Am rita Sutr a

Table of Contents
Am rita Sutr a.....................................................................................................................................3
Go d......................................................................................................................................................4
All Perva ding.......................................................................................................................... 5
Go d Experience ..................................................................................................................... 5
Surre n de ring........................................................................................................................... 5
Go d's Grace............................................................................................................................. 6
Ou r Mistake s...........................................................................................................................6
Purity of Hear t........................................................................................................................6
Go d's Love............................................................................................................................... 6
Love fo r God........................................................................................................................... 6
Go d's For m .............................................................................................................................. 7
Go d's Light ............................................................................................................................. 7
Go d's Certificate.................................................................................................................... 7
On t h e Gur u......................................................................................................................................7
Surre n de r t o t h e Gur u ......................................................................................................... 7
Gur u's Power...........................................................................................................................8
Gur u's Guida nce.................................................................................................................... 8
Gur u's Disciplining............................................................................................................... 8
Obe die nce................................................................................................................................ 9
Qu alifie d Disciples................................................................................................................9
On Mahat m a s (Great Souls)......................................................................................................... 9
"A r ealise d s o ul is like a river or a t ree, giving co mfo r t a n d coolne s s t o t h o se
w h o co m e t o hi m."................................................................................................................ 9
Ego.................................................................................................................................................... 1 0
The Min d ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1
Devotio n..........................................................................................................................................1 2
Selfles s Service.............................................................................................................................. 1 2
On Scrip t u r e s, Knowle dge a n d Experie nce.......................................................................... 1 3
On Attit u d e t owar d s Life........................................................................................................... 1 4
Goo d Co m p a ny....................................................................................................................1 4
Look wit hi n........................................................................................................................... 1 4
Lear n fro m Sorrow s........................................................................................................... 1 4
Detac h m e n t .......................................................................................................................... 1 4
Desire......................................................................................................................................1 5
Effor t.......................................................................................................................................1 5
Body a n d Soul...................................................................................................................... 1 5
Deat h ...................................................................................................................................... 1 5
The Mind ................................................................................................................................1 5
The Value of Things...........................................................................................................1 5
On o u r Attit u d e t owa r d s Ot he r s ........................................................................................ 1 5
On Sad h a n a (Spirit ual Practices)............................................................................................. 1 6
Enviro n m e n t ......................................................................................................................... 1 7
Discipline...............................................................................................................................1 7
Jap a......................................................................................................................................... 1 7
Meditatio n............................................................................................................................. 1 7

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 Am rita Sutr a

Ta p a s (Aus terities)............................................................................................................. 1 8
Solitu d e .................................................................................................................................. 1 8
Effect.......................................................................................................................................1 8
Sid d his .................................................................................................................................. 1 9
For m s ......................................................................................................................................1 9
Gener al ..................................................................................................................................2 0
On Qualities of a Spirit u al Seeker........................................................................................... 2 0
Detac h m e n t .......................................................................................................................... 2 0
Discri mina tio n ..................................................................................................................... 2 0
Lear ning fro m Sorrows..................................................................................................... 2 1
Fait h ........................................................................................................................................ 2 1
Alert n e s s ............................................................................................................................... 2 1
Go d Aware ne s s ....................................................................................................................2 1
Looking Within.................................................................................................................... 2 1
Co m p a s sio n .......................................................................................................................... 2 2
Forgivene s s ........................................................................................................................... 2 2
Patience..................................................................................................................................2 2
Goo d Co m p a ny....................................................................................................................2 2
Tyaga (Ren u nciatio n)......................................................................................................... 2 2
Love fo r God.........................................................................................................................2 2
Inte n t o n t he Goal...............................................................................................................2 2
Surre n de r ...............................................................................................................................2 3
Hu mility................................................................................................................................. 2 3
On Negative Emotio n s ............................................................................................................2 4
Anger...................................................................................................................................... 2 4
Anger a n d Pride ................................................................................................................. 2 4
On Worl dly Life.............................................................................................................................2 4
Hear t a n d Intellect....................................................................................................................... 2 4
Go d Within............................................................................................................................ 2 5
Imbe d d e d Ten de ncies (Vasa n a s)....................................................................................2 5
Reincar n a tio n.......................................................................................................................2 5
Experie nce.............................................................................................................................2 5
San nya s.................................................................................................................................. 2 5

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 Am rita Sutr a

Amrita Sutra
h t t p: / / a m rita p u ri.org /
h t t p: / / a m rita p u ri.org / t e ac hings / s o o t r a / i n d ex.p h p

When Am m a s p e ak s, She ofte n u s e s illus t ra tio n s a n d p a r a bles t o h el p u s gra s p

t h e s u b tlety of Her s pirit u al m e s s age. This sec tio n offers a collectio n of Am m a's
a p h o ris m s, colou rf ul a n alogies w hich, o n co n te m pla tio n, will h el p u s t o e njoy t h e
b ea u ty of life.
● Go d
● Gur u
● Maha t m a s
● Ego
● Min d
● Devotio n
● Service
● Knowle dge a n d Experie nce
● Attit u d e t owa r d s Life
● Attit u d e t owa r d s Ot her s
● Spirit u al Practices
● Qu alities of a Seeker
● Negative Emotio n s
● Wor dly Life
● Hear t a n d Intelect

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 Am rita Sutr a

God
God's Pres e n c e
"To s ay t h a t t he re is n o God is like s aying 'I h ave n o t o ng ue' wit h yo u r ow n
t o ng u e."
"God is very close t o you, t h a t is w hy yo u ca n n o t s ee Hi m. Is it p o s sible t o see o u r
ow n face wit h o u t t h e ai d of a mir ro r? An d will it be p o s sible t o s ee o u r im age in a
mi r r o r if t h e mir ro r is co m pletely covere d wit h d u s t? Look afte r wiping away t h e
d u s t p a r ticles a n d clea ning t he mi rr or; t h e n cert ai nly yo u ca n see."
"Searchi ng for God o u t si de o u r s elves is like t rying t o catc h fis h by e m p tying t h e
ocea n. Therefore, beco m e int ro s p ective a n d look wit hin."
God's Rem e m branc e
"By re m e m b e ring God co n s t a n tly, ju s t a s a s n ake s he d s its s kin, we ca n free
o u r s elves fro m all b o n d s a n d be re b or n again. Even if yo u forge t t o eat, d o n' t
fo rget t o t hi nk of Hi m."
"If t h e re is a res ti ng place n e ar by, t h e m e re t h o ug h t t h a t t he luggage w hich you
a re car rying ca n s oo n be u nloa d e d ligh te n s t h e b u r de n. In t he s a m e way, w he n we
t hi n k t h a t God is n e a r, all o u r b u r d e n s will di mi nis h."
"A m o t h e r bir d will be t hi nking of t h e yo u ng o ne s in t he n e s t eve n w he n s h e is o u t
looking fo r foo d. Similarly you h ave t o kee p you r mi n d o n God while e ngage d in
all wo rldly actio n s."
"The m o m e n t yo u re m e m b e r you r p a re n t s, relatives, frie n d s o r you r favo u rite
fo o d, yo u s ee t he m in you r mi n d' s eye. You h ave t o b uild a si milar a t t ac h m e n t t o
Go d. Tha t is t he p u r p o s e of ja pa, m e di ta tio n a n d s a t s a ng."
"Jus t a s t h e colo ur of t h e ink di sa p p ea r s w he n a lot of water is a d d e d t o it, by
co n s t a n t re m e m b r a nce of God, t he in divid ual mi n d dis s olves in t he u nivers al
mi n d."
"A bit ter go u r d loose s its bit te r ne s s if it is s o ake d in s uga r for s o m e ti m e.
Likewise, a n ega tive m i n d will be p u rifie d if o ne t hi nk s of God ceaseles sly."
"We lose o u r s t re ngt h t h r o ug h worl dly plea s u res, b u t by co n s t a n t re m e m b r a nce of
Go d o u r mi n d beco m e s s t ro nger."
"If yo u kee p p o u ri ng wa ter into a bo t tle of ink, The colo u r slowly fa de s u n til
fin ally yo u ca n't tell w he t he r t he re was a ny ink in it. In t he s a m e way a s t h e m i n d
ex p a n d s wit h t h e co n s t a n t re m e m b r a nce of God, t h e s e n s e of in divid uality will
dis s olve a n d finally di s a p p e ar. The in divid u al mi n d beco m e s t h e Universal mi n d."
"An ex p re s s b u s s t o p s o nly a t a limite d n u m b e r of place s a n d reac he s its
d e s ti n a tio n wit h o u t d elays. Con s t a n t re m e m b r a nce of God is like t ravelling o n a n
ex p re s s b u s."

