The Teaching

1. There are many types of garlands. There are garlands of leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and shells that are all held together by thread.
2. There are garlands of crystals, coins, wooden beads, fragrant pastes, gems, knitted work, and long decorative threads of symbolic stones.
3. All of these are held together by the thread. If the thread is not there everything becomes disorganized. Similarly, the Self is interwoven in all beings, but even this simile is not entirely appropriate.
4. The beads are all connected together with the thread. The thread runs through the middle of the beads, but the Self permeates everywhere. This must been seen for oneself.
5. The Self naturally has the quality of being swift. Thread does not know how to animate motion with Life-Energy. Therefore the comparison of the Self with thread does not fit and is not really appropriate.
6. There is water present in many types of vines, and the sugarcane is filled with sweet juice, however, the juice and the fibrous chaff are not the same.
7. The Self is in the body, but the body is not the Self (Atman). Beyond the Self is the Supreme Self, Paramatman. No simile can be given for that unseen Supreme Self.
8. From the king to the pauper there are many types of human beings. How can one put them all into one category and consider them to be the same in their status?
9. There are gods, demons, human beings, lowly people, lower species, villainous beings, and virtuous beings of many varieties.
10. The entire world functions with but a small fraction of the Almighty God. However, each being has different capacity. In the company of one you may become liberated, and with another, be in hell.
11. Sugar and soil are both forms of earth, yet we cannot eat soil. Poison is a form of water, but it is not water for drinking.
12. The Inner-Self is within both the virtuous person and the non-virtuous person, yet the difference between the sage and a hypocrite should not go unnoticed.
13. It is true that the Inner-Self is one, but in practical life, one does not associate with lowly people. How can scholars and mischievous boys be considered to be the same?
14. How can the human beings and donkeys, or royal swans and chickens, or kings and monkeys be considered to be the same?
15. The water of the Ganges, the water from a pond, and the waste water from the gutter are all water, but one cannot drink even a little bit of filthy water.
16. Therefore, behave in a morally pure manner, and on top of that have purity of intellect. Be detached and intelligent.
17. If a coward is given more prominence than a courageous man there will be terrible catastrophe during a time of battle. What will be the outcome if one serves a pauper rather than a rich man?
18. Many things are made from the one water element, but one must look carefully before consuming any liquid concoction. If all liquids were considered to be the same, that would be foolish.
19. Food is formed out of water, and vomit is made out of food, but one cannot make meals of vomit.
20. Similarly, one should give up and forget that which is of a lowly nature, and adopt that which is praiseworthy and hold it dear in the heart. In this way, one should fill the entire earth with one's good name and fame.
21. The best things are liked by the best people, and lowly people do not like them. Therefore, God has made such people unfortunate.
22. Give up negative qualities and keep the best qualities, such as listening to explanations about God and meaningful mythological stories, behaving with good moral conduct, and upholding justice.
23. Conducting oneself with proper discrete behavior, keep all people pleased. Step by step, continue to make them virtuous.
24. Walk with the speed of a child, and speak to the people as if they have the mind of a child and teach them slowly step by step.
25. The most important thing is to please the minds of everyone. This is a sign of true wisdom. Only the wise one knows the ways to please the minds of all. Other people act foolishly.
26. Never say to a foolish person that he is foolish, and do not speak about secrets at any time. Only then does success come to one who is desireless.
27. There are many places and many situations that occur. Outwardly, knowingly act appropriately according to whatever is required to be done. Inwardly, become one with all living beings.
28. If you keep the minds of others pleased, there is naturally a mutual relationship and sense of unity with others. If you hurt the minds of another, then the relationship becomes spoiled.
29. For this reason, one who keeps the minds of others pleased is truly a great spiritual leader (Mahanta). Many people are naturally attracted to such a person.