In plain words
Keeping the senses under control is itself Śānti
What is Śānti? Keeping the senses under control is itself Śānti. Attaining equanimity is itself Śānti. ‘Equanimity is called yoga’: through this very equanimity we can achieve yoga and sacrifice. Satya, Dharma, Śānti and Prema are the four pillars of the mansion of life. The mansion of life rests on these four pillars. The world is an ocean of towering waves, made of the clash of joy and sorrow. These joys and sorrows, too, do not exist each on its own. Like sunlight and shade, they keep following one another. The two are bound together inseparably. Between the outer world and the inner world there is a oneness. There is one thing we can think over. What savours food, what delights through the senses, what revels in scents: is it the body? Or is it the Ātma? It is not the body. It is the Ātma itself, the Ātma of all. What notices a fragrance, breathes it in and delights in it: is it the Ātma? Is it the body? The nose is merely a sense organ, nothing more. But what experiences is the antaḥkaraṇa itself. The senses are like tools. They are instruments. Instruments are of no use on their own. Without the Manas, the senses do not work. Because it is the master of the senses, they called the Manas Indra. Without the will of the Manas, their master, the senses do not so much as stir. So we must follow neither the body nor the Manas. We must follow the heart. To recognise the heart and to experience it, the Buddhi is what matters most. So we must set the Buddhi on the right path. With a right Buddhi, people live a right life. Only when you stop counting the faults of others and experience divinity in everyone do you become worthy of God's Prema. Only he who loves everyone is close to God. Those who have won God's grace have won the grace of all there is.
A heart set on selfless service is what gives a birth its meaning
Embodiments of Prema! We must not waste our life on outward doings, telling ourselves it is the day the body was born. The day pure feelings, a steady nature and a heart set on selfless service become real in the heart: that very day gives birth its meaning. Service brings nearness to the nature of Viṣṇu. In many regions, through the upheavals of nature, through certain disorders, through too much rain and through drought, a great many people are suffering. In Nellore district a great many have met with hardship and loss. You must take part in the service fit to look after them. Not only the people of Nellore district but those of the neighbouring districts too must take part in this service. Suffering can come to anyone, on any day. If we stand by those who suffer today, tomorrow, when we suffer, there will be those who stand by us.