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All Pervading
"The o u t si de s h a p e s a n d colo u r s of t he differe n t wra p pi ngs o n can die s ca n differ,
b u t all t h e ca n dies h ave t h e s a m e s u b s ta nce. Likewise, t h e s u p re m e p ri nciple
b e hin d t h e vario u s s h a p e s a n d colo u r s in t he o u t si de worl d is o ne."
"The ring, t h e b racelet a n d t he ear ri ngs a re m a d e of gold. If yo u look a t t h eir
exter n al s h a p e s yo u o nly see t he se s h a p e s, if you look d ee pe r you ca n s ee t h e
gold t h a t is t he s u b s t r a t u m wit hin all of t h e m."
"Re m ove t h e b o u n d a ry be twee n tw o field s, a n d t he re is o nly o ne field. Boun d a ries
a n d divisio n s a re a rtificial, a n d crea te d by m a n. See t he One in all."
"When we s t o p fa n ni ng o u r selves wit h a h a n d h el d fa n, t he flow of air s t o p s. But it
d o e s n' t m e a n t he re is n o air. Whe n a light b ulb b u r n s o u t o r a fa n s t o p s t u r ni ng, it
d o e s n' t m e a n t h a t t h e re is n o electricity. God is everyw he re."
"By w h a tever n a m e yo u call it, t h e Divine Power is o ne a n d t he s a m e. God is n o t
s o m e o n e wh o re s p o n d s o nly if He h ea rs t h e s o u n d of a cert ai n call. He dw ells in
o u r h e a r t s."
"An act o r t a ke s m a ny r oles, b u t h e re m ain s t he s a m e. God is like t his. Differe n t
a re His n a m e s a n d for m s, b u t He is t he One be hi n d all."
"Is t h e re a ny differe nce be twee n t h e electric cu r re n t w hich p a s s e s t h r o ug h t h e
refriger a to r, t h e la m p, a n d t he fa n? No, o nly t he object differs. Similarly, eac h
p e r s o n u n d e r s t a n d s God accor di ng t o his cult u re a n d wors hi p s a s s uc h."
"There is a d a m in t h e m i d dle of t he lake. The lake is two, b u t if t he d a m is n o t
t h e re, t h e n it is o ne. Tha t d a m is ignora nce or m aya. Duality is o nly s ee mi ngly
real."
"We h ave h a n d s, legs, eyes, n o se, etc., b u t are t h e s e differe n t o rga n s n o t p a r t of
o u r ow n b o dy? Like t his, s ee everyt hing t h a t is s ee n a s God's Limb s."

God Experience 
"Will yo u get a ny m ilk by p r e s sing t he ear s of a cow? Can yo u s ay t he re is milk in
all p a r t s of h e r b o dy? Only h e r u d d e r co n t ai n s milk for u s t o d ri nk, a n d we will
get t h a t o nly if we m ilk h e r. It's t r ue t h a t God is everyw here, b u t t o act u ally
ex pe rie nce Hi m we h ave t o co n nect t o Him t h r o ug h s pirit ual p r actices a n d
s a d h a n a."
"Not everyo ne w h o plays t he lot te ry wins t he firs t p ri ze. The p ri ze goes t o o ne
a m o n g m illion s. God ex pe rie nce is like t h a t; o nly o ne in a million will h ave it."
"Worldly plea s u re s are like a ca n dy t h a t gives sweet ne s s n ow, b u t r ui n s you r tee t h
later. If yo u k n ow God, yo u ca n e njoy sweet ne s s all t he ti m e - a n d it is n o t ba d for
t h e t ee t h!"

Surrendering
"What will h a p p e n if t he d oct o r tells t he p a tie n t t o co m e t o hi m o nly afte r h e get s
well? Go d is t h e o ne w h o p u rifies t h e mi n d. Take ref uge in Hi m a n d offer all t h e

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dir t of yo u r mi n d. Only He ca n clea n se you."

"Once we b o ar d a t rain, d o we co n tin ue t o carry o u r loa d a n d co m plain ab o u t h o w
h e avy it is? Take ref uge in Hi m a n d s u r re n d e r everyt hing."

God's Grace
"Woul d n't it be u s eles s t o bla m e ot h er s if we ca n't watc h t h e TV beca u s e we
h ave n' t t u r n e d it o n? God's Grace is always flowing t o u s, b u t t o be nefit fro m it,
we h ave t o be t u n e d t o His worl d."
"What is t h e u s e of sitti ng inside a ro o m wit h all t he d o o r s a n d win d ow s close d
a n d co m plain t h a t it is d a rk, w hile t he s u n is s hi ning b righ tly o u t si de? If we ju s t
o p e n t h e d o o r s of o u r h e a r t s, we ca n receive t he grace t h a t God is co n s t a n tly
s h owering u p o n u s."

Our Mistakes
"God h a s give n di scri mi na tio n t o h u m a n bei ngs t o refrain fro m co m mi t ting a ny
er r o r s. We h ave t o m a ke u s e of it. The field is t he re a n d t he see d is t he re also.
Cultivate caref ully a n d rea p t h e fr uit."
"A d oc t o r p r e scribe s for u s a bo dyb uilding t o nic. If we ignore his ins t r uc tio n a n d
d ri n k u p t h e w hole b o t tle a t o nce, h e is n o t re s p o n sible for o u r r ui ne d h ealt h. In
t h e s a m e way God is n o t res p o n sible for o u r m is ta ke s."
"If we d rive careles sly a n d m e e t wit h a n accide n t, ca n we bla m e t h e gas oline? How
ca n Go d b e bla m e d for o u r careles s ne s s?"

Purity of Heart
"Do we n ee d t o give wate r t o a river t o q u e nc h its t hir s t? By t a ki ng ref uge in Go d
it is we w h o gain p u rity of h ea r t, a n d wit h a p u r e h e a r t we ca n co n s t a n tly e njoy
t h e s t a te of bliss."
" It is difficult t o s ee t he s u n' s reflectio n in m u d dy water, b u t in clea n water t h e
image ca n b e ea sily see n. Similarly, o nly t h o s e w ho a re p u re a t h e ar t ca n
ex pe rie nce God."

God's Love
"No o n e loves a nyo ne m o r e t h a n t hey love t h e m s elves. Whe n we d o n' t get t h e
h a p pi n es s we ex pect fro m a frie n d, o u r frien d beco m e s o u r e ne my. Only God
loves u s s elfles sly."

Love for God
"By filling a res ervoir, yo u s u p ply wa te r t o all t he pi pe s co n necte d t o it. If yo u
p o u r wate r a t t he r oo t of a t ree, it will reac h all t h e b r a nc he s. In t h e s a m e way, by
loving Go d, we love everyo ne. It is t he s a m e God dw elling wit hin everyo ne."

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 Am rita Sutr a

God's Form
"Like t h e ocea n t h a t rise s u p in re s p o n s e t o t h e a t t r actio n exerte d by t h e m o o n,
Go d ca n as s u m e a ny for m He wa n t s d e p e n di ng o n t h e n ee d s of t he d evo tee s."

God's Light 
"God n ee d s n o t hi ng fro m u s. Does t he s u n n ee d t he ligh t of a ca n dle? God is like
t h e s u n, s h e d di ng its light eq u ally o n all t hi ngs in t h e worl d. We, living in t he
d a r k, n ee d light."

God's Certificate
"If we wait for t he cer tificate of a p p r oval fro m o t h e rs, we wo n' t get a certificate
fro m Go d. What we really n ee d is God's certificate."

On the Guru
"If yo u dig a d ee p well o n t o p of a m o u n t ai n, you m ay n o t fin d a ny water; b u t dig
a s m all h ole o n a riverba n k a n d yo u will s o o n fin d wate r. In t he p r oxi mity of a
g u r u yo u r s pirit u al p r actices will q uickly bea r fr uit."
"A child wa n t s t o s ee t he s u n rise, b u t slee pi ng co mfo r t a bly in his be d, h e ca n't
m a k e hi m self get u p in t h e m o r ni ng. The m o t h e r will h ave t o h el p hi m get u p. A
s pirit u al life wit ho u t a gur u is like t he life of a child wit ho u t a m o t h e r."
"If we kee p t he co m p a ny of p e o ple wit h ba d q u alities, t h ey will h ave a ba d
influe nce o n u s. If we h ave frie n d s wit h goo d q u alities, o u r n a t u re will cha nge t o
t h e goo d by mixing wit h t h e m. By s t aying wit h a gur u o ne beco m e s a field where
goo d q u alities are cultivate d."
"When we t r a n s pla n t a s a pling fro m o ne place t o a n o t h e r, we carry s o m e s oil fro m
t h e firs t place s o t h a t it beco m e s ea sier for t h e s a pling t o accli ma tise t o t h e n ew
co n ditio n s. On t h e s pirit ual p a t h t he gur u' s p re s e nce is like t h a t s oil."
"There is a t rea s u re ches t of dia m o n d s wit hin you, b u t yo u a re s ea rc hi ng for
dia m o n d s o u t si de. The key t o t h a t che s t is als o wit h you, b u t it h a s beco m e r u s ty.
You h ave t o p olis h it if it is t o o p e n t he che s t. We a p p r o ac h a gu r u for t his
p u r p o s e."

Surrender to the Guru
"Now yo u a re a slave t o yo u r s e n s e s. Surre n d e r t o t he gur u a n d t he se n se s will
b eco m e yo u r slave."
"When a child is h ol ding his m o t h e r' s h a n d, h e ca n d o w ha tever h e wa n t s. He
wo n't fall eve n if h e t ake s b o t h feet off t he gro u n d. Likewise t he disci ple s h o ul d
always h ol d o n t o t h e gu r u."

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 Am rita Sutr a

"If a n o p e r a tio n is re q uire d o ne h a s t o s ee a s u rgeo n. Likewise, t o ri d o u r mi n d s of

all t h e dir t a n d t o p r ogre s s t ow ar d s t h e ulti m a t e goal, we h ave t o t a ke ref uge in a
g u r u."
"When we m a ke a ca n oe, we h e a t t h e woo d t o m a ke it be n d. Only t h e n ca n we
s h a p e t h e ca n oe. Likewise we cha nge for t he be t ter w he n we 'be n d' o u t of awe a n d
d evo tio n fo r t h e gu r u."

