Passage 3

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In plain words

No one knows. God alone is the root cause of creation, sustenance and dissolution. This divine power is in every man. But, unable to recognise this truth, man sinks when trouble comes and swells up when happiness comes. To attain an even mind that neither swells nor sinks is man's chief goal.

Go forward, undaunted by hardships and losses

Long ago, when the gods and the demons churned the Ocean of Milk for the pot of nectar, making Mount Mandara the churning rod, the first thing to rise was the poison Hālāhala. The demons gave way to despair and dejection. But the gods, without drawing back in the least, bore it with courage and daring, pushed on through it, and kept up their effort. As a result they not only won the priceless treasures called Lakṣmī Devī, Kāmadhenu and the Kalpataru, but also gained the pot of nectar itself. In the same way, man must churn the mind caught in the grip of the Māyā of Prakṛti, and try to recognise his true nature. At the very start, hardships, losses and sorrows stand in the way: he must pay no heed at all to this ‘poison’, must not fear it, and must go forward. Only then can he recognise his true nature and live by it.

Recognise the divinity within humanity

The ancient culture of Bhārata is divine, priceless, wondrous, full of joy and delightful. But you are neglecting it. Try to recognise the divinity that is in humanity. This whole world is like one home. All human beings are brothers and sisters! When we pass our time in this faith, there are no words to say how much Ānanda we gain. In every man Sat, Cit and Ānanda are ever shining. But man forgets the precious qualities within him, builds up ties of the body that do not last, gives in to petty things, and wastes his time. When he recognises his divinity, man can accomplish any deed, however great.