21-8-46 Afternoon

A visitor from Bengal asked Bhagavan, "Shankara says
we are all free, not bound, and that we shall all go back to God from whom we have come as sparks from fire. Then, why should we not commit all sorts of sins?"

Bhagavan: It is true we are not bound, i.e., the real
Self has no bondage. It is true you will eventually go back to your source. But meanwhile, if you commit sins, as you call them, you have to face the consequences of such sins. You cannot escape their consequences. If a man beats you, then, can you say, `I am free, I am not bound by these beatings and I don't feel any pain. Let him beat on?' If you
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can feel like that, you can go on doing what you like. What is the use of merely saying with your lips `I am free?'

The visitor also asked, "The books mention several
methods for Self-realisation. Which is the easiest and best?"

Bhagavan: Several methods are mentioned to suit several
minds. They are all good. You can choose whatever method appeals to you best.

Later, Lakshmi (Sambasiva Rao's sister) read before
Bhagavan a few Telugu songs composed by her for Bhagavan's Golden Jubilee. Bhagavan came here fifty years ago on Navami tithi  following Gokulashtami ^[?] and, as this is Navami ^[?], the Golden Jubilee of his arrival according to tithi ^[?] will be today, and hence she thought her songs could most appropriately be sung today. She began, however, reading in such a low key that after a few minutes Bhagavan asked her, "Are you able to hear it yourself?" Somebody suggested Nagamma might read the verses instead and so N. read them out aloud.

This morning, Mr. Somasundaram Pillai brought his
wife's verses and mine, which he got printed at Conjeevaram and showed to Bhagavan a copy of each set. Bhagavan perused them and said, "The paper is thick and good." Then I explained, "These are the copies to be laid at Bhagavan's feet. The other copies are printed on slightly inferior paper."

On 23-8-46 morning I left for Madras to attend the
marriage of my daughter's son on the 28th inst. and returned on the 30th evening.