Guru's Power
"Jus t a s t h e t or t oise m a ke s t h e egg h a tc h by t h e p ower of its t h o ug h t s, t h e
s a tg u r u' s t h o ug h t s awake n t h e s pirit ual p ower in t h e di sci ple."
"Tho se w h o p re te n d t o be gur u s are like b o a t s m a d e of s p o nge; t h e b oa t will sin k
a n d all t h e p a s s e nger s will go d ow n wit h it. But a s a tg u r u is like a h uge s hi p in
w hich a ny a m o u n t of p e o ple ca n reac h t he s h o re."
"If yo u t o uc h a wire carrying electric cur re n t, t h e electricity will e n te r int o yo u. If
yo u t a ke r ef uge in a gur u his p ower will flow int o yo u."

Guru's Guidance
"You ca n't lear n h ow t o re p air a m ac hine by ju s t rea di ng a b oo k. You h ave t o go t o
a re p air s h o p a n d be t r aine d by s o m e o n e w ho k n ow s t he job. Similarly, yo u n ee d a
g u r u t o g ui de yo u a n d h el p yo u overco m e t h e o b s t acles o n you r s pirit ual p a t h."
"The label o n a m e dicine b o t tle co n t ain s o nly ge neral ins t r uc tio n s. We n ee d a
d oc t o r' s p r e scri p tio n t o t ake t h e m e dicine p r o pe rly, o t he rwise t he m e dicine m ay
d o m o r e h a r m t h a n goo d. Similarly, lear ni ng a b o u t s pirit u ality fro m a t te n di ng
s a t s a n g a n d rea di ng b o ok s is n o t e n o ug h. You n ee d t o follow a gur u s ins t r uc tio n s
a n d g ui d a nce."
"If we t r avel wit h a co m p a nio n w ho lives a t o u r d e s ti na tio n, t h e jo u r n ey will be
s m o o t h. If we t r avel alo ne, even if we h ave a m a p, we ca n lose t he way. The r ole of
t h e g u r u in o u r s pirit u al life is si milar t o t h e co m p a nio n."
"We ca n't get ligh t by h a nging a pict u re of a la m p o n t h e wall. If we n ee d t o s ee
s o m e t hi ng, we h ave t o t u r n t he real light o n. Lear ning fro m b ook s a n d even giving
s p eec h e s is n o t e no ug h. To experie nce t h e Tr u t h o ne h a s t o d o s a d h a n a u n d e r t h e
g ui d a nce of a gur u, a n d discover t he real 'I' wit hi n."
"Su p p o se we are going t o t ravel t o a s t ra nge place. Some bo dy m u s t be t h e re w h o
k n ow s t h e p a t h t o p r o t ect u s. Similarly, a Gur u w ho is a k n ower of t h e Self m u s t
b e a p p r o ac he d. Only o ne w ho h a s k n ow n t h e p a t h ca n s h ow t he way."

Guru's Disciplining
"Heating a piece of iro n in t he fur n ace, t h e blacks mit h bea t s o n it re p ea te dly - n o t
o u t of cr u elty, b u t o nly t o give it t he d e sire d s h a p e. So meo ne m ay cu t u p a p a p e r
in to m a ny pieces, o nly t o m a ke a bea u tiful flower o u t of it. Similarly t he gur u
re p ri m a n d s a n d disci plines o nly t o reveal t o t he disci ple t h e n a t u re of his ow n
s elf."

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"A m o t h e r m ay sla p h e r child t o s t o p it fro m p u t ti ng its h a n d in t h e fire. A gu r u

m ay b e s ter n for t h e goo d of t h e di sci ple. A sc ul p t o r chi p s away t he rock wit h his
chisel t o b ri ng o u t a bea u tiful for m of sc ul p t u re. A d oc to r s q uee z e s a n infecte d
a b sces s t o t a ke t h e p u s o u t a n d h el p it h eal."
"When t h e cow chew s o n t he you ng coco n u t s a plings it's n o u s e telling it ge n tly:
"Don't ea t it, m y d ea r." Only if yo u s h o u t a t t he cow: "Shoo! Go away!" Will it s t o p
ea ti ng a n d go away."
"The p ois o n of a s n a ke ca n kill yo u; a n d yet t he a n ti do te is m a d e fro m t h a t s a m e
p ois o n. A r eal gu r u will p u t all kin d s of ob s t acles in t he p a t h of t h e di sciple, fo r
o nly in t h a t way ca n t he disci ple d evelo p t h e s t re ng t h t o t ra n sce n d all o b s t acles."

Obedience
"When we b oa r d a pla ne, t h ey a s k u s t o fas te n o u r s ea t belt s for o u r ow n s afety. In
t h e s a m e way t he gur u a s k s t h e disciple t o obey cer tain r ule s a n d t o p r actice
re s t r ain t, t o elevate hi m."

Qualified Disciples
"It is n o t e n o ug h t o h ave a gu r u wit h t he hig he s t cre de n tials; t he disciple also h a s
t o b e q u alifie d."

On Mahatmas (Great Souls)
"A realised soul is like a river or a tree, giving comfort and coolness to those who 
come to him."
"We are like p u r e rainwater t h a t h a s beco m e im p u re by falling in t he gu t t er. For
t h e wate r t o be clea n again, it n ee d s t o be co n necte d t o a river. The Maha t m a is
t h e river."
"Maha t m a s are like gia n t t rees t o w hich eve n ele p h a n t s ca n be chaine d. There is
n o n ee d fo r a fe nce t o p r o t ect s uc h t ree s. But we a re like s m all pla n t s t h a t h ave t o
fea r cows a n d goat s."
"When a flower blos s o m s, t he bees get n a t u rally d r aw n t o it. Similarly, t h o s e wit h
s pirit u al s a m s k a r a s (inhe re n t t e n d e ncies) a re d r aw n t o a Maha t m a."
"If we m a k e t he s h a pe of a bit ter m elo n o u t of chocolate, it will s till be chocolate.
Likewise t h e Maha t m a s a re t h e s a m e a s Brah m a n, eve n t h o ug h a s s u mi ng a for m."
Mahatma's Po w er
"Being n e a r a m a h a t m a is like going t o a n ince n s e fact ory. We d o n' t n ee d t o wo r k

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 Am rita Sutr a

t h e re, ligh t a ny ince n s e or eve n t o uc h a nyt hing. All we n ee d t o d o is e n te r t he

place a n d t he fragra nce will linger o n u s. The p r e s e nce of a m a h a t m a will b ring
a b o u t a ch a nge in yo u wit h o u t you even bei ng aware of it."
"If yo u p o u r milk into milk, it wo n't t u r n t o cu r d. Put a s m all a m o u n t of cur d int o
a b owl of m ilk a n d all t h e milk will t u r n int o cur d. When a Mahat m a gives a
m a n t r a, his divine p ower e n te r s t he disciple t h r o ug h his s a n k al p a (resolve)."
"There is win d everyw here b u t t h e p e r s o n w ho co m e s t o re s t u n d e r a t ree o u t of
t h e sco rc hing h ea t get s a s pecial ki n d of rej uve n a ti ng coolne s s . Likewise, we ca n
ex pe rie nce a u niq ue p eace w he n we go t o Mahat m a s."
"Jus t a s electricity m a nife s t s t h r o ug h a ligh t b ulb, it is t he es s e nce of God w hich
m a nife s t s t h r o ug h t h e Maha t m a s. The Mahat m a s h o ul d be co n si dere d a s God."

Ego
"The ego crea tes divisio n. It ca n be co m p a re d t o t he walls t h a t d elineate t he
divisio n s of a h o u s e. If yo u d e m olis h t he walls, t he h o u s e di sa p p e a r s a n d again
yo u h ave o nly s p ace. Re m ove t h e ego a n d you will again beco m e s p ace."
"The s h ell a ro u n d t h e s ee d h a s t o b reak before t h e t ree ca n e m e rge. You h ave t o
get ri d of t h e ego before you gain k n owle dge."
"When t h e re is a cu rt ain over t h e win d ow, we ca n n o t s ee t h e blue s ky. If we
re m ove t h e s e n s e of 'I' fro m o u r mi n d, we will be a ble t o see t he ligh t wit hin u s."
"It is n o u s e p o u ring wate r into a dirty b ucket; t h e water will get dir ty. In t he s a m e
way, if yo u m ai n t ain t he ego w hile d oi ng s a d h a n a, you ca n n o t ta ke t o t al ref uge in
Go d. You ca n n o t ex perience a n d e njoy t he be nefit s of s a d h a n a."
"By flowing int o a river, t he wate r fro m a p o n d is clea ne d; by flowing into a gu t te r
it o nly get s dir tier. The gu t t er is t h e s elfis h a t tit u d e of 'I' a n d ' mi ne'. The river is
Go d. Child re n, let u s t ake ref uge in God."
"The r eal dirt is t he a t tit u d e 'I a m t h e d oe r,' w hich is h a r d t o was h away. All
p o wer s a re God's. A pla n t s h o ul d n o t s ay: 'Look a t m y flower! How bea u tiful it is!'
"
"Su p p o se t h e re are h oles in a pi pe lea di ng t o a ta p. The flow of water fro m t h e t a p
will b e weak. If t he re a re s elfis h d e sires (ego) in o u r mi n d s, we wo n't get t o t al
co nce n t r a tio n o n God."
"How ca n s o m e o ne w ho ca n't eve n swi m acro s s a s m all river swi m acro s s t he
ocea n? It is n o t p o s sible t o reac h t he s u p r e m e s t a te wit ho u t re m oving all s m all
s elfis h n e s s."
"The river is always flowing, b u t, h aving co n s t r ucte d a d a m, we co m plain t h a t we
d o n o t get water. We will get t h e co n s t a n tly flowing Grace of God if t he d a m of
ign o r a nce a n d ego b uilt by u s is re m ove d."
"The s u n gets co nceale d by t he clo u d s. In a like m a n n e r, God is co nceale d by o u r

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 Am rita Sutr a

ego a n d vas a n a s (late n t te n d e ncies). He beco m e s visible w he n t h e dir t of t h o se

te n d e ncies is re m ove d."
"The wee d s s h o ul d be re m ove d or t h e s ee d s will be d e s t roye d. If we d o s a d h a n a
(spirit u al p r actices) wit h o u t era dicating t h e ego, o u r s a d h a n a is fr uitles s."

