Acharya Prashant explains that the struggle of maintaining a false persona is not limited to friendships but extends to all relationships, including those with parents and relatives. People often cultivate specific images for different individuals—being an obedient child for parents, a studious student for teachers, or a different version for friends—driven by fear of loss or greed for benefits. This behavior is a form of internal politics and dishonesty that is often taught from childhood, where children learn to project illusions to gain favors. He emphasizes that these images are not reality and lack life. He questions why one would maintain relationships with people who only value a false image rather than the actual person. Such people are not true well-wishers because they force an individual to wear a mask, effectively enslaving them to a label like 'obedient' or 'innocent.' This pressure prevents a person from making independent or rebellious decisions that reflect their true self. Acharya Prashant advises getting rid of such people and avoiding becoming someone who forces others to live in images, as living for the sake of maintaining a reputation is a form of slavery.
