If you exert force, you run the risk of breaking the twine. And in the state of Realization and Perfection, this twine must be preserved quite intact, unbroken, and free from knots along its length if the one who is realized is to be made conscious of the world and brought down for duty. The abrupt and haphazard breaking of threads here and there in the effort to disentangle the knots or the complete destruction of the threads by burning would render the realized person unconscious [of the world] and would thus make him a majzoob, as the original string of chaitanya [consciousness] would thereby be destroyed.
Giving another example, Baba continued:
If you hold an umbrella over your head on a sunny day and shout aloud, "Oh, where is the Sun? Show it to me!" — how absurd this would be! For the sun does actually exist and it shines over you and everyone, even at the time when you are shouting. It is only the umbrella held firmly in your hands that prevents you from seeing the sun.
Just as the umbrella held in your hand prevents you from looking at the sun in the sky, the "umbrella" of your sanskaras prevents you from seeing the Sun of Truth. And mark the contrast! Of what consideration is a tiny umbrella when held up against such a vast ball of light as the sun which shines upon and brightens the whole universe! And yet the umbrella does prevent the sun's rays from reaching your sight. This umbrella is held so firmly in your hands that consummate skill and great lengths of time are required for the loosening of your grip. Only the Sadguru is capable of this. Only the Sadguru can help to loosen this firm grip of yours through your absolute surrender and submission to his orders.
That day, in the course of conversation, Baba asked the mandali, "Which is the largest jail in India?" Some replied Sabarmati in Gujarat, others said Visapur Jail in Ahmednagar District, while others said Yeravda Prison in Poona.
Baba smiled and then remarked, "The human body is the biggest jail on Earth!"
Later, commenting on religion, Baba stated:
The Hindu and Muslim priests both speak against each other's religion, but do you know what religion is? Religion is a cage and the people who follow it are all birds locked up inside. It is meaningless to leave one's religion to adopt another.