When asked, “Who are you?” Each one of you gives out the name someone gave you years ago, or which you gave yourself! You don’t give the name associated with your life after life, that survived many deaths and births, the Atma you really are! That name you forgot; it’s enveloped by three thick veils—mala, vikshepa and avarana. Mala is the dirt of vice, wickedness, and passion! Vikshepa is the veil of ignorance which hides truth and makes falsehood attractive and desirable. Avarana is the superimposition on the eternal of the transitory, on the Universal, of the boundaries of individuality. Now, how is man to wash off or remove these three layers of dirt? By soap and water, certainly. The soap of penitence and water of conscious action will remove all taint of mala. The wavering mind that causes a frantic search for happiness from sense objects and external appurtenances will be transformed by upasana (steady worship). The Avarana veil can be torn off by acquisition of jnana which reveals Atmic essence of man, Atmic Unity of all creation. Mala is therefore removable by karma (action), vikshepa by bhakti (devotion), and avarana by jnana (knowledge). That is why Indian sages have laid down these three paths for aspirants. – Divine Discourse, Sep 30, 1968