# 1795: The Absurdity of Imitation on the Spiritual Path

An episode of [Wisdom of the Sages](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1493055485), 21 Jul 2026, 56 min.

Audio: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/wisdomofthesages/EP_1795_A_online-audio-converter.com.mp3?dest-id=1755320

When we first find the spiritual path, we imitate. It's natural. We put on the costume before we've done the inner work. We adopt the style before we've absorbed the substance. We copy what we see in the saints and the sages — the dress, the language, the mood. But it's been said: "No man was ever great by imitation. Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble." Raghunath and Kaustubha take that insight into one of the most important questions in the Bhagavatam: how could Krishna, the original speaker and guardian of morality, have a romantic relationship with so many girls? The answer extends to reframing who we are and what our purpose in life is. On the broadest level, the material world itself is the result of us imitating the Divine. That imitation produces absurdity and suffering. Returning to our natural position can be found through bhakti. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.33.26-34 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

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