In 1884 the Master’s birthday celebration was postponed because of his illness; it was finally held on 25 May 1884. Seeing Bhavanath dressed elegantly, Surendra remarked: “Are you going to England?”
Master (smiling): “God is our England.”
Surendra: “On returning from the office, as I put away my coat and trousers, I say to the Divine Mother, ‘O Mother, how tightly You have bound me to the world!’”
Master: “There are eight fetters with which man is bound: shame, hatred, fear, pride of caste, hesitation, the desire to conceal, and so forth.”
Then the Master sang:
In the world’s busy market place, O Shyama, Thou art flying kites;
High up they soar on the wind of hope, held fast by maya’s string.
The Master explained: “Maya’s string means wife and children. . . . The three gunas — sattva, rajas, and tamas — have men under their control. . . . The three gunas are so many robbers. Tamas kills and rajas binds. Sattva no doubt releases man from his bondage, but it cannot take him to God. It shows him the way.”
Bhavanath: “These are wonderful words indeed.”
Master: “Yes, this is a lofty thought.” (Source: They Lived with God)