A householder had great love and regard for his parents and superiors. He was disappointed with the life he was leading which left him no time for spiritual practices. One day he went to a saint and asked if he could realise God while living in the world. The saint said, “God is everywhere. You should look upon your father as the veritable embodiment of God (Narayana), and mother as the Goddess of the Universe (Bhagavati). You should regard your wife as the Goddess of fortune (Lakshmi) and your son as young Gopala (Krishna). Thus your whole family will become a family of divine beings. All that you do you should regard as being done for the divine and thus your work will be dedicated to God.” The householder followed these instructions and thus realised the Supreme Self.