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In this episode, Swamiji emphasises the attributes of this subject knowledge as opposed to object knowledge. Unlike object knowledge that can be read and understood, subject knowledge has to be lived and discovered firsthand. Having a picture of fire cannot provide warmth; by the same token, this knowledge will not have its usefulness until realized. Once it becomes our experience, it burns off all bondages we suffer from.

This subject knowledge has been preserved by the lineage of Guru Shishya parampara. Working for the welfare of all, our Rishis have shown how society can remain on its auspicious track. Left to itself, the society will have a natural tendency to destruction because of the selfish, constricted nature of humans.

When we strive to gain this subject knowledge, we find that two kinds of forces are active within our personality – a centrifugal force takes us away from the center; and a centripetal force that brings us back to our center. Right from birth we have been “looking” outside through our senses, constantly pushed and pulled by attraction and repulsion of the world that take us away from our real identity. The purpose of spirituality is to generate centripetal force to bring us back to the real ‘I’.

Receptivity and attentivity are key to keeping this spiritual knowledge alive. Humility is a necessary quality for receptivity. An egoistic mind will not allow the knowledge to be received, just as water will not stay on a mountain top.