The Importance of the Body

1. Because of the body, worship of the God of Meditation (Ganesha), and reverence for the Goddess of Knowledge (Saraswati) is possible. It is only for the body that the guru, saints, sages, and listeners are important.
2. Poetry is composed and the studying and learning of many streams of knowledge are all done for the body.
3. Many texts are written, different alphabets are developed and deciphered, and many subjects are researched all for the body.
4. The great Jnanis, accomplished ones, sages, seers, and hermits are all due to the existence of the body. Because of the body, people are able to move about visiting holy places of pilgrimage.
5. Because of the existence of the body listening can take place, the mind can reflect on what has been heard, and most importantly, the Supreme Self, Paramatman can be realized.
6. The path of action, the path of worship, and the path of knowledge all exist on the earth due to the existence of the body.
7. Those who are in union with God, the detached, those who engage in Self-inquiry, and those who make many spiritual efforts are all due to the existence of the body. It is only because of the existence of the body that the Self becomes evident.
8. It is because of the body that the worldly life and the spiritual life both become worthwhile. Without the body, everything is meaningless.
9. The repetition of chants and mantras, the making and keeping of various spiritual vows, and many types of physical austerities are all due to the existence of the body.
10. Because of the body, people become virtuous or non-virtuous, uncontrolled or disciplined.
11. Because of the body, it is possible for incarnations of the Self to appear like a person is able to wear clothing. It is only because of the existence of the body that revolutions and protests can take place.
12. The enjoyment of sensual pleasures as well as the renunciation of sensual pleasures are possible only because of the body. Due to the existence of the body people get many diseases and there are many cures.
13. The nine types devotion, the four types of liberation, many skills, and many opinions are all possible because of the body.
14. Because of the body, there are charities and donations, many secrets that are kept, and people can speak of the past actions of others.
15. There are many selfish motives, many achievements, the sense of feeling blessed, as well as the sense of futility that are all due to the existence of the body.
16. There are many arts, the sense of something being special, the sense that something is lacking, and affection for the path of devotion that are all because of the body.
17. Because of the existence of the body there are many righteous paths, spiritual practices, the elimination of bondage, and liberation through self-surrender can be attained.
18. The human body is the best among all. Lord Rama dwells in the body, and because of the body it is possible to realize that he is the Inner-Self that is present in all bodies.
19. It is because of the body that some become revered and others become reviled, and because of the body a succession of many incarnations of God have appeared and passed away.
20. Because of the body there is much confusion, delusion, and misunderstanding, and it is because of the body that those who are the best people enjoy a high status.
21. Everything gets accomplished with the body, and nothing can get done without it. When the Self leaves the body it is as if it was never there.
22. The body is like a ferry that carries one beyond the world. It is the abode of many qualities, and even precious jewels have their value because of the body.
23. Singing, music and various artistic skills are all due to the existence of the body.
24. The human body is the best fruit of the universe that is very rarely obtained. It is important to clearly understand the value of the body.
25. Many activities both great and small, and many people great and small, are known only due to the existence of the body.
26. All those who have come to be born with a body have done activities in this world and have then gone away, and many have become pure through devotion to Lord Vishnu.
27. The root of the eightfold manifest creation (consisting of the five elements and the three gunas) arose in the form of an inspiration, a movement of subtle desire. Out of that original inspiration many more desires have arisen that have become manifest in the form of the fruit called the body.
28. That original desire is Lord Vishnu, who is the root of creation, as well as of that fruit called the body. This can be seen in this moment. He is the basic element that can be discovered to exist within all bodies. This can be known with certainty.
29. From the seed, the root of the plant grows. Understand that the plant is a form of water. After the plant has grown, the seed is formed in the fruit, and in that seed is contained the origin of the root.
30. Because of the root, fruits come to be formed, and because of the fruit, the root of another plant comes to be formed. Like this, the process of the creation of the world continues on.
31. Now, let what has been said about the body be enough. How can anything that needs to be done be accomplished without the body? Utilize the body in the best way that makes life meaningful.
32. The body has come into existence because of the Self, and because of the existence of the body, the Self has a place to reside. The Self and the body function very well together, and because of their union, many activities are accomplished.
33. Whatever is done secretly is known by the Self, because all activity is only his activity.
34. The Self resides in the body, and by worshipping and taking care of the body, the Self is pleased. By troubling the body, the tranquility of the Self becomes disturbed. This is evident in the moment.
35. Without the body, worship is not possible, nor can it be enjoyed. God is present in all people, therefore the best worship of God is to please the people.
36. When thoughtfulness is expressed by a sage, the establishment of religion is possible. Such virtuous bodies of the saints and sages are alone worthy of being worshipped by others.
37. If devotional worship and praise is given to everybody in the same way, this is only a display of foolishness. What can a donkey understand if devotional worship is done to it?
38. Only those who are worthy of being worshipped are to be considered as having the right to be worshipped. However, respect should naturally be shown to all, and efforts should be made to please them. It is best to try to make sure that you do not hurt anyone's mind.
39. If the one God who resides within everyone and is present everywhere in the world is made angry, where will one have any place to live? There is no other solution to this other than to be among people and to try to please them.
40. The Supreme Lord has limitless attributes. How many of his indications can be expressed to human beings? By studying spiritual texts and listening to spiritual discourse one can gain understanding.