Mohandas Pai: Swamiji, in our lives, we are subject to so many external rules. We are told to behave in a particular manner, to live in a particular manner, to eat in a particular manner. Now do we have command over our own lives? Do we have the ability and the right to decide, what is good for us, as we seek happiness and peace in our lives?

Swamiji:  Whoever does not understand the context is bound by the rule. Whoever understands the context is empowered by the rule.

Mohandas Pai: Oh…

Swamiji: Any rule. Whether it’s a traffic rule or dressing rule or eating rule, any behavior, any rule, if we do not know the context, why it is formulated, that will be binding us. If we know, why it is formulated, 2 thing will happen –

One – Even while you follow, you will not feel you are bound. You will not be feeling bound if you stop in the red signal in the traffic rule if you know the context. While you were following, you will not feel bound.

Second – All the grey area will be your freedom. 

The freedom which comes by knowing the context is two end – One, even while you are following, you will not be bound. Second, all the grey area is your freedom. But when we don’t know the context, even while you are following, we will feel we are slaves and we do not know the grey area and we do not have the freedom or command over the grey area. At the end of the day, even Powers, is nothing but knowing the grey area of the Cosmic Rules. When we know the context, context of the Cosmic rules is Dharma. When we know the Dharma, even if you follow the rules, you will not feel bound and because you know the grey area, you know where to play. Knowing where you can play and where you need to obey, itself is a Power.