God is eternally happy. He is with joy and He is with love. He knows everything and yet nothing.

We have to develop compassion. Many show devotion to God and Sadguru but neglect affairs at home. Neglecting duties and serving God is incorrect. You should learn the proper balance. Be religious and yet complete your household chores.

You may have faults, your family may have faults. Serving God when neglecting home does not bring merit (punya). Consider your parents, wife and children as your Guru. That is real Guru-bhakti. Hurting your wife and loving your Guru is a sin. Please change your attitude.

First look after your home. Fulfill the needs of your family. That is your primary duty. Taking care of your family is your karma. Sanyasis have no karma as they have no family. But you are a householder. Our life should have an acceptance at home.

Sankaracharya’s mother did not want him to accept monkhood. But he convinced his mother and accepted monkhood. I too followed the instruction of my mother before becoming a saint.

You need to take care of your family as you are a debtor who has derived joy because of them. Be balanced and maintain happiness on either side. Don’t hurt anybody. Try to convince them in a slow and steady manner. You have to win their affection by giving affection, not by being abusive.

Association with Sadguru is for progress in spiritual path. It is to clear your confusions that you have a Guru. Sadguru is a formless entity. The love you shower upon your Sadguru you must also shower upon your family members. Otherwise you will incur their curse. Ultimately you will lose both Sadguru and your family. In Datta tradition it is even more important.

All Datta family members understand this. However much may be the resistance at home, shower on them love and affection. The first lesson from Sadguru is to be loving towards the entire creation. You should feel God everywhere. Sadguru’s love asks for nothing in exchange. That is why it is so original and fulfilling. Mere association brings this fulfilment.

Prahlada asks Narasimha to forgive his demon father who had tortured him. Compassion, love and affection take precedence over worship, spiritual practices and meditations. These acts are only for aiding us in concentration. Why then are you all in this room for four hours with Swamiji? So that you could be away from you bad habits of drinking, smoking and watching TV during this time. That’s all.

(Q&A session London 24 Aug 2000)