Say you purchased a very expensive, beautiful watch. Daily, you take a piece of cotton and nicely polish it. Why do you do that? What is the reason? You make sure it shines and take very good care of it. (The person says because it is very expensive and because he loves it.)

It is the same with God. People with Sattvik traits (goodness and purity) are very precious and valuable, and are very hard to find. So God likes them very much. He wants them to shine! He is a washerman. So he is always washing them, He is washing away the dust from them! He doesn’t like people with Tamo and Rajo Guna as they stoop down further. So Sattvik people are always subjected to various tests.

You should feel very proud that you are eligible for that test! Dattatreya’s principle is to make such people shine better! He is actually doing you good by subjecting you to these tests. He is polishing you. You should not that think that you are being hurt or that you are undergoing pain. It is not pain. It means He considers you as great and worthy!

If God is testing you, it means He wants you! If you are not being put to test, it means God has debarred you from His class! If a teachers punishes a good student, it is purely to make them perfect, make them study and perform better. You should not feel bad about it. If you do, it means you still have some Rajo Guna left. If you are completely Sattvik, you will not blame destiny or God for the hardships you face, since you understand this principle.

If you read Swamiji’s life history, you will notice that He had to face so many difficulties and criticism throughout his childhood, for no fault of His. Even to this day, there are people who speak ill of me while I am always only praying for well being of others. I say “Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavantu” daily (May all be happy). But many people return this prayer of mine with negativity. Whom can I question? I have practised Sattvik Guna always. God likes me a lot, so makes me go through these hardships. He cajoles me once in a while also. He can scold me every day, but when He cajoles me even occasionally, it will make up for everything.

Even here, Swamiji keeps scolding and insulting some people, but again the next day or next moment I smile at them and talk to them lovingly. With this, they are very happy. It is my wish. They belong to me.

(Q&A Session 12 June 2016)