It is only through action that devotion can be deepened. Action cleanses the mind and makes it fit for spiritual knowledge. Merely listening to noble thoughts (sravanam) is a thaamasik act. Recapitulation (manana) is Rajasik and complete assimilation (nidhidhyasana) is Saathwik. When you are simply listening, quietly receiving without reflecting or responding, you are dull (thaamasik). When you turn the thought over in your mind, attempting to assimilate it, then you are active (rajasik), and when you are sunk in the sweetness of experience, you enjoy pure exultation (sathwik). That Nidhidhyasana is the fruit of devotion. To overcome obstacles in the spiritual path, you must have both, Sadhana and Sankalpa – Self-effort and Divine Grace.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 18, 1964.