Each and every seemingly individual soul [ atma ] is destined to realize its One Indivisible Self. As soon as the atma begins to unfold to the first faint consciousness of its Infinite and Eternal State, it is confronted by its own shadow. The atma gets immediately lost in the consciousness of this shadow and from then on becomes involved in the interminable "play" of illusion. This hankering after play and display, show and tamasha, persists, in one form or another, throughout the soul's journey to Truth. In a child, it derives pleasure in playing with toys. As a man, it demonstrates its fondness for play through the enjoyment of sport, drama and adventure. This addiction persists even when man has embarked on the spiritual path, when he still indulges in his love for play and display by exhibiting his supernatural powers in the form of ostentatious miracles.
Unless and until man stops seeking escape from his Ultimate Destination by losing himself in the childish play of illusory pleasures, he cannot grasp spirituality seriously. It is time to stop playing with the scintillating toys of illusion and yearn for the attainment of the One and Only Reality.
After his message was read, Baba distributed prasad to the multitude. Then he proceeded to the town of Mandapeta, where another multitude had collected. The function was held in the Panchayat Library. Mr. K. Venkateswarlu gave a short introductory speech about Baba, and then Baba said:
Whether rich or poor, big or low, literate or illiterate, all of you will have me if you love me as I ought to be loved, and will find me as your own Self.
Baba proceeded to the town of Ramachandrapuram, where Bikkenna Venkata Ratnam had planned the darshan. Kutumba Sastri delivered a lecture, after which, at 4:45 P.M., Baba dictated:
What Kutumba has been saying is the outpouring of his heart. But I would like to stress this point again and again, that all these ceremonies to receive me, and all my messages, mean nothing if not practiced. God is not to be preached, but to be loved; and only those who live the life of love can know me as the Ancient One!
Baba distributed the prasad and expressed his happiness with Venkata Ratnam and his family.
Baba proceeded toward Kakinada, the last stop of his journey, reaching there at six in the evening. Baba was accommodated in Y. V. Narasimha Rao's bungalow (Dharmarao's brother-in-law) at Sarpavaram.