“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

- Holy Bible, Luke 18.10-14.

Implied meaning:

    Here, the Pharisee sacrifices his body and wealth but develops vanity while the tax collector surrenders himself completely. Mere surrender of all possessions is insufficient; one has to surrender oneself (ego) to God to blend with Him.

    As His Holiness (H.H.) Bhaktaraj Maharaj said, “Give me your body and mind. Sacrifice of the self is more important than sacrifice of all one’s belongings. Not interfering in others’ work, being able to ignore the Great Illusion (Prakruti) is also a sacrifice. Sacrifice of intellect itself means devotion. It is Blissful in nature.”

- The Teachings of Saint Bhaktaraj.