is found lying unconscious in a gutter full of filth. An extra overdose of opium proves tragic for the addict, who loses complete control over himself, The passer-by scuffs, ridicules, points at him as a confirmed opium addict.

In the same way, a person who poses as a saint, without really being one, starts to behave in an unworthy manner after years of indulgence in addiction to over-doses of homage. With him, contrary to the opium addict, his unworthy behavior is accounted as "perfection" by his followers! When be abuses others, his words are accepted as blessings! When he beats someone, his beating is accepted as the descent of his grace! When he indulges in love-making with the opposite sex, it is accepted as pure love! In short, whatever he does, all and everything, is accepted in a spirit of reverence and love by the followers of the man who has posed as a saint. The more unruly his behavior the greater the admiration of the followers. And the greater the admiration the richer becomes the feeding of the ego of the person. Eventually, he falls from the high pedestal of admiration because, not being a genuine saint, the rich doses of admiration and reverence prove too much for the ego to digest! With the fall this "optimized" saint is ridiculed. Those very persons, who called themselves his followers, scoff and call him a fraud.

Just as an opium addict has his personal friends who extol the effect of opium and bring into their fold innocent people, so, too, a person who poses as a saint has a ring of followers who extol him and his "miracles" to attract others to their fold, Such miracles may be just coincidence, or even genuine experiences of simple and devout followers, who get desired results through their own faith in and love even for such "opiumized" saints.

One who has no authority and yet permits people to bow down to him plays a losing game, while those who bow down gain. The unburdening of sanskaras of those who bow down at his feet is the cause of his loss, for he takes on sanskaras that can only be wiped off by many more births.

The point to be considered is this; if thousands can benefit at the cost of a false saint should this person be allowed to continue?