Vedanta

To the question of Janaka as to how freedom can be achieved, the answer given by Aştävakra is simple. 'Know the Self as Pure Consciousness, the unaffected witness of the phenomenal world, and you will be free' (I. 3). In reality the Self is always free; freedom is not attained, but simply realized and discovered. The impediment to selfrealization a

In so working we should never think that we can help on even the least thing in this universe. We cannot. We only help ourselves in this gymnasium of the world. This is the proper attitude of work. If we work in this

way, if we always remember that our present opportunity to work thus is a privilege which has been given to us, we shall never be atta

Fire, by itself, is neither good nor evil. When it keeps us warm we say, “How beautiful is fire!” When it burns our fingers, we blame it. Still, in itself it is neither good nor bad. According as we use it, it produces

in us the feeling of good or bad; so also is this world. It is perfect. By perfection is meant that it is perfectly fitted to meet i

It is the most difficult thing in this world to work and not care for the result, to help a man and never think that he ought to be grateful, to do some good work and at the same time never look to see whether it brings

you name or fame, or nothing at all.

only, when he has gained the power to resist, will non-resistance be a virtue.

The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam emphasizes that real nonviolence means freedom from envy. People normally equate violence with physical assault, but actually real violence constitutes any thought, word, or action that impedes the well-being of another.