In plain words
So society depends on the individual. Only when each individual in society takes shape as he should will the whole of society be good. If you want to change society, it is of no use simply to go into society and give lectures. First of all, you change. Only when the individual changes will society change. Only when man becomes good will society become good. If you want to make society good without being good yourself, it will never be possible. First of all, make yourself good, change your heart into a sacred one, and you can make society sacred. Only then will worthiness come to you. That is why: dāsyam ekapadaṃ dharmaṃ. Dharma must be a worthiness; only then is one given the right to attain Dharma. Hariścandra went on giving. He had worthiness. He gave up his kingdom. At the very last he gave up even his wife and child. He stood as a keeper of the cremation ground. He suffered every hardship. But he did not waver. You must become a person who never stands in the way of Dharma. “Is there a sin greater than giving one's word and then lying?” To say a thing and then slip out of it is not Dharma, he said. There is no greater sin than that, he said. To hold to this vow is true worthiness. Because he earned that worthiness, he earned the lasting fame of being called Satya Hariścandra. One must not give one's word for the moment and then slip out of it. One must go on keeping the word one has given for the whole of one's life. One must cross over oneself and help others cross over. One must cross over oneself too. Only then will you be one who has attained the true goal of life.
The divine quality is sacrifice
Students, you have taken part in many games. But enquire what the result of these games is. They are giving a prize. Which prize matters? The prize this one or that one gives does not matter. Self satisfaction: that is the Prize. Satisfaction in the Ātma is the true prize. “I have done my duty well. I have done my duty.” You must feel: Duty is God - Work is worship.
Your wardens came to me and said that today I should give prizes. My mind would not agree to give these bahu‘mati’s. Man, with just one mati, falls into so many states.