In plain words
For this, five kinds of qualities are essential. The very first is prapatti. That is dedication. The second is devotion, the third discipline, the fourth discrimination, the fifth determination. These five become the five vital breaths of man's sevā. When we bring these five ‘d’s well into practice, not only the five elements, not only the five vital breaths, but the five sheaths too become pure. In every field, moral, of Dharma, spiritual, worldly and scientific, these five vital breaths are essential. Without these five ways we cannot do any work.
To take part in sevā, Ahaṅkāra must first be given up.
The very first is dedication. To what? To God, or to the world, or to the work? To what must dedication be made? First of all we must dedicate every single piece of work. Whatever work a man enters on, the first thing to come and stand in his way like a great demon is the Buddhi. That is Ahaṅkāra. This Ahaṅkāra must be dedicated first. Only when we give up Ahaṅkāra does whatever work we do take shape as sacred work. As long as there is Ahaṅkāra, no tie or kinship at all forms between man and the principle of the Ātma. One who has Ahaṅkāra cannot understand the principle of the Ātma. Nor can he experience Ānanda. So, whatever work one enters on, this Ahaṅkāra must first be given up. Pride of learning, pride of caste, pride of religion, pride of wealth, pride of power, pride of beauty: in this way there are eight kinds of Ahaṅkāra. This eightfold Ahaṅkāra we must give up first of all. How long does this Ahaṅkāra last?