In English
Man has to progress every moment; a stagnant style of living does not benefit him. How long can we tolerate a boy staying in the same class at school? He must proceed from one class to the next higher one, year after year. The spiritual aspirant too should not stagnate in one . From the master-servant relationship with God, he must advance to the body-limb relationship and reach the stage of merging in the All-inclusive One - that is to say, from dualism, through conditioned non-dualism to monism or non-dualism. In the initial stages, man worships portraits or idols of God in all the sixteen forms of reverential homage. Preliminary concentration (), invocation (), offering seat (), washing feet (), offering hospitality (), ablution (), offering vestments (), sacredotal thread-wear (), sandal paste (), flowers (), incense (), lamp (), food (), pan (), camphor flame waving (), circumambulation and prostration (). But, good character, good conduct and virtuous life are essential qualifications for the aspirant. Of course, floral offerings are commendable. The sixteen items are good. But, one should progress from this stage to the awareness of the . Flowers fade and rot soon. The effect of offering flowers may not last long. What God loves more are the flowers blossoming on the tree of man's own life, fed and fostered by his own skill and sincerity. They are the flowers of his virtues grown in the garden of his heart.