1. Now, I offer salutations to the virtuous ones. They are the abode of spiritual life. It is through them that the hidden Self-Knowledge gets revealed to the people.
2. Keeping the company of saints (santasanga) provides incomparable benefits. "That" which is rarely realized, and which is difficult to grasp, becomes easily realized in their company.
3. Reality is evident everywhere. However, it cannot be attained or located through spiritual practice (sadhana) or by undergoing various austerities.
4. In looking for it, many expert examiners get deceived, and even for those who have visions and mystical experiences, it is if they are blind. By the very act of looking they are missing "That" which is already the closest thing.
5. It cannot be seen with the help of a lamp, nor with any other forms of light. Even if one applies ointments to the eyes, it cannot be seen.
6. Neither the light of the moon in any of its sixteen phases, nor the extreme bright light of the sun can reveal it.
7. The sunlight can reveal the fine threads of a spider’s web, as well as microscopic particles and atoms, but it cannot reveal Reality.
8. The sunlight can reveal the split end of a hair, but not Reality. Reality can only be realized by the aspirant who keeps the company of saints.
9. It is only where arguments disappear, efforts are exhausted, and logical thinking cannot work, that That which is already one's own can be found.
10. In trying to see Reality, discrimination fails, words falter, and the faculties of the mind are of no use.
11. Even Shesha, the serpent which is the support of the world who is said to have one-thousand mouths, becomes completely exhausted while trying to describe "That."
12. The knowledge contained in the Vedas has shed light on everything. There is no greater knowledge that compares to Vedic Knowledge, yet even the Vedas cannot reveal Reality.
13. Reality becomes realized in own's own experience in the company of saints. The importance of their company cannot be expressed in words.
14. Illusion (Maya) has many strange forms and modes of expression, but it cannot say anything about Reality. Only the saints can explain the way of reaching That which is beyond Illusion.
15. Reality cannot be described with words and the saints are of the same "True Form" (Swaroopa) as Reality. Thus, it is not possible for words to describe them.
16. The saints are the abode of bliss and satisfaction itself. They are the very root of contentment. Such are the saints.
17. The saints are the tranquility of liberation, and the contentment of one's own Self. Another way of saying this is that they are the fruit of devotion. Such are the saints.
18. Saints are the true religion, which is one's own Self-religion, they are the true form of contentment, and they are the true sacred place of purity.
19. The saints are the temple of absorption (samadhi), the reservoir of the power of discrimination, and the home of "Ultimate Liberation."
20. The saints are the firm resolution of Truth, and the fulfillment of Victory. The saints are the success of the proper utilization of time. The saint's realization is the form of accomplishment itself.
21. The saints are adorned with the wealth of liberation. Because of this, they have made many poor beings rich like themselves.
22. The saints are powerful, benevolent, and charitable without limits. They are capable of giving the knowledge of inquiry and thoughtfulness that others cannot give.
23. There have been great kings and emperors in the past and now in the present, and there will be more in the future, yet none of them can ever offer liberation.
24. That Reality which cannot be found in all the three worlds (Trailokya; the waking, dream, and deep sleep states) is what the saints and virtuous men offer that no one else can give. Their greatness cannot be described with words.
25. That which cannot be obtained in the three worlds, and cannot be understood through studying the Vedas and Upanishads is the Absolute Reality (Parabrahman) which can only be realized within when revealed by the saints.
26. Such is the greatness of the saints. The more that is spoken, the more the words fall short in any attempt at some comparison. It is because of them that the revelation of the Supreme Self (Paramatman) occurs.