In plain words
We must set Dharma in the Buddhi and set the Buddhi in society. The people of Bhārata called this trikaraṇa śuddhi. They said that the oneness of these three, heart, speech and body, is divinity. The proper study of mankind is man: such divinity they went on fostering in those days. First of all, they said, our character is what matters most. Without character, however much wealth, however much strength one has, it is of no use. If character is lost everything is lost. If health is lost something is lost - If wealth is lost nothing is lost. All the people of Bhārata in those days kept their eyes on sacred character. Now it has turned into: If wealth is lost everything is lost, if health is lost something is lost, If character is lost nothing is lost. This is the chief aim of today's education. They have gone on taking the ways of old in reverse. For our life, virtue is what matters most. For a man without virtue, however many strengths he has, there is no gain. Good qualities: that is what is important; what we must long for is that which is filled with good qualities. For fostering good qualities, the way of the Gopīs is a great support. From ancient times I tell you of their virtues as an example. Uddhava brought a message from Kṛṣṇa. He had been told to teach the Gopīs and put an end to their grief. Uddhava came and tried to give the Gopīs this message. Not one of them looked at Uddhava. What was the reason? Their eyes would go to no one but Kṛṣṇa. In the eyes, always, the gaze of compassion: the eye must see only the form of that gaze of compassion. ‘We will not turn such eyes on others,’ said the Gopīs. ‘If you will not look my way, never mind; read the message Kṛṣṇa has sent,’ said Uddhava. The Gopīs answered. “In these times we have no practice of going to school or of reading books.” Women did not go to school in those days. “We know nothing of letters,” they said. That is, their feeling was that learning is no bar to reaching God. A Gopī named Nīrajā knew a little reading; they showed it to her. She said, “I will not touch this. Why? Our whole bodies are burning in the fire of separation from Kṛṣṇa. If we hold the paper of Kṛṣṇa's message, it may burn up. So I will not touch it,” she said. Another Gopī could read. “Alas! Uddhava, I too can read. In the fire of separation from Kṛṣṇa, when I look at His lovely letters, tears stream from my eyes.