In plain words
This is our fast today. This is our vigil. This is not it. The true vigil is to experience Ānanda on this night, thinking of, loving and worshipping the supreme principle that is pure, holy, stainless, unmoving and selfless. Today, unable to recognise the true meaning of such a vigil, we not only waste our time but make our life itself meaningless as well.
The ancient maharṣis praised the culture of Bhārata in many ways, practised its true form, enjoyed it and gave it to the world. But there are many who do not know what the culture of Bhārata is. What is our tradition? What is our culture? What is our Sanātana Dharma? One who does not know these three is not fit even to call himself a man of Bhārata. Whatever form of Satya there is that does not change with time, does not fade with history, does not diminish at the dissolution of the world and does not grow with creation: this culture of Bhārata is the very shaping of that form of Satya. The very inner soul of this culture is Sanātana Dharma. It is a treasure of nectar they won by making offerings to it in many ways and dedicating their very lives. The maharṣis of those days did not enter into it merely through blind beliefs of some kind, or through Ajñāna, or through not knowing. The maharṣis of those days knew everything. They were all-powerful. They had given up all attachment. Their hearts were unmoving. They were selfless. Such great souls made researches in many ways and made this supreme truth known to the world. In this modern age today, cleverness has grown. Good quality is not seen at all. Argument for everything. Rationalism for everything. They do not know what reason is. They are ready only to argue. They do not know the truth that even rationalism must have a reason. That is why, in a human nature full of Ajñāna like this, for divinity to arise, or for divinity to be seen, is impossible. So we must recognise the truth that, relying on these learnings, on our strength and ability or on our cleverness, we cannot see the One who is the Ātma at all, and act accordingly. Faith is one; there is no other thing called blind faith. For this faith there is no reason, no season. So it is beyond reason. It is spiritual. To look for causes for it is in a way sheer foolishness.