In plain words
The children may well feel some hardship. ‘Oh no, I have only just lain down. Sleep is coming over me. How am I to get up?’ they may think. In that moment they think so, but afterwards they forget it all and go on making the arrangements that suit Swami. So first of all we must purify the body. Purity does not come from smearing on perfumes and colours outwardly. Radiance comes to the body through a healthy body, good feelings and control of the senses. If we keep company with those who have purified themselves in this way, we too are honoured.
The principle of purity wins a place close to the Paramātma
Once Īśvara gave a boy called Mārkaṇḍeya a life span of only sixteen years. From the time he rose at dawn, that boy would be absorbed in games and songs, like ordinary boys. Knowing, ‘Within a day his sixteen years will be complete,’ the mother and father go on shedding tears. Then Mārkaṇḍeya comes running to them and asks, ‘Mother, why are you shedding tears?’ Seeing no reason to keep it from her son, the mother tells him, ‘My son! With this day the bond between your body and my body comes to an end.’ ‘What! Why did you not tell me this all this time?’ and Mārkaṇḍeya was deeply distressed. Well, there was still some time left before his death; so he went, bathed and went to the temple of Īśvara. With a pure tongue he went on remembering the pure Name of Īśvara. Just as the sun was about to rise, Īśvara and Pārvatī appeared there. Pārvatī is asking Īśvara: ‘Lord, why do You still delay? That boy is suffering greatly. His parents too are grieving deeply. Save them,’ she prayed. Then Īśvara: ‘Pārvatī! If this boy is to be saved from death, you too must play your part!