In English
Rituals seldom purify man's consciousness
Of the nine steps in spiritual , as laid down in the (aphorisms on devotion), leading to the realisation of the self, , or the attitude of a servant to do , is quite near the final goal; it is the eighth step. The study of texts, the renouncing of wealth in charity, the repetition of the name or the chanting of psalms and hymns may be good exercises to sanctify the mind and to avoid falling into evil ways and ruinous pastimes, but they seldom purify the consciousness of man. Instead they serve mostly to bloat the ego and instil pride and promote a competitive craving for superiority. You may be sitting in the hall and loudly singing in chorus, but your mind may get involved in anxiety about the pair of (sandals)you have left outside the hall. Always at the back of the mind there is fear of the loss of the ; this vitiates the and makes it a barren show.