in the shade, inside the auditorium, and those of you who are young and sturdy, give them room. Observe the disciplinary rules that are prescribed for your sake and be benefited by the of the (Ceremony of pouring water) at 11.00 a.m. and the (the emergence of formless form) at night.