The Mind
"One d o e s n' t p r ogre s s in s a d h a n a if t h e m i n d is re s tles s wit h t h o ug h t s. It's like
r owing a b o a t in a river covere d wit h se awee d."
"Jus t a s a wild h o r s e is p u t in a p e n a n d t a m e d, we h ave t o tie t h e mi n d t o s o m e
ideal a n d ta m e it."The mi n d is a collectio n of t h o ug h t s. Nega tive t h o ug h t s co m e
u p b eca u s e it is ti m e for t h e m t o di sa p p ea r. Lear n t o s ee t he t h o ug h t s p a s s
t h r o ug h yo ur mi n d like w ha t yo u s ee w hile looking fro m t he win d ow of a m oving
t r ain."
"Try t o s t a n d b ack a s a wit ne s s t o t h e t h o ug h t s in yo ur mi n d, like o ne s ta n di ng o n
t h e b a n k of a river, wa tc hi ng t h e water flow."
"The t h o u g h t s of t he mi n d are like t h e waves of t he ocea n. One ca n n o t s t o p t h e
waves by fo rce. But w he n t h e ocea n is d ee p t h e waves s u b si de. Similarly, t ry t o
co nce n t r a te t h e m i n d o n o ne t h o ug h t, ins tea d of t rying t o s t o p all t h o ug h t s by
fo rce. The ocea n of t h e mi n d will beco m e d ee p e r a n d it will beco m e q uiet. Even if
t h e re ar e s m all waves o n t he s u rface, it will be p e aceful."
"The mi n d is like a cat. We m ay t ake care of it wit h a lot of affectio n, b u t t h e
m o m e n t o u r a t te n tio n wa n de rs it will s tick its h e a d in t he p o t a n d s teel s o m e
fo o d. Mana sa p uj a is a m e t h o d t o kee p t h e m i n d fixe d o n God."
"The b ee looks for h o n ey w herever it goe s. But a fly p refer s t o s tick t o excre m e n t
eve n in a r o se gar de n. At p r e s e n t o u r mi n d is like t he fly; we h ave t o t ry t o m a k e it
like t h e h o n eybee."
"Before t h e see d is s ow n, t h e lan d is cleare d of gra s s a n d wee d s. In t h e s a m e way,
clear t h e mi n d of all t he exte r n al t hi ngs a n d t he n direct it t o God."
"The t h o u g h t of God will beco m e fir m o nly in a p u r e m i n d. The b r oke n s t o ne s a re
was h e d b ef ore t hey a re u s e d for m a ki ng concre te."
"Peo ple b uil d large p ala tial h o u s e s a n d co m mit s uicide insi de! If luxu ry co ul d give
u s h a p pi n e s s, w hy wo ul d p e o ple die of d e p re s sio n? Peace a n d co n te n t m e n t
e n tirely d e p e n d o n t he mi n d."
"How ca n yo u fully ex pe rie nce s pirit ual bliss wit h o u t fixing t he mi n d t o t ally o n
Go d? If yo u mix yo ur d e s s er t wit h o t he r di s he s, ca n you fully e njoy its ta s t e?"

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Devotion
"Rowing a b oa t again s t t h e cur re n t is difficult, b u t if t h e re is a s ail it beco m e s
ea sy. Love for God is like a s ail t h a t h el p s t he boa t go forwar d."
"Tho se w h o m e dit a te o nly accor ding t o a ti me t a ble, a s if it were a d u ty, will n ever
s ee Go d. You h ave t o cry for God d ay a n d nig h t, wit h n o t h o ug h t s of foo d or
slee p. Only t h o s e w ho h ave d o n e s o h ave realise d God."
"Devotio n, like ti nc t u re u s e d for clea ni ng a wo u n d, p u rifies t h e mi n d."
"Tho se w h o a re t hirs ting for God d o n o t like t o t alk a bo u t a nyt hing b u t God, eve n
w h e n grea t s o r row befalls t he m."
"Our k n owle dge of wis d o m is limite d t o wor d s; t o b ring it into o u r experience is
p o s sible o nly t h o ug h d evotio n."
"Sim ple rice - gr uel is agreea ble t o everyo ne's h e alt h. Tho se w ho s uffer fro m
in diges tio n o r o t h e r illnes ses ca n n o t ea t o t he r ty pe s of foo d. The p a t h of d evo tio n
is like t h a t. It s uit s everyo ne."
"Forget ting God in ti m e s of h a p pi nes s a n d re m e m be ring Him o nly in ti m e s of
s o r r ow is n o t a sig n of t r ue d evotio n."
"If yo u ca n n o t fin d free ti m e t o s p a re for act s of wor s hi p, t ry t o be like t he Gopis.
They were co n ti n u o u sly t hi nking of God w hile im m e r s e d in t h eir work."

Selfless Service
"By e ng aging in s elfles s se rvice t h e mi n d gets p u rifie d. Do n't wa s te a si ngle
ch a nce t o s e rve o t he r s. Such o p p o r t u nities mig h t n o t always co m e."
"When we d e dicate o u r selves s olely t o t h e well being of o t he r s, it is o u r ow n mi n d
t h a t b eco m e s p u r e. Whe n you give you r frien d a b o u q u e t of flowers, yo u are t h e
o n e wh o ex perie nces t he gra tificatio n of giving. You are t he firs t o ne t o e njoy t h e
b ea u ty a n d fragra nce of t he flower s. In t h e s a m e way, you ca n d e rive h a p pi ne s s
fro m selfles s ac ts."
"If a far m e r s ells rice of goo d q u ality, h e will be p r o p e rly rewar d e d for his work.
Goo d actio n s b ring goo d re s ult s."
"Secu ri ng goo d m a r k s in t h e exa m is n o t s ufficie n t; o ne h a s t o d o well in t h e jo b -
in te rview t o s ec u re a job. Similarly it's n o t e n o ug h if yo u o nly m e dit ate; you h ave
t o d o s elfles s work t o o. Tha t is t he te s t a n d s t re ngt h of you r p r ogre s s."
"There a re two ways: Think of everyo ne a s yo u r ow n Self, o r see everyo ne a s Go d
a n d se rve Him."
"Be like a n ince n s e s tick t h a t allows itself t o b u r n o u t w hile giving its fragra nce t o
o t h e r s. Be like a t ree t h a t gives s h a d e eve n t o t h o s e w ho a re in t h e act of cu t ti ng it
d o w n. Serve o t he r s t h ro ug h s elf - s acrifice, ju s t like a ca n dle gives ligh t t o o t he r s

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 Am rita Sutr a

w hile it m elt s a n d b u r n s d ow n."

On Scriptures, Knowledge and Experience
"A b elief o b t ai ne d t h r o ug h telling, h e a ring a n d re a di ng will n o t las t long. Whereas,
t h e fait h gaine d fro m ex pe rience will las t forever."
"Atte n di ng a lect u re o n t he t he ory of cooking will n o t re m ove h u nger. Knowle dge
alo n e is n o t e n o ug h; t o p r actice w ha t we gra s p intellect ually is m o r e im p o r t a n t."
"Spirit u ality is a n experie nce. To really k n ow it all inter p re t a tio n s a n d
ex pla n a tio n s s h o ul d e n d. The re s h o ul d n o t be a ny inner t alking or a ny
ju dge m e n t s. All inte r p re ta tio n s are bo r rowe d idea s. They are all re pe titio n s.
Spirit u ality ca n be expe rie nce d o nly in s tillne s s a n d silence."
"What differe nce is t he re be twee n s o m e o ne w ho gives s peec he s a n d a t a p e
reco r d e r? Will re a di ng cook bo ok s s a tisfy o u r h u nge r?"
"You ca n t r ain a p a r ro t t o s ay: 'Bra h m a n, Brah m a n.' But w he n a cat co m e s by, it
will cry in fear. Ins te a d of j u s t re pea ting wor d s, we h ave t o a b s o r b t h e p ri nciple."
"Following t h e Pat h of Knowle dge wit h o u t d evotio n is like eating s t o ne s. We
s h o ul d t hi n k t h a t God is o u r ow n Self a n d wor s hi p Hi m s eeing all for m s as
differe n t a s p ect s of t he s a m e God."
"You h ave h e a r d t h a t h o n ey is sweet. You m ay p u t s o m e in you r h a n d. But u nles s
yo u t a s te it wit h you r t o ng ue, yo u ca n n o t ex pe rie nce t h e sweet n e s s."
"Can yo u ex plain t he bea u ty of a flower, or d e sc ribe t he sweet ne s s of s uga r? So
h o w ca n t h e bea u ty of t h e Infinite be d e scribe d? It h a s t o be ex pe rie nce d."
"Repeating, 'I a m Brah m a n' wit ho u t d oi ng a ny s a d h a n a is like calling a blin d child
by t h e n a m e 'Prakas h a m ' (ligh t)."
"Is it e n o u g h t o sit in a p a r ke d car s t a ri ng a t a m a p? Sats a ng o nly t eac he s s pirit u al
p ri nciples; we h ave t o p u t t h e s e p ri nciples in t o d aily p r actice a n d live accor di ng
t o t h e m in o r d er t o m ove forwar d o n t h e s pirit ual p a t h. This is w hy s a d h a n a
(spirit u al p r actices) is p e rfo r m e d."
"If we p u t t h e differe n t p a r t s of a ra dio t oge t he r in t he p r o p e r m a n n e r a n d
co n n ect it t o a ba t t ery, t he n we ca n h e a r t h e p r ogra m s b r oa dca s t by a dis ta n t
s t a tio n while sit ting in o u r ow n h o m e. By living accor di ng t o t he s pirit u al
te ac hi ng s, we ca n e njoy infinite bliss eve n w hile living in t h e b o dy."
"When we ar e h u ngry we eat ju s t e n o ug h foo d t o a p p e a se o u r h u nger, a n d n o t all
t h e foo d in t h e kitc he n. Many sc h olar s was te t h eir lives ea ti ng t he w hole t hi ng."
"Scrip t u r e s, like a sign boa r d, p oin t t he way; in o r d e r t o reac h t h e d e s ti na tio n, yo u
h ave t o follow t he ins t r uc tio n s a n d m ove forwa r d, n o t s t a n d rea di ng t h e b oa r d
again a n d again."

