This is why Bhakthi is referred to as Upaasana, dwelling near, feeling the presence, sharing the sweetness of divinity. The yearning for Upaasana prompts you to go on pilgrimages, to construct and renovate temples, to consecrate images. The sixteen items of Upachaara (honoring) with which the Lord is worshipped satisfy the mind which craves for personal contact with the supreme, all this is Karma of a high order; they lead to Jnaana. First you start with the idea, "I am in the Light;" then the feeling "The Light is in Me" becomes established. This leads to the conviction; "I am the Light." That is the supreme wisdom.

See yourself in all; love all as yourself. A dog caught in a room whose walls are mirrors sees in all the myriad reflections, not itself but rivals, competitors, other dogs, which must be barked at. So, it tires itself out by jumping on this reflection and that, and when the images also jump, it becomes mad with fury. The wise man, however, sees himself everywhere and is at peace; he is happy that there are so many reflections of himself all around him. That is the attitude you must learn to possess, that will save you from needless bother.

Discourse, Prashanthi Nilayam, 7 July 1963