On Sankranti, it is a custom to offer a mixture of jaggery and sesame seeds (til) to all. Jaggery is sweet and is a symbol of love. Til is also known as sneha, which means friendship. Therefore, the offer of the jaggery-til mixture means offering ‘love surcharged with friendliness’ to people. The message of Sankranti is the promotion of love among one's kith and kin and friends by all of them coming together to celebrate this festival. Develop harmony towards everyone. Much of what passes for friendship today consists in associating with persons when they are affluent and benefiting from their wealth. When they are in distress, the same persons will not even look at them. This is not true friendship. True friendship must emanate from the heart and should remain unaffected by weal or woe. In fact, God alone can be an unfailing friend in all situations. He is with you, above you, below you, beside you and around you.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 15, 1992.