A man once lived with his wife (Purusha and Prakriti). Both loved each other very much and lived as a single entity. After some period of time, they were blessed with a child (Consciousness). This child had knowledge of everything and he was well versed in all subjects. He worked sincerely, and had a son of his own. This child was not as intelligent as his father, and he was a workaholic, always eager to work more and more. He worked much harder than his father.

Later, the son (Vishnu) had many children. The elder among these grandchildren was a simpleton, ignorant and short-tempered (Shiva). At the slightest error he would be enraged and would destroy all that went wrong. Eventually, it was the younger grandson (Brahma), who was hard working, who took over the work of expansion and created everything. The son (Vishnu) took over the responsibility of protecting this creation. The ignorant elder grandson (Shiva) was the destroyer.

The creation created by the grandson proliferated to such an extent that the Father (Brahman), the original founder, finally quieted down. First, the family ignored the Father, then they stopped respecting each other, and finally there was chaos, and anarchy. Eventually, everything was destroyed. In this story, the father represents the Self, Brahman, (the formless), and the mother represents the Prakriti, the body (manifestation). The son is Vishnu, the Consciousness, The younger grandson is Brahma, the Creator, and the elder grandson, Rudra (Shiva), is the Destroyer.

He who deliberates on and analyzes this story will be liberated from the cycle of births and deaths. This strange story unfolds continuously while moving forward, and keeps fading into oblivion. The moral of the story is that chaos prevailed because the Father (Parabrahman, The Supreme Self) was forgotten. When you focus on the creation, the worldly life, the Self is forgotten.

You must understand the shortcomings of life from this story. Only the one who uses "right thought" can uplift the world. The more he thinks, the more he progresses. When intense thinking is done, upliftment of the world is in sight. "Right thought" is the road for those pursuing the path of Knowledge. You have to seek the God who instantly fulfils your wishes.

Worship carried out in nine different ways as prescribed in Dasbodh and other ancient scriptures (Navavidha Bhakti, ninefold path of devotion) is the only job more important than what you do to earn your living. This riddle made up of many different principles has to be solved, only then can peace be obtained. Contentment can be attained by continually listening to and absorbing the Masters teachings.

The man and his wife in the above story represent the Purusha (the Self) and the Prakriti (body) who when taken as a single entity give rise to the Primal Illusion, "I Am." Then comes Lord Vishnu, the Consciousness followed by Lord Brahma, the "Inner-Mind." Next comes the intellect, which is made up of equal proportions of both Rajas and Tamas qualities. The eldest son of Lord Brahma is Rudra, forgetfulness, Ignorance. It is due to this forgetfulness that a man dies without finding a solution to these riddles. It happens with all living beings. Man dies due to Ignorance. We are entangled in this cycle of births and deaths because we do not know who we are.

Destruction is brought about either with the help of Knowledge or by lack of it. With the help of Knowledge, understand that the worldly life is merely an illusion and watch its "destruction." Concepts come to an end with the end of the search, and peace is attained. How can there be peace when there is still confusion of all the five principle elements.