Chapter XI

Man has to achieve many objects during his life. The highest and the most valuable of these is winning the Mercy of God, the Love of God. The love of God will add unto him the great wisdom he needs for attaining unshakable Santi or Inner Peace. Every one should endeavour to have an understanding of the true nature of God-head. Of course, man cannot, at the very beginning of his attempt, grasp the unmanifest Absolute phenomenon. He has, at first, to impose a form and some attributes to bring it within reach. Then, step by step, he must try to enshrine it in himself, as the descent of Divine Energy (Sakthipaath). The person engaged in the pursuit of success in this effort is not a mere individual seeker entitled to pursue the goal. He has to cultivate also the spirit of service (Seva) and be engaged in good deeds which earn the gratitude of people. Thus only can he accomplish the task of cleaning the levels of his consciousness (chittha) and become a fit candidate for spiritual victory.

Sanyasa or Monkhood does not mean the mere acceptance of the fourth stage of life and its rights and obligations, retirement into forests after breaking off contact with the world and leading the austere life of ascetics. The Sanyasi must move among people, become aware of their sorrows and joys and impart the instruction and inspiration they direly need. This is the duty monks should fulfil.

The Sanyasi can be likened to a species of fish. The fish moves around in the depth of the lakes; it will not be stationary at one spot. And while moving around, the fish eats up worms and the eggs of pests, thus cleansing the water. So too, the Sanyasi should always be on the move journeying into the far corners of the land. His duty is to cleanse society of evil by his example and precept. He must transform it by his teachings into a society free from vice and wickedness.