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 Am rita Sutr a

"Many sc h olars are like t h o se w ho s t ay a t t h e r ailway s t a tio n m e m o rising t h e t r ain

sc h e d ule. Will t h ey reac h a nyw here?"
"By ea ti ng t he pict u re of a ba n a n a, you wo n' t get t h e t a s te or n o u ris h m e n t of t h e
fr uit. Scrip t u r al s t u dy is n eces s ary, b u t s a d h a n a is n ee d e d t o be nefit fro m it."
"We s pit o u t t h e re si d u e after we e njoy t h e juice of t he s ugarca ne. In t h e s a m e way
we s h o ul d t ake t he es s e nce of t h e sc ri p t u re s a n d di sca r d t h e res t."
"Veda n t a h a s n o t hi ng t o d o wit h rea di ng o r giving s peec he s. It is a p ri nciple t o be
a d o p t e d in d aily life."

On Attitude towards Life
"Jus t like a swa n, which extrac ts o nly milk fro m a mixt u re of milk a n d wate r, t ry
t o s ee o nly t he goo d in everyt hing."

Good Company
"Once, a te m ple a n d a liqu or s h o p ke p t p a r r o t s a s p e t s. While t he te m ple p a r r o t
ch a n te d Vedic m a n t ra s, t he p a r r o t in t he liq uor s h o p u t te re d o b sce nities.
Child re n, o n e s co n d uc t is d e te r mi ne d by t he co m p a ny o ne kee p s."

Look within
"If a piece of s a n d alwoo d is left lying in t he m u d, its o u te r p a r t will beco m e
r o t t e n. But w ha t a wo n d e rf ul fragra nce we ca n s till get fro m it if we clea n it a n d
r u b it o n a s t o ne! As long a s we a re im m e r se d in worl dly t hi ngs, we ca n n o t e njoy
t h e frag ra nce of t h e inner Self."

Learn from Sorrows
"Child re n, w hy lose all yo u r s t re ngt h by grieving? What goo d will it d o you? Get
n ew e n t h u sias m a n d p r ocee d in life."
"There is a black crow in t he co m p a ny of w hite cra ne s. Only beca u s e black is
p r e se n t ca n we a p p reciate t h e bea u ty of w hite. Sorrow s ca n teac h u s t he value of
joy."

Detachment
"No o n e b rings a nyt hi ng into t his worl d, n o r t akes a nyt hi ng wit h hi m."
"A p e r s o n w ho was very fo n d of sweet di s h e s was h el ping hi m s elf t o a s eco n d
s erving, w he n a liza r d fell in his pla te. He los t all fo n d n e s s for t h e swee t s a n d
t h r ew it away. Likewise, w he n o n e realises t he limit s of worl dly pleas u re,
a t t ac h m e n t t o t he m will wit her away."

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 Am rita Sutr a

"Not hing in t his m a t e rial worl d is everlas ting. Everyt hi ng ca n go a t a nyti m e.

Therefo re, live in t his worl d kee pi ng t he alert n e s s of a bir d p e rc he d o n a d ry twig.
It k n ows t h a t a t a ny ti m e t he twig ca n b rea k."

Desire
"Where t h e r e is fire, t h e re is s m o ke. Where t h ere is d e sire t h ere is s o r row."
"Cert ain pla n t s wo n' t bea r fr uit if t h ey h ave t o o m a ny leaves; t hey n ee d t o be
p r u n e d. We h ave t o get ri d of d e sires for worl dly plea s u re s if we wa n t t o re a p t h e
fr uit of Go d - ex perie nce."

Effort
"You ca n't lear n t o swi m by sit ting o n t h e si de of t he p o ol; yo u h ave t o get into t h e
water."
"When water is leaking int o t h e b oa t, it is n o t e no ug h t o ju s t sit t h e re p r aying t o
Go d fo r t h e h ole t o be pl ugge d. You h ave t o t ry t o pl ug t he leak you r s elf."

Body and Soul
"Our b o dy is p e ris h a ble. Only t h e Soul is p e r m a n e n t. This is a re n te d b o dy. We will
b e a s ke d t o leave a t a ny ti m e. Before t h a t, we s h o ul d look for a place in a
p e r m a n e n t a bo d e. The n, w he n we leave t he b o dy we wo ul d m ove t o t h a t
p e r m a n e n t a bo d e, t he e ter n al h o u se of God."

Death
"When a b alloo n b u r s t s, it d o e s n' t m e a n t h a t t he air, w hich was in it, cea se s t o
exis t. Deat h d o e s n o t b ring t h e e n d of t he Self, b u t of t h e ins t r u m e n t calle d t h e
b o dy."

The Mind
"Don't let yo ur life go t o wa s te by bei ng a slave t o you r mi n d! Don't b ar t er away a
p riceles s jewel for a piece of ca n dy."

The Value of Things
"What u s e are h u n d r e d s of r u p ee s in o u r h a n d s w he n we are in n ee d of firewoo d
t o cook o u r m e al? Tha t's t h e value of t hi ngs."

On our Attitude towards Others

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"There a re two kin d s of h a p pi ne s s a n d s o r row. Whe n we d o n' t get w ha t we wa n t,

we feel s a d; b u t w he n ot he r s get w ha t t hey wis h, o u r s a d ne s s is eve n grea ter.
Similarly, we are h a p py w he n we s uccee d in s o m e t hi ng, b u t we a re h a p pier w he n
o t h e r s fail. This is a s erio u s di sea se of t he mi n d. Pray for a h e ar t t h a t rejoices in
t h e h a p pi n e s s of o t he rs a n d e m p a t hise s wit h t h eir s o r row s."
"Praying t o God t h a t n o n e of o u r t h o ug h t s, wor d s o r d ee d s will ever h a r m a nyo n e,
b u t t h a t t h ey will always be nefit o t h er s is real p r ayer."
"Sad h a n a d oe s n' t m e a n ju s t p r aying a n d d oi ng ja p a; real p r ayer inclu de s being
co m p a s sio n a te a n d h u m ble t owar d s o t h er s."
"A m o t h e r d oe s n o t mi n d clea ning u p t he m e s s of h e r ba by, beca u s e s h e feels t h e
b a by is h e r s. We s h o ul d h ave t h e s a m e feeling t owa r d s everyo ne, a n d t h e n we
wo n't feel a ny aver sio n or disg u s t."
"Jus t a s t h e righ t h a n d co me s t o d re s s t he wo u n d o n t h e left h a n d, we s h o ul d s ee
a n o t h e r p e r s o n' s s o r r ow s a s o u r ow n a n d co me t o his or h e r ai d."
"We wo n' t b e a d mit te d t o God' s worl d wit h o u t t h e sign a t u re of eve n t h e s m alles t
a n t o n o u r e n t ry p a p e r s."
"We will d e s erve realisatio n o nly w he n we s ee in a beggar t he One w ho m we
p r o s t r a te t o in t h e t e m ple."
"The si n of ca u sing t ea r s in a n in noce n t p e r s o n is m o r e h a r m f ul t h a n a ny evil
d ee d."
"There is a differe nce be twee n b uying m e dicine t o relieve yo u r ow n p ai n a n d
going o u t t o get m e dicine for s o m e o n e else. The latter s h ow s a loving h e a rt."
"If o t h e r s t h r ow t h o r n s a t you, you s h o ul d be able t o t h r ow flower s back a t t h e m.
If o t h e r s give u s p ois o n, we s h o ul d give t he m swee t s. Sad h a n a is t o cultivate s u c h
a mi n d."
"To wa s h away t he feeling of 'I' a n d ' mi ne', u s e t h e s oa p of 'you'."

