Today people have forgotten the spiritual, the moral and the ethical aspects of life. They are immersed in the worldly pursuits and in securing mundane benefits. There is no greatness in achieving these things. Once Sankaracharya asked his disciples what is the hallmark of greatness. Each disciple gave his own answer. One disciple said that the man who won great victories in battle is a great man. Another disciple said that man who underwent many troubles and difficulties and amassed large wealth was great. Another said that a great man was one who accomplished by determined effort what he wanted to achieve. Planting one’s flag over a territory or crossing a mighty ocean were mentioned as marks of greatness. Ultimately Sankara gave the answer that he alone is great who has mastery over his mind. (SSS Vol.29, p. 62)

You should know that you are born to achieve great and stupendous tasks in life. You are children of God, heroes in action, great soldiers of the Kali, full of compassion and divine love, and resolved to make divinity resound with success in the world. (WLMG, p. 194)

What is this Man-Ager? First is man. Who is man? If one has proper hands and legs, is he a Man? The proper study of mankind is man. That means the unity of thought, word and deed. You must inquire clearly as to what is the greatest of all things in this world? Mind is fastest of all things. But what is greatest and biggest? What is the best of all things? Character. What is the easiest of all things? Teaching is the easiest of all things. What is the most difficult of all things? Putting into practice. Teaching is easiest. But practice is toughest. What is the greatest of all things? Knowing one’s own Self is greatest of all things.

Biggest of all things is sky. Fastest of all things is the mind. Best of all things is character. Easiest of all things is teaching. Most difficult of all things is practice. Greatest of all things is to know one’s own Self. (M, p. 117)