Life is a four-storied mansion. For any edifice to be strong, the foundation has to be strong. The mansion is visible to the beholders. Its architecture is attractive and pleasing. But the foundation has no such attractions. Nevertheless, the safety of the mansion depends on the strength of the foundation. Every part of the mansion may have its own attractive feature. But the foundation has no feeling of pride about being the base on which the mansion stands, nor does it desire that anyone should take notice of it. The foundation is unaffected by praise or blame. The first floor of the mansion (of life) is brahmacharya (celibacy). The second floor is the grihastha (householder) stage. The third is vanaprastha (recluse). The fourth is the stage of sannyasa (renunciant). Many persons pass through all four stages. Some go through only three of them, and some others only two. But irrespective of the number of stages, the foundation is the base. The first stage (or floor) is that of brahmacharya. Students who are in the first floor of the mansion of life have to ensure the firmness of the foundation. This foundation consists of humility, reverence, morality, and integrity. The strength of the foundation depends on these four constituents. – Divine Discourse, Feb 20, 1992.