The body is transient. The Dehi (indweller) is eternal and real. The Dehi is known as such not because it is just in a body (Deha). The entire Cosmos is the body of the Divine, and therefore the term Dehi applies to this Cosmic Consciousness. To realise the nature of this all-pervading Atma (soul), which is the unchanging reality, it is not enough to seek authority from the Shastras (ancient scriptures) alone. The Atma is not realised through the Shastras. The realisation of the Self has to be obtained on the basis of the authority of the Shastras, but through one’s own earnest Sadhana (spiritual efforts). The Vedas, Upanishads, Shastras and Puranas (ancient scriptures of spiritual wisdom, metaphysical treatises and mythological legends) all serve as signposts. They indicate the direction one should take. They show the goal that should be sought, but the journey has to be made by ourselves. – Divine Discourse, Sep 06, 1984