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The divine play between God and devotee involves tests to purify ego. God and devotee are ultimately one, appearing in two forms to enact a divine play. Hanuman, an incarnation of Shiva, is the perfect devotee of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu. After Rama's victory, he tasked Hanuman with remaining on Earth to protect devotees. One day, while Hanuman chanted Rama's name, he reflected on his own indispensable deeds in Rama's mission. Sensing this rising ego, Rama devised a lesson. He praised Hanuman extensively and then gave him a simple duty: to deliver a ring to a sage in the Himalayas. Hanuman journeyed there and found the sage, who instructed him to throw the ring into a water pond. When Hanuman hesitated, the sage told him to retrieve it. Hanuman found the pond filled with identical rings. The sage explained that each ring represented a past divine incarnation, and Vishnu performed similar heroic deeds through each. Hanuman's great feats were not unique but part of the eternal divine play, accomplished through divine grace. The lesson was to dissolve the devotee's ego. "Hanuman, whenever Vishnu incarnates on this earth, he has to pay the tax." "Go and say to Rāma that... 'Your duty is finished, now you can go back.'" Filming location: Wellington, New Zealand

The evergreen tree of satsaṅg is sustained by devotion, not by the number of leaves. An ancient banyan tree lamented the loss of all its leaves, feeling its accumulated wisdom would die with it. A gardener pruned its ill parts, promising new growth. By spring, the tree was full of healthy leaves, becoming beautiful and rich in companionship again. This illustrates that in satsaṅg, when people leave, they are like ill leaves ripe to fall. Remain steadfast. A gardener who made garlands was offered vast sums by a king and a merchant for a special garland meant for Gurudeva. Realizing the true value was in the offering itself, he renounced the money and offered the garland directly. He was then gifted immense wealth and a kingdom. This shows renunciation brings the true reward. Do not depend on others' presence or love. If they leave satsaṅg, they leave their own good destiny; they may return after hard experiences. Be like a tree surviving alone on a mountain, faithful in all circumstances. The mistake is thinking nobody loves you. Simply be there. "Therefore, don't worry if you have more or fewer bhaktas in satsaṅg or in class." "That's called renunciation. Renounce and enjoy the love. He is the winner." Filming location: Umag, Croatia DVD 255

The divine is beyond worldly distinctions and grants fearlessness. God is described as both merciful and without conventional mercy, existing beyond human duality. To this divine, stone and gold hold equal value, and no worldly ruler inspires fear. The devotee finds sanctuary in the Teacher and is called to live bravely, without worry. Happiness arises from meeting the Lord with joy, transcending limited identities to express universal respect. The path is one of letting go and realizing infinite joy within. "God is always happy and merciless." "Never be afraid. Fearlessly and bravely live." Filming location: Slovenia

All power lies within. Strength of will and mind is essential for self-realization and to change the world. Weakness is death, so one must pull oneself together and rise up now. Meditation and high ideals must be faced directly, never abandoned, for this leads to salvation and reveals one's true nature. An inner fire must burn to reach the goal; without it, one cannot ascend. A constant stream of conscious strength must always flow. "All powers lie within you, so start to rise up now and work it out." "Without fire, you will never get higher. If your heart does not burn, your life will never turn." Filming location: Slovenia