On Sadhana (Spiritual Practices)
"If yo u t hi n k yo u will j u m p in t h e s ea o nly after t he waves s u b si de, yo u will n ever
b e a ble t o go in t h e water. Do n't t hin k you ca n p r ay a n d co m m u nicate wit h Go d
o nly w he n yo ur mi n d is p u re. Don't d elay s t a r ti ng s pirit ual p r ac tices."
"God in u s is like t he t ree wit hin t he see d. How will it s o u n d if t h e see d clai m s, "I
a m a t ree!" The s ee d h a s t o go u n d e r t h e s oil, s p r o u t a n d t he see dling h a s t o gr ow
u p. This is w hy s pirit u al p r actices a re p e rfor m e d. Whe n t he s ee d beco m e s a t ree
we ca n ch ain a n ele p h a n t t o it; b u t if we d o n' t p r o t ect it in t h e ea rly s t ages, bir d s
will p eck it."
"When yo u s ow a see d, it n ee d s t o be p r o t ecte d fro m t he s u n. But o nce it h a s
grow n int o a t ree, it will h ave t h e s t re ng t h t o wit h s t a n d t h e s u n. Similarly, a
s a d h a k s h o ul d eat si m ple sattvic (pure) foo d in t h e begin ni ng."

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Environment
"Ap ple t r ee s n ee d a s uita ble clim a te t o grow. The a s h ra m is t he m o s t a p p r o p riate
e nviro n m e n t for s pirit u al p r actice."
"Going t o a n a s h r a m o r a te m ple is fine, b u t o u r m ai n ai m s h o ul d be t o p u rify o u r
mi n d. Co u n tle s s t ri p s t o h oly places wo n' t d o u s a ny goo d if we ca n n o t re m ove
t h e s elfis h n e s s in u s a n d o u r h a t re d t owar d s o t h er s."
"There is win d everyw here. Still we u s e fa n s, d o n' t we? Isn't t he co m fo r t we get in
t h e s h a d e of a t ree s o m e t hi ng s p ecial? Te m ples are places w he re God is
re m e m b e re d con s t a n tly. There is a s pecial p e ace a n d cool nes s in t he te m ple
e nviro n m e n t."

Discipline
"Tho se w h o h ave t he h a bit of d rin ki ng tea a t a reg ular ti me will get a h e a d ac he if
t h ey d o n ' t get t heir t ea. If we m a k e a sc he d ule for all o u r activities a n d s t rictly
o b s erve it, it will d evelo p int o a h a bit. It is highly be neficial t o follow s uc h a
r o u ti ne in o ne's s a d h a n a."
"Don't yo u t a ke sick leave w he n yo u a re n o t well, eve n if t h e re is a lot of
u n finis h e d work in t he office? In t h e s a m e way, eve n w he n you h ave
re s p o n sibilities a n d work t o d o, t ry t o s e t a si de o n e d ay for s a d h a n a."

Japa
"Child re n, w he n yo u r mi n d is re s tles s t ry t o cha n t yo ur m a n t r a. Do n't seek s olace
in a nyt hing else. Like childre n re pe a ti ng s o ng s w hile sit ti ng, walking or going t o
t h e b a t h r o o m, always kee p re p ea ting yo ur m a n t r a."
"Don't b e dis hea r te ne d if you d o n' t see a ny res ult s in s pite of all you r effor t. Each
re p e titio n of t he m a n t r a h a s a n effect, yo u a re j u s t n o t awa re of it."
"To co n s t a n tly re m e m b e r God is n o t you r h a bit; t o cultivate it, ja pa is t h e
p r e scrip tio n."
"It is n o t p o s sible for everybo dy t o fix his or h e r mi n d o n t he Sup re m e Principal
ju s t t h r o u g h m e dit atio n o n t h e Self. But Ja pa a n d si nging d evotio n al s o ng s a re a
way t h a t s uit s everyo ne."
"A d oc t o r will p r e scribe m e dicine a n d tell t h e p a tie n t t o t a ke re s t a n d avoi d
cer tai n fo o d s for t h e di sea s e t o be cu re d. Similarly, t he Rishis h ave t a ug h t t h a t if a
m a n t r a is cha n te d in a p r e scribe d way, t h e n certai n re s ult s will accr ue. If we
follow t h eir ins t r uctio n s m e ticulo u sly, we will d efinitely get t he fr uit of it."

Meditation
"If a p e r s o n w ho d o e s n' t h ave t h e s t re ng t h t o lift m o r e t h a n for ty kilos s u d d e nly
lifts a h u n d r e d kilos, h e will s t agger a n d fall. Similarly if you m e di ta te m o re t h a n
t h e b o dy is a ble t o bea r, it ca n lea d you t o p r o ble m s."

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"Any wo r k yo u d o w hile kee ping co n s t a n t re m e m b r a nce of God is of t he s a m e

value a s m e dita tio n. When fis he r m e n p u t a bo a t o u t t o se a, t h ey close t heir eyes
a n d wit h lo u d cries p u s h h a r d t o get p a s t t h e waves. Everyo ne row s h a r d wit ho u t
s t o p pi ng u n til t hey get beyo n d t h e waves. After t h a t t hey ca n s et t h e oa r s a si d e
a n d re s t. It is t h e s a m e wit h m e dita tio n. In t h e begin ni ng s t ages o ne s h o ul d n' t
eve n r e s t for a n ins ta n t."

Tapas (Austerities)
"An o r din a ry p e r s o n ca n be co m p a re d t o a s m all ca n dle, w hile a p e r s o n d oi ng
t a p a s is like a p ower t ra n sfo r m e r, ca p a ble of dis t rib u ti ng p ower over a wide a rea."
"To p a s s a n exa m you h ave t o s t u dy. To d rive a car you h ave t o lear n d riving.
Ta p a s is t h e t r aining yo u u n d e rgo t o t ra n sfor m t he im p u re mi n d into a divine
mi n d."
"The r es ult of d oi ng t a p a s ca n be co m p a re d t o t he s u n acq uiring a wo n de rf ul
frag ra nce."

Solitude
"We h ave t o p re p a re t he field before s owing s ee d s; we h ave t o get ri d of wee d s
a n d plo ug h t he ear t h. As t he cro p begin s t o grow we h ave t o kee p re m oving t h e
wee d s. But after t he pla n t s a re fully - grow n we d o n' t n ee d t o wor ry ab o u t t h e
wee d s. The pla n t s are s t r o ng e no ug h t o re sis t t he m. Similarly, in t h e begin ni ng
s t age s a s a d h a k h a s t o d o Sad h a n a in s olit u de."
"When yo u p u m p water t o a hig he r level, yo u wo n't s uccee d if t h e re is a leak a t t h e
b o t t o m of t h e sys te m. In t h e s a m e way we n ee d t o give u p o u r exte r n al intere s t s
by d oing Sad ha n a in s olit u de."
"We go t o a n o pe n field t o lear n h ow t o d rive. Likewise a s a d h a k s h o ul d d o his
p r ac tice in s olit u de."
"A s t u d e n t ca n n o t sit a n d s t u dy in a n oisy crow de d railway s t a tio n, ca n h e?
Similarly a s a d h a k n ee d s s olit u d e in t he begin ni ng. After a cer tain a m o u n t of
p r ac tice h e will be able t o m e dita te u n d e r a ny co n ditio n."
"There m ay be waves in t h e wate r of a d a m, b u t n o water is los t. But if t h e d a m
b r eak s, all t he wa ter will go away. There m ay be t h o ug h t dis t u r b a nces in s olit u d e
b u t a s a d h a k lose s hi s s u b tle e nergy w he n h e t alks a n d a s s ociates wit h o t he r s
w hile d oi ng his p r ac tice."

Effect
"If yo u t u r n o n t h e m ai n switc h, electricity is available everyw he re in t h e h o u s e.
But if yo u wa n t light in yo ur ow n r oo m, yo u h ave t o t u r n o n t he switc he s in t h a t
p a r tic ular r oo m. Tur ni ng o n t h e light in o ne r oo m d o e s n' t a u t o m a tically light u p
all t h e r o o m s. Everyt hing is t h e s a m e Self, b u t o nly t he p e r s o n wh o p u rifies his
mi n d t h r o u g h Sad h a n a realises t h a t Self."
"You are like a s m all t a ble la m p t h a t gives ju s t e n o ug h light t o rea d a bo ok, if t h e

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b o o k is h el d close t o t he la m p. But if yo u d o Sad ha n a wit h s t ro ng inte n t a n d

eli min a te t h e ego, you will s hi ne like t he s u n."
"Cha n ting a m a n t ra, m e dita tio n wit h co nce n t ra tio n a n d o t h er s pirit u al p r actices
p e rf o r m e d si ncerely ca n re m ove t he ba d a s t r ological effects of pla ne t s m o re
effectively t h a n a nyt hing else."
"Thin k of a p o ol wit h b r ackis h wa ter. If you p o u r a little water int o o ne si de of t h e
p o ol, yo u re d uce t h e a m o u n t of s alt in t h a t a rea for a w hile. But if it rain s h eavily
fo r a w hile, t he e n tire p o ol will be affecte d. In t h e s a m e way, fro m d oi ng s pirit u al
p r ac tices wit h a n ex pa n sive mi n d, a n infinite p owe r awake n s in t h e seeke r. This
d o e s n' t h a p p e n t o a scie n tis t, beca u s e hi s object of m e dita tio n is limite d."
"Doing goo d d ee d s, going t o te m ple s a n d a s h r a m s a n d e ngaging in t h o ug h t s of
Go d; all s pirit u al p r actices m a ke o u r p r a ra b d h a (pre se n t's life ka r m a) ligh ter.
Des tiny ca n be cha nge d t h r o ug h t a p a s (aus terities) a n d Sad h a n a. Even d e a t h ca n
b e aver te d."

