There are three words, which connote obeisance in varying degrees, namely pata, nipata and pranipata. Pata means falling down. Nipata means slight fall. Pranipata means a total fall. In other words, pata signifies the paying of obeisance by bowing down; nipata indicates the touching of the Lotus Feet of the Lord with one’s head; and pranipata connotes complete prostration at the Lord’s feet - Sashtanga Namaskaram. This is a symbolic ritual exemplifying Saranagati tattva , the essence of total self-surrender. This indicates annihilation of the ego. Obliteration of all traces of egoism is the aim of pranipata.

Sarva jiva namaskaram keshavam pratigacchati - obeisance to all creatures is obeisance to God. Sarva jiva Tiraskaram Keshavam Pratigacchati - contempt of all creatures is contempt of God. Our scriptures repeatedly affirm that God dwells in every being and that He can be realised here and now. He is within the reach of all. (SSB 1979, p. 149)

Develop love. Your heart is full of love. Hrid+Daya=Hridaya. Fill the heart with compassion and share it with everyone around. Love is God. Share it with everybody; not only with human beings but also with animals and birds. That is your duty. That is your Sadhana - spiritual practice. What is the use of your doing all types of practices without this? If you have stomach ache and if you apply ointment in the eye, the stomach ache will not be cured. You will be happy if you do what you are supposed to do. You will be away from happiness if you do what you are not supposed to do. Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah - let everybody be happy. Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu - let the whole world be happy. Why? All are the very form of happiness. All are the sons of immortality. Tasmai Namaha Karmane - I pay obeisance to my work. Such noble principles are contained in the culture of Bharat. (DTB Vol.1, p. 13)