The sages, seeking to live in harmony with the divine, asked Sutji, “O wise one, how can we align our lives with dharma and honour the deities through our daily duties? What practices lead us to peace and liberation?”

Sutji, a beacon of clarity, replied, “O sages, let me share the timeless wisdom of good living and devotion. True spiritual standing comes not from birth, but from the heart’s actions-what we call sadachara, or

virtuous conduct. A brahmana who lives with kindness and wisdom shines as a true seeker, while one who harms others falls far from the divine, no matter their title. This teaches us to walk mindfully, especially in sacred spaces, for our deeds there echo louder, lifting us higher or weighing us down.”

He continued, “Daily devotion, like the sacred fire of Agnihotra, keeps us connected to the divine rhythm. For a householder, offering simple prayers into a fire each morning and evening sustains the balance of the cosmos. A student might recite heartfelt prayers, while those in later stages of life-retirees or renunciates-can honour the divine by eating mindfully, treating each meal as a prayer. These acts, done with love, align us with the universal order, a harmony the deities uphold.”

Sutji then shared a celestial gift: “Lord Shiva, the compassionate one, created the seven days of the week, each blessed by a deity to guide us. Sunday shines with Surya’s vitality, Monday glows with Chandra’s joy, Tuesday stands firm with Mangal’s protection, Wednesday sparks with Budh’s wisdom, Thursday grows with Brihaspati’s longevity, Friday blooms with Shukra’s pleasures, and Saturday steadies us with Shani’s discipline. When we honour each day’s deity with a simple prayer, we invite their blessings into our lives-health, happiness, and freedom from fear-mirroring the cosmic dance of creation.”

He added, “Devotion takes many forms, a sacred balance of heart and action. We can chant a deity’s name, letting its rhythm fill us with peace; offer a small kindness to those in need; practice patience in our daily struggles; or reflect on timeless wisdom. When done with sincerity, these acts please the deities, who shower us with grace. And know this: all worship, offered to any deity, ultimately reaches Shiva,

for he is the heart of all divinity, blessing us according to the love in our hearts.”

Sutji concluded, “Beyond our personal practices, devotion blooms in acts of care-planting a tree, building a well, or sharing knowledge with others. These deeds nurture the world as Shiva nurtures the cosmos, weaving us into eternal harmony. Those who live this way, aligning with dharma and devotion, find joy in this life and liberation in the next. And for all who hear these words, the divine fruits of this wisdom bring blessings of peace and grace.”