Passage 14

In English

We have been given this body by God for the sole purpose of utilising it to recognise what is contained in this body, namely, the soul. The body has not been given to us to let it grow and grow enormously on the food that is fed to it and all the time neglect and forget the soul. Today ninety-nine out of a hundred people are only looking after the body and its happiness, looking after the growth of the body. All the time, they are considering what position this body can get in the surrounding environment. They are not devoting any part of their time to make some enquiry and understand and take care of the soul that resides inside this body. Like a tree which does not bear fruit, like a fruit which has no juice in it, like an animal which has no intelligence, like a cow which does not yield milk, what is the use of your being born if you do not understand the purpose for which you are born? What is the purpose of effort that does not result in your knowing what you are and in recognising the common element that is contained in the eighty-four of living species.