Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Having taught this, Krishna goes on to explain other worthy paths which, pursued steadfastly, will bring a seeker to equanimity and, finally, liberation.

she invited them to find a regular time to commit themselves to the truth, a time when they would endeavour to be moderate in their habits, would serve others as manifestations of the divine, and would strive for tranquility.

Deep and effective spiritual transmission, however, requires darshana, seeing and being seen by the guru.

second, the notion that there is not one way

Advaita means ‘non-duality’. Used to describe Shankara’s perspective on vedanta, it indicates the inseparability of the salt and the water in the story about Shvetaketu. To Shankara, in the 9th century ce, ultimate reality and the self were identical, and his task was to explain why people failed to realize this.

Whether a Hindu believes in an ultimate impersonal reality or a personal God has important consequences for his or her religious practice and spiritual journey.

His main claim was that the strong conviction we have that we are different from one another and from God is not false, as Shankara claimed it to be.

but many ways to liberation, with seekers finding the path most suited to their temperaments and stations.

‘That’s how you are’ is a translation of a famous Sanskrit phrase, ‘Tat tvam asi’.