Those who are ignorant of the supreme purpose of life will never be able to attain nirvana (liberation) in spite of their observance of the vratas (vows) and niyamas (rules) of religious conduct and practice of shila (celibacy) and tapas (penance).
Words can confer strength; they can drain it off; Words can gain friends; they can turn them into enemies; words can elevate or lower the individual. One must learn the habit of making one’s words sweet, soft, and pleasant.
Many people know so little what is beyond their short range of experience. They look within themselves and find nothing! Therefore, they conclude that there is nothing outside themselves, either.
The gods and demons were rivals of each other. The demons, swollen with pride, said, “In what, pray, should we place the oblation?” And they proceeded to place it in their own mouths.
