In plain words
Within the principle of the sun there is such holiness and such might. That very sun, all-knowing, giving light to the world, is also journeying toward the north. That is, toward Īśvara.
Who is Īśvara? He is not merely a form with matted locks, wearing the moon, making the Gaṅgā flow and wearing serpents. Īśvara means the very form of all aiśvarya. Īśvaratva… we build a shape for it with some worldly view. Īśvaratva means all aiśvarya. Jñāna is one aiśvarya. Health is one aiśvarya. Wealth is one aiśvarya. The one who gives every aiśvarya is Īśvara. Developing the inner vision is the special greatness of Uttarāyaṇa.
When we look with our eyes open, we see only the outer world. When we look with our eyes closed, the inner world becomes clear to us. However great a fool someone is, he can see a few things at least with his eyes open. Here it is not a question of scholar or unlettered. There must be śraddhā and Bhakti. One without śraddhā, however learned, gains nothing. One who has śraddhā, even with no learning at all, can attain that holiness of feeling. 'Paṇḍitaḥ samadarśinaḥ,' they said. Those who argue and teach with differences are not scholars. Vāde vāde labhate vairam. You must not enter into argument. Without argument and without seeing differences, to experience divinity … with calm, this Uttarāyaṇa is of great use. It shows the human mind the peaceful path. So this divinity is full of everything: supreme Śānti, holiness, and the enjoyments and fortune that belong to health.
Once upon a time, to show a worldly meaning, Viṣṇu was playing dice with Lakṣmī. Lakṣmī means wealth. They wanted to see whether the people of this world honour wealth or honour God. Lakṣmī said, it seems: 'O Viṣṇu! What do you know? Everyone honours me alone. No one honours you,' she said. 'No one honours you the way they honour me,' she said. He said, 'Those who honour you are in crores upon crores. Those who honour me are few in number. But though they are few, their nature is very great,' he said. As pure as a teaspoon of cow milk is, and as impure as bonalles of donkey milk is: that is how it is. Those who honour you are like donkey milk. They take refuge in you. In every way they lose themselves. And at the very end they forget even you. Those who long for me keep me safe in their hearts always. 'What proof is there of that?' she asked. Women argue, don't they! So the two of them played dice. Will you win, or will I win? The two of them are playing dice. At this moment he said, 'Come, Īśvara! Protect!' Who? The king of the elephants.