Every being passes through the stages of birth, youth, old age and death. Childhood is spent in playing, youth in family life and old age in discharging responsibilities. One way or the other, there is mental suffering associated with each of these stages. Our attitude to life is akin to that of a tamarind. The tamarind is made up of three parts – the seed, the skin and the fruit. Similarly a human being has the gross body, the subtle body and the causal body. Suppose a raw, young tamarind is hit with a stone, the outer layer as well as the inner layer will be hurt. On the other hand, when a ripe tamarind is hit with a stone, only the outer skin breaks and the juice is available for consumption. The one with worldly associations is similar to a raw tamarind. Gradually, give up all desires, as the nature of desires is to multiply.

- My Dear Students, Vol 3, Ch 16, 'Sri Adi Shankaracharya: His Life'