Passage 17

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In plain words

Nothing of it touches Divinity in the least. It is always pure. So, however much anyone says, remain calm. Do not try to argue over anything. This argument is not good. By arguing, enmity grows still more, but our calm does not grow. So never take to argument. If anyone says anything, burst out laughing. Your smile will come to them as a fitting punishment. This Paul used to keep abusing Jesus a great deal. Once Jesus went up to Paul and burst out laughing. The very sweetness in that laugh removed the poison in Paul completely. So you must always keep a smiling face. Never put on a castrol oil face. However many hardships come, however many sorrows come, you must bear them. Keep a smiling face. Happiness is union with God. This Ānanda must be gained near God.

Embodiments of Prema! Every year you celebrate the festival of Christ. You have come from so many countries. The true festival of Christ, Christmas, takes place nowhere except in Prasanthi Nilayam alone. Because some Christians celebrate Christmas together. People of the other religions do not enter in at all. If Hindus celebrate some Hindu festival, only Hindus enter in; others do not. But here it is not so. Hindus, Christians, Pārsīs, all come together. Our Prasanthi Nilayam is the harmony of all religions. Elsewhere it is drinking bottles with relish, killing animals and eating them. Driving off fast in cars. Losing lives in an accident. This is the splendour of Christmas there. But X-mas here is not like that. Begun at 3 o'clock at dawn, until 12 o'clock at night it is filled with the thought of God. It is all Holy day, not holiday. Many say, 'We have come for the X-mas holidays.' For you it is holiday, but for us holy day. Such holy days take place nowhere. Since you have experienced something so sacred, when you go back to your own places you must put a sacred feeling into practice. Wherever you go, make firm the feeling I am the messenger of God.