Siddhis 
"Realisatio n is beyo n d all si d d his (s pirit u al p ower s). If yo u a s k God o nly for
si d d his, it is like s t r uggling t o reac h t h e r oyal co u r t a n d a s king for a few
goo s ebe r ries w he n you get t o m e e t t h e king."

Forms
"Child re n n ee d s o m e bea d s o r m a r bles t o lear n h ow t o co u n t. Once t h ey h ave
lear n t, t h ey n o longer n ee d t h e m. With t he h el p of a floating log, you ca n easily
lear n t o swi m. Once you k n ow h ow t o swi m, yo u d o n' t n ee d t h e log. Similarly,
o nce yo u im bibe t he es se nce of Spirit u ality, you d o n' t n ee d te m ples a n d rit uals."
"If yo u look a t a p ai n ti ng of yo u r fat her, is it yo u r fat her or t h e p ai n te r t h a t yo u
s ee? Go d is everyw he re, b u t s till w he n you see t he image in a te m ple, you
re m e m b e r Him."
"It is ea sier t o ca tc h a chicke n by offering it foo d t h a n by cha si ng it. Thro ug h
n a m e a n d for m t h e mi n d ca n be b ro ug h t u n d e r co n t r ol."
"When a p olice m a n a p p ea r s in his u nifor m, p e o ple a ro u n d hi m follow or de r a n d
disci pline. But w he n h e co m e s in off - d u ty clot he s, t he p e o ple's a t tit u d e is
differe n t. This is t h e i m p o r t a nce of t h e o u t si de for m."
"When we get o n a b u s, we are n o t pla n ni ng t o live in it, are we? Our ai m is t o
reac h h o m e. It is t h e s a m e wit h t h e wor s hi p of for m s."
"A flag is m o r e t h a n a piece of m a te rial. It sy m b olises a n ideal. Tha t' s why p e o ple
wo n't t oler ate a ny dis re s pect s h ow n t owar d s it. In t he s a m e way a te m ple is a
sy m b ol of God."
"The fo r m of t he cho se n d eity is like a la d d e r. Jus t as all s h a d ow s di sa p p ea r at
hig h n o o n, all for m s will eq u ally m e rge in t he for mle s s."

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General 
"You ca n t a ke birt h in a te m ple, b u t d o n' t die t he re. That is t o s ay t h a t, in t he
b egin ni ng, a seeker ca n d o te m ple wor s hi p as s te p pi ng s t o ne, b u t t h e final a n d
real goal is beyo n d all t he s e t hi ngs."
"Sad h a n a s h o ul d beco m e p a r t of o u r n a t u re, like b r u s hi ng o u r tee t h a n d t aking a
b a t h."
"Asking h o w m a ny ti m e s o ne s h o ul d cha n t t h e m a n t r a is like a s king h ow m u c h
water s h o ul d be given t o a pla n t for it t o yield fr uit. Watering is re q uire d, b u t t h e
a m o u n t of wate r d e p e n d s o n t h e n a t u re of t h e pla n t, cli m a te, q u ality of t he s oil
a n d s o o n. Water alo ne is n o t e n o ug h. The pla n t n ee d s s u nlight, fertiliser, air,
p r o tectio n fro m p e s t s, etc. Similarly o n t he s pirit u al p a t h, cha n ti ng t h e m a n t r a is
o nly o n e facet. Goo d d ee d s, goo d t h o ug h t s a n d a s s ociatio n wit h virt u o u s p e o ple
a re also n eces s a ry."
"We m ay h ave a m u sical t ale n t, b u t o nly if we p r actice reg ularly ca n we beco m e a
goo d si nger."
"Travel ca n be d o n e by wa ter, air a n d lan d, b u t t he d e s ti na tio n will be t h e s a m e.
Similarly, all t he differe n t m e t h o d s of s a d h a n a will lea d t o t he s a m e goal."
"If yo u d o s pirit ual p r ac tices a n d s till get involve d in a variety of worl dly t hi ng s,
all t h e p ower gaine d t h r o ug h co nce n t r a tio n will be lost."
"A p o t t h a t h a s co n t ai ne d s o m e t hi ng s o u r h a s t o be clea ne d t h o r o ug hly before
yo u ca n p u t milk in it. Ot herwise t h e milk will go b a d."
"If yo u h ave a n exa mi n a tio n o r a job interview, will you s ay yo u were late beca u se
t h e re was n o water or electricity? You s h o ul d d o you r s a d h a n a wit h t h e s a m e
a t tit u d e."

On Qualities of a Spiritual Seeker
Detachment
"A coco n u t see d ca n n o t s p r o u t before it falls fro m t he m o t h e r t ree. Detac h m e n t is
n eces s ary for s pirit ual grow t h."
"Jus t a s t h e flower falls w he n t he fr uit t ake s s h a p e, worl dly d e sire s will di sa p p e ar
w h e n d e t ac h m e n t ri pe n s."
"A s pirit u al s eeker s h o ul d n' t m ai n t ain his fa mily b o n d s. Tha t is like r owing a b o a t
tie d t o t h e s h o re. No m a t te r h ow h a r d you row t he bo a t, you wo n' t get t o t h e o t h er
s h o r e. Attac h m e n t s a re a hi n d r a nce t o s pirit u al p r ogre s s."

Discrimination
"If we k n ow t h a t firework s are being s h o t, t he n ext b a ng wo n' t s t a r tle u s. In t h e

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s a m e way, k n ow t he n a t u re of t his worl d a n d d o n o t lose eq uilibriu m."

"With fire we ca n b u r n d ow n o u r h o m e o r cook o u r m e al. With a n ee dle we ca n
pierce o u r eye o r s titc h o u r clot he s. Move alo ng you r p a t h wit h co n s t a n t
discri min a tio n."
"When we k n ow t he j uice is insi de t he fr uit, we p eel t he fr uit a n d t h r ow t he p eel
away. With s uc h a n a t tit u d e, a s a d h ak will look for t he es se nce of everyt hi ng."

Learning from Sorrows
"If a t h o r n p ricks yo u r foot whe n you walk, yo u will s te p m o re carefully. Th u s yo u
m ay esca p e falling into a ditc h t h a t m ay be j u s t a hea d. God gives u s s m all s o r r ows
t o s ave u s. Lear n t o s ee all t he joys a n d s ufferings t h a t co m e t o you a s se n t by
Go d fo r yo u r ow n goo d."

Faith
"A p e r s o n w ho believes in God a n d follow s t h e s pirit ual p ri nci ples a s his ideal
ca n n o t b eco m e a slave t o b a d h a bit s. If yo u h ave fir m fait h in God, t he re will b e
o nly h a p pi ne s s in you r life."
"It is n o t e n o ug h t o believe in t he d oc t o r, you h ave t o t a ke t h e m e dicine t h a t h e
p r e scribes t o get cu re d. Likewise b o t h fait h a n d s a d h a n a (practices) a re n ee d e d."

Alertness
"So me p e o ple working nig h t s hift s a t facto ries d o n' t slee p for two o r t h ree nig h t s
in a r ow. Still t hey d o n' t fall a slee p in fro n t of t h e m ac hine s. If t hey lose
co nce n t r a tio n eve n for a m o m e n t, t hey k n ow t hey wo ul d lose t h eir h a n d s a n d jo b s
a s well. So t hey m a n age t o kee p awake. We s h o ul d h ave t he s a m e alert ne s s a n d
wakef ul ne s s w he n we sit for m e dit a tio n."

God Awareness
"There a re n o o b s t acles o n t he p a t h of a p e r s o n w ho is co n s t a n tly aware of Go d.
For hi m, all sit ua tio n s are rega r de d a s favo u ra ble."

Looking Within
"A m u s k d ee r s ea rc hes for t he s o u rce of t he fragra nce of m u s k, b u t it wo n' t fin d
it, b eca u se t h e fragra nce co m e s fro m wit hi n itself. Bliss is n o t t o be fo u n d o u t si d e
of u s; it exis t s wit hi n u s."
"The kee p e r of a wild a ni m al h a s t o watc h it all t h e ti me. But t he kee pe r of a
gar d e n ju s t h a s t o kee p wa tc h a t t h e gate, e njoying t h e sig h t a n d fragra nce of
flower s. Likewise, if you go after worl dly life, you r mi n d will b o t he r you
co n s t a n tly; if yo u t u r n yo ur a t te n tio n wit hi n, yo u ca n e njoy t h e bea u ty of life."

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Compassion
"No o n e ca n ex pe rie nce t he Self u n til his h e a r t is fille d wit h co m p a s sio n. You
ca n n o t b uild a h o u s e ju s t by piling u p b ricks; you n ee d ce m e n t t o h ol d t he b rick s
t oget h er. Similarly, we ca n n o t b uild t he s te p s lea ding t o God wit ho u t a d di ng t h e
bin di ng q u ality of love."

Forgiveness
"Su p p o se yo u accide n t ally p o ke yo u r eye wit h o ne of yo ur h a n d s. Your ot he r h a n d
d o e s n' t sla p t he h a n d t h a t h u r t t h e eye. You si m ply forgive yo u r h a n d. Similar
s h o ul d b e t h e a t tit u d e if o t he r s h u r t yo u. Ret u r ning a nger wit h a nger is like
p o king a wo u n d; forgivenes s is like a p plying m e dicine."
"When yo u accide n t ally s t u m ble agains t s o m e t hing, you r foo t is h u r t. Som eti me s
yo u accide n t ally cu t yo u h a n d s. But you d o n' t get a ngry t owar d s you r h a n d s a n d
legs, beca u se t h ey are p a r t s of you r ow n b o dy. Look u p o n ot he r s a s being p a r t s of
yo u r s elves. The n yo u will forgive t h o s e w ho d o h a r m t o yo u."

Patience
"Don't feel b a d if s o m e o n e s p e ak s ill of you. Isn't it beca u se of d a r k ne s s t h a t we
s ee t h e ligh t? The s ee d of co u r age s p ro u t s o nly in t he s oil of p a tie nce."

Good Company
"The co m p a ny of d a r k - m i n d e d p e o ple is like e n te ring a ro o m full of coal. Even if
we d o n' t t o uc h t h e coal, o u r b o dies will be black w he n we co m e o u t."

Tyaga (Renunciation)
"Every act d o ne wit h o u t a p e r s o n al intere s t is tyaga . Taking you r sick child t o t h e
h o s pital u n d e r a dver se sit u a tio n s is n o t tyaga; w he n yo u d o t h a t for s o m e b o dy
else's child t h a t is tyaga."

Love for God
"A r eal s a d h a k d oe s n't d o m e dit atio n accor di ng t o s o m e sc he d ule; his love for
Go d is b eyo n d all r ules."
"To s o m e o n e w ho h a s a fever, eve n swee t t hi ngs will t a s te bit ter. Similarly if yo u
h ave t h e fever of love for God, yo u r mi n d will n o t go t owar d s a nyt hi ng else."
"A s a d h a k s h o ul d h ave t owar d s God t h e s a m e a t tit u d e t h a t a lover h a s t owar d s
his b elove d."

Intent on the Goal
"When yo u s e t o u t wit h a s t r o ng d e sire t o reac h a certain place, n o o b s t acle ca n

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s t o p yo u. Such s h o ul d be you r inte n t for you r s pirit ual goal."

"When tw o lovers a re sit ting t oge t he r, t hey wo n' t like it if a nyo ne co m e s n ea r
t h e m. Similarly, a real s a d h a k d o e s n' t like a nyt hi ng t h a t is n o t relate d t o God."
"Stu d e n t s w ho wa n t t o p a s s a n exa mi na tio n will n o t feel like slee ping. They will
s t ay u p a t nigh t a n d s t u dy. Such a n a t tit u d e co m e s n a t u r ally t o a s a d h a k."
"Thin k of s o m e o ne wh o ca n n o t swi m p r o p e rly a n d falls int o d ee p wate r. How h a r d
h e will s t r uggle t o s ave his life. You h ave t o kee p a si milar co n s t a n t u rge t o reac h
yo u r s pirit u al goal."
"If s o m e o n e s m e a re d chilly p a s t e all over yo u r b o dy, t hi nk h ow yo u wo ul d
s t r uggle t o esca pe t h e b u r ni ng. You s h o ul d pi ne t o s ee God wit h t h e s a m e
in te n sity."
"Su p p o se s t r o ng win d s a n d h eavy r ain s s ta r t ju s t a s we a re a b o u t t o go
s o m ew h er e. If we beco m e scare d a n d s t ay back, we wo n't reac h o u r d e s ti na tio n.
One w h o h a s a s t r o ng d e sire t o reac h t he goal will igno re all o b s t acles a n d go
fo rwar d."

Surrender
"If a t h r ea d is t hick o r o u t of s h a p e, it will n o t p a s s t h r o ug h t he eye of a n ee dle.
The t h r ea d h a s t o be co m p r e s s e d. Tha t s u r re n de r o n t he p a r t of t h e t h re a d
e n a bles it t o s ew t oget he r co u n tles s piece s of clot h."
"We h ave t o explain t h e b ackgro u n d of o u r case t o t h e lawyer; we h ave t o d e scribe
o u r sy m p t o m s t o t he d oc t or. But we d o n' t n ee d t o p re s e n t o u r p r o ble m s t o Go d.
He k n ow s everyt hing. So s u r re n d er everyt hi ng t o Him a n d re m e m b e r Hi m
co n s t a n tly."

Humility
"The b u b bles in t h e water will b rea k if we t ry t o pick t h e m u p. Attac h m e n t a n d
aver sio n a re n o t t hi ngs t h a t we ca n pick u p a n d di scar d. We s h o ul d recog nise t h a t
we ar e Go d's ins t r u m e n t s a n d d evelo p t h e a t tit u d e of a s e rva n t."
"Thin k of yo u r self a s God's s e rva n t. The n you wo n' t feel a ngry wit h a nyo ne. You
will b eco m e h u m ble."
"However p owerf ul a cyclone is, it ca n n o t d o a nyt hing t o a bla de of gras s. All
grace will flow t o u s if we a re h u m ble. God will n o t abi de w here t he re is ego."
"The s ee d co n t ain s t h e t ree, b u t if it is left lying in t h e s t o re ro o m, mice will ea t it.
Only by going u n d e r t he s oil will its t r ue for m e m e rge."
"The r o a d sign s glow w he n t h e light s of t h e a p p r o ac hing vehicles s hi ne o n t he m.
Can t h e r o a d sign s ay: "Those vehicles r u n beca u s e of m y light."

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On Negative Emotions

Anger
"When yo u get a ngry, you loose e nergy t h r o ug h you r eyes, n o se, m o u t h, ea rs a n d
every p o re of you r bo dy. Only by p r ac tising m e n t al re s t r ain t ca n yo u p r e se rve t h e
e n e rgy gaine d fro m s a d h a n a."
"Doing s a d h a n a w hile h a r b o u ri ng a nger a n d d e sire is like d r awing water fro m a
well wit h a b ucket full of h oles."

Anger and Pride 
"You wo n' t be nefit fro m s a d h a n a if you d o s pirit ual p r actices w hile h a r bo u ring
a nger a n d p ri de. It is like a flas hligh t r u n ni ng o n b a t te ries t h a t loose s all p owe r
af ter being t u r n e d o n a n u m b e r of ti m e s."

On Worldly Life
"It is p o s sible t o reac h you r s pirit u al goal w hile lea ding a fa mily life, p r ovide d yo u
re m ai n d e t ac he d, like a fis h in m u d dy wa ter. Perfor m you r d u ties t owar d s you r
fa mily a s yo u r d u ty t owar d s God. In a d ditio n t o yo ur h u s b a n d o r wife, yo u s h o ul d
h ave a frie n d a n d t h a t s h o ul d be God."
"Why d o p a re n t s love t heir childre n? Becau se t hey ca m e fro m t heir fles h a n d
bloo d, a n d beca u s e t h ey grew u p wit h t he m. It is n o t love, it is a s elfis h
a t t ac h m e n t. Ot herwise, wo ul d n't t hey love all childre n e q u ally?"
"Do n o t a b a n d o n you r wife o r h u s b a n d a n d childre n b u t let yo u r hig her b o n d b e
wit h Go d."
"Worldly love is like being care s se d by s o m e o n e wit h p ois o n o u s h a n d s. It b ring s
h a p pi n es s for a s h o r t ti m e, t h e n a lot of s uffering follows. It is like t h e h o n ey o n
t h e ti p of a n ee dle. If yo u t ry t o e njoy t h e h o n ey, t he n ee dle will pierce you r
t o ng u e."

Heart and Intellect
"The intellect always cu t s a n d divide s like a p air of scis so r s. The h e a r t s ews t hing s
t oget h er a n d u nite s like a n ee dle. The t ailor u s e s bo t h."

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God Within
"A dia m o n d h a s a n a t u r al b rilliance, b u t w he n it falls int o oil it looses its lus ter.
Similarly, we are n o t a ble t o recog ni z e God wit hin, beca u s e we a re im m e r se d in
t h e m a t erial worl d."

Imbedded Tendencies (Vasanas)
"The lo nely jackal rea s s u re s hi m s elf t h a t h e will n o t h owl t h e n ext ti m e h e sees a
d og. But w he n h e s ees a d og h e forget s everyt hing a n d s t a r t s h owling lou dly."

Reincarnation
"Last m o n t h we lear ne d a s o ng a n d we ca n't re m e m b e r it n ow. But ca n we s ay we
di d n' t lear n t h e s o ng? It m ay be im p o s sible for yo u t o recall yo u r p reviou s lives,
b u t a p u r e s o ul ca n."

Experience
"Even a n inex pe rie nce d d river ca n d rive a car in a n e m p ty field. But o nly a goo d
d river d rives s afely t h o ug h crow de d s t reet s."
"Irrigate t h e field of t he mi n d wit h t h e water of d evotio n; s ow t he s ee d of
k n owle dge a n d rea p t h e fr uit of libera tio n."

Sannyas
"Will a m a n beco m e a wo m a n ju s t by wearing wo m e n' s clot he s? Will a wo m a n t u r n
in to a m a n if s he d re s s e s like a m a n? Nobo dy t u r n s into a San nya si by grab bing a
piece of oc h re clot h a n d wra p pi ng hi m s elf in it. One h a s t o di p o ne s mi n d in
oc h r e."

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