Man is like a goat tied to a pole.' Meaning, all of us have some free will but not too much. One shouldn't judge oneself harshly.
-- Masterji (Book 1)

Importance: Masterji is speaking to his daughter-in-law Sonal and quoting one of his wife's favorite sayings. She said this in particular when Masterji questioned if they had made a mistake by not taking legal action against her brothers to get back her rightful inheritance which they had forced her to relinquish. She felt that even though getting her rightful money was her desire, that her hands were tied by the legal system and it would take too much money and time to be worth it. In general, it seems she felt that people may have desires and a will, but like a goat that can only eat the grass within his circle of reach, there is always something stopping them from getting what they...