The pleased Master showed grace to him, and thus emboldened him to put questions. Formerly the Master had put questions to Rámánanda Ray, which the latter had answered under His inspiration. So, now, inspired by the Master, Sanátan put questions, while He established spiritual truths. Then Sanátan, biting a blade of grass as a token of abjectness, clasped the Master's feet; and said, "Low-born, with low comrades, a fallen wretch, I have wasted my life, plunged in the well of vile worldliness. I know nothing of my own good or evil, but I have held as truth whatever was approved in vulgar practice. As you have graciously saved me, tell me of your grace what my duties are. Who am I? Why are the three afflictions (_tápa_) oppressing me? I know not what will do me good. I know not even how to ask about the truth of _sádhya_ and _sádhan_. Do you of your own accord, unfold all these truths to me." The Master replied, "Full is Krishna's grace to you. You know all the truths and are not subject to the three afflictions. You are strong in Krishna's strength, you know the truths already. It is the nature of _sádhus_ to inquire about what they know, only to confirm it. "You are a proper agent for preaching _bhakti_. Listen to all the truths as I tell them in due order: "The soul of man is the eternal servant of Krishna. The _tatasthá_ power of Krishna manifests differences [between the Creator and His creatures], just as a ray of the sun transforms itself into a flame of fire. Krishna has by nature three powers:-_viz._, the _chit_, the life, and the illusion powers. _Vide_ the _Vishnu Puran_ I. xxix. 50, VI. vii. 60 and 61, I. iii. 2, the _Gitá_ vii. 5 and 14, and the _Bhágabat_, XI. ii. 35. "When a creature forgets Krishna, his face is ever turned to external things, and therefore under the influence of illusion he undergoes the misery of being born in the world, now rising to heaven, now sinking to hell, just as a criminal is ducked in